I’m using DecoArt Traditions acrylic paints with artist grade pigments and their acrylic mediums.  I got a larger OTT lite and love using it.

Painting Table

Let’s Paint! Woodcrafts
Sharon March
(250) 213 – 9652
E-mail: sssmarch@live.ca
http://www.facebook.com/sharonmarch

Located in Langford, B.C.

Discover your artistic talents! Over 300 Painting Classes Acrylic, Oils, Bob Ross Style Oils, Ink & Oil Rouging & more… Create a new hobby for yourself! Sells DecoArt acrylic craft paints, Jo Sonya acrylics, Bob Ross oils, Mary Owens’ pen & ink patterns, decorative painting books, etc.

Let me know if you find something in Victoria, B.C.!

This is still a work in progress but here are some places to check out for classes and supplies:

STORES/SCHOOLS:

Through the Garden Gate
Surrey, B.C.
Unfortunately the shop is closed, the owners have retired.

Beyond Borders Designs Studio
Surrey, B.C.
www.onestrokepainting.ca
Learn Donna Dewberry’s One Stroke painting technique. Local classes, travel seminars and certifications. Taught by Barb Fortier, Canada’s Certifying Elite Director.

To find a certified one stroke instructor near you, click here.

TIGGY’s at crescent, school of art
Surrey, B.C.
www.tiggys.ca
Jackie offers various art classes, decorative painting workshops, and drawing classes.

Michaels Arts and Craft Stores
www.michaels.com
Check out your local Michaels stores for One Stroke, cake decorating, card making, scrapbooking, beading, knitting, and kids’ classes etc… They have monthly class demos/previews so you can see what some of the classes are about and ask the teacher a few questions. Pick up a class calendar to see what other demos are being offered. Check your local newspapers for their flyer and 40% off coupon. You can also receive their coupons by email by signing up for their email newsletter. They now have an iphone app showing the coupons.

HOME STUDIOS:

Cactus Station
Cloverdale, B.C.
www.cactusstation.com
Art classes are offered at Carolyn’s home studio. Plus, she teaches the Traditions Education program and does custom work cutting. You can also purchase DecoArt Tradition paints and mediums from her.

Kanaka Creek Tole
Maple Ridge, B.C.
Not sure, Not sure if this studio is still open as the web site is no longer up. They used to offer decorative painting classes, acrylic, watercolour, pen and ink, oil rouging, one stroke painting and more.

Neadeen Masters, CDA
Country Carousel Art Studio
Kelowna, B.C.
www.neadeenmasters.com
Neadeen is one of the Heritage Artists for the DecoArt Traditions Education Program, traditionsartschool.com. This program is amazing and will take you on a journey to become an independent artist. This program creates the bridge to the fine art of decorative painting. Neadeen teaches online art classes at artapprenticeonline.com and traditionsartschool.com. Click on the photo below to go to the Art Apprentice Online web site:

Rae Pawlowski
Maple Ridge, B.C.
http://www.maryowensdesigns.com/maple-ridge-bc-rae-pawlowski-a-246.html
Rae is a Mary Owens Certified Instructor and teaches oil roughing classes. She also teaches other classes at Kanaka Creek Tole and Cactus Station.

Bobbie Crane
Lac la hache, B.C.
Not sure if she is still teaching, her website isn’t up anymore.

Linda Lock, CDA
Country Wood Publishing Inc.
White Rock, B.C.
www.lindalock.com
Linda uses different fine art and mix media techniques.

Other:

Dogwood Artists Guild
Dogwood Artists Web Site and Blog
They meet monthly at Queen’s Park in New Westminster, B.C., every 3rd Tuesday, but not for the summer in July and August. Annual member dues are $25/year. They have an annual Christmas sale, Christmas dinner, picnic in June, demos, workshops at Cactus Station in Cloverdale, B.C., offer a selection of decorative painting books and videos to borrow and have a yearly retreat in April at Camp Squeah in Hope, B.C.

Online Classes:

Art Apprentice Online

I’m currently enrolled in classes at Art Apprentice Online. I highly recommend the teachers. They offer a great selection of high quality classes!

DAIC – Decorative Artists in Canada
www.daic.ca/
Since CDAN (Canadian Decorative Artists Network) closed down, DAIC was started to continue inspiring and promoting decorative arts and artists in Canada. Membership is free. Meet others in the yahoo group, take online classes etc.

Society of Decorative Painters
www.decorativepainters.org/
There is a great annual conference offering classes each year. They have certifications for CDA (Certified Decorative Artist), MDA (Master Decorative Artist) or TDA (Teacher of Decorative Art). The magazine is filled with tutorials, techniques patterns and articles. They also have an online version of the magazine in .pdf format. You can save the files to your computer, save paper and storage space too.
Click here for annual membership fees. They have new member referral contests throughout the year, let them know I referred you

Happy Painting!

Do you feel like you can’t even draw a stick man or just want to create something? Then you might want to try OneStroke or decorative painting. Painting is taught step by step, from simple to advanced artist techniques. You can try a variety of designs, learn the history of various art forms, learn from different teachers and just have fun painting!

So have a look around and I hope you sign up for a painting class in your area. Just remember to relax, enjoy the journey and be open to some great aha moments!

To contact me, email info@cathypretorius.com

In addition to enjoying arts and crafts, my husband and I love visiting Hawaii. We normally stay in a vacation rental which has many benefits over staying in a hotel. Here is a great web site to research Hawaii vacation rentals. Deciding which Hawaiian island to visit for your first trip can be a difficult decision. Incredibly, every Hawaiian island is wonderful so don’t worry about which one you pick.