Philosophers have theorized that the soul is shapeless, but if art is the window to the soul, then it's safe to assume that the soul is made of hardened macaroni shells and lopsided popsicle sticks. Let the soul speak for itself with today's Groupon: for $15, you get an evening adult art class at Canvas & Conversation (a $30 value), located on Highway 41.
Canvas & Conversation's classes invite aspiring artists to unleash their creativity on class-provided 16"x20" canvases, eventually completing a painting that they'll take home. Each class focuses on a different painting, which will be recreated by painting pupils as they follow the lead of an experienced instructor, learning the step-by-step essentials of perspective, horizon, and realism. Armed with an easel, apron, canvas, brushes, and paints, modern Monets and retro-fitted Renaissance enthusiasts coat, cover, and compose for two hours. Throughout the process, painters will encourage each other as their blank canvases blossom into colorful depictions, lively landscapes, and metaphoric interpretations of Einstein's patented space-time theory. Finished paintings are the students' to keep and take home.
Canvas & Conversation encourages camaraderie and artistic contribution, hosting additional camps, children's classes, and participating in charity organizations such as the American Cancer Society. Although famous artists have been known to starve, students are encouraged to bring food and nonalcoholic drinks to the studio to eat, share, or use as hyper-textural symbolism.
Canvas and Conversation
The daughter of a retired administrator, Renee Rayles grew up learning the importance and pleasure of helping others learn. Harnessing her artistic bent, she decided to open a studio that would help anyone create handsome paintings regardless of previous experience. During evening lessons, private parties, and camps, Rayles and her cadre of helpful instructors guide students step by step as they copy a previously chosen work, adding personal touches to create take-home works of art that spruce up living rooms and distract guests from sentient houseplants.
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