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Estuary Arts Centre in Ōrewa has a large programme of classes for anyone who wants to develop their artistic side. Here are a few that are new this term:
Decorative dolls
Tilda style dolls have been popular with crafters and sewers around the world, since they were first introduced by Norwegian Tone Finnanger 24 years ago. Claire Bégin wants everyone in her eight-week Estuary Arts class to come away with a doll they have made from scratch, then decorated to their own taste and style. These are not so much dolls you play with – they are designed to be displayed around the home. The bodies are made of calico, then dressed and accessorised. Claire says making each one unique is the fun, creative part – her dolls include one in a 19th Century dress and one with a musical theme. Some sewing experience is needed. The class is called Tilda Style Rag Doll with Claire.
Get started with acrylics
Beginner painters often start with acrylics, and, while this is a fairly user-friendly medium, according to acrylic tutors Iona Breinhorst and Kate Jones, there are tricks of the trade that make the whole process more satisfying.
With that in mind, Iona and Kate have two new courses for beginner acrylic painters starting this term at Estuary Arts.
Silverdale resident Iona has been painting since childhood and says the aim of her course is to be casual, informative and encourage the enthusiasm of new painters. As well as colour theory, her course will look at giving painters the confidence that comes from knowing some key basics.
Iona says while acrylics are fun to use, new painters can wonder why what they are doing is not working – it can be discouraging.
“I want them to get some joy out of it,” she says.
Kate Jones of Wainui agrees that building confidence is key for new painters.
As often happens, art took a back seat to other aspects of Kate’s life for many years, and the former university lecturer says when she started taking it more seriously, around six years ago, she was nervous about attending classes.
“I had no idea about colour and thought I couldn’t draw, but had really good teachers at Estuary Arts, who built my confidence,” she says. “There are techniques that I learned from many workshops and courses –it’s not always totally intuitive. It can be a process of steps and there is a lot to learn – mixing colours, for example. I tried figuring it out at home, from books, but things go wrong and you end up painting over. Some of the videos on YouTube are good, but a class is invaluable for individual attention and learning.”
She says doing things together is also more fun, and the classes will involve plenty of actual painting.
Both Kate and Iona have exhibited and sold work through Estuary Arts in recent years.
These courses are called Introduction to Acrylics and Colour Theory with Iona and Beginners Acrylics with Kate Jones.
Info on all courses: estuaryarts.arlo.co/w/courses
Art starter
Marie McGregor attended the Seasons Art Class in Red Beach at the end of 2021 and, as she says, “I loved it so much I bought the business”!
She has always been creative, but had never really learned to draw, and she took the Red Beach classes to help with that. The class is for anyone who wants to develop their artistic talent.
Marie ran three classes last year and says many who attended last did art in school, or have had it as a sideline for years but want to learn more. Sometimes it’s on their bucket list. There are other reasons too.
“It can improve mental health, is a social thing, stress release, time out, to reconnect with people,” Marie says. The 14-week classes start with pencil, then pastel, watercolours and acrylics.
At the end there is an exhibition at the class venue, Red Beach Surf Club. “At the start, people are nervous, but want to have a go. And I was exactly the same – art is a learned skill, you just need the right tuition.
Just start, is my advice.” Info: email marie@seasonsartclass.co.nz
