Hey there, I’m Kerry the founder of Creative Beginnings a bit over 4 years ago, I’ve been an artist for forever but didn’t recognise it until about 5 years ago! After a break from painting when life got really busy as a single Mum, it had been years since picking up a paint brush, one of my good friends invited me to her art group where she taught a few friends. I’d always wanted to join an art class but was so self conscious and thought I wasn’t good enough, have you ever felt this way?? Anyhoo, loved it completely and just like riding a bike my paintbrush just knew what to do, so much so that I couldn’t wait to return each session, its unthinkable now how scared I was to just join in.
A little history
A year later while working in aged care my Fleurieu clients lost their artist due to retirement and there was noone to fill the role, I knew the importance for those clients so I put my hand up to help them by facilitating their groups once a week, the alternative was to close the groups.
It was here I began teaching art, the lovely clients begged for guidance each week, it came easy to me as I just showed them how I did things and shared what I’d learnt. We had such a beautiful time and many giggles, here I saw first hand the benefits of art with their wellbeing. Ranging between age 70 to over 90, some of the recipients had significant medical conditions and some were carers, some new to painting and some just like me reconnecting back to art.of It was so inspiring seeing them coming along to learn, it’s never too late you know!
The Stories
One gentleman age 92 had always wanted to paint as his Mother was a painter, he had Parkinsons and I must admit I was a little nervous at his first session, I had nothing to fear though, he took to it like a pro and swore to me he’d never painted before, surprisingly with his paint brush on the canvas he had great control and his tremor almost disappeared, he loved it and bought all the things to paint at home too.
Often I saw carers coming into the space stressed and wound up, it didn’t take long for them to relax into the room, it was a joy to see almost a wave of relaxation wash over them when they gave in to their creativity.
One of my favourite clients was a sweet lady who had significant memory loss and some vision concerns, her very first painting was almost a black canvas, she returned each week and over time created her own style using colour and paint strokes that blended to abstract designs, you can see two of them on the 1st pic below 1 and 9. You could just see she loved painting.
The groups built in confidence and with a little encouragement we created a joint SALA project in 2nd year for each group, they were called the ‘Windows of the World’ pictured are both, our focus was on the sky and they all did a stellar job, I can’t say the same for my dodgy framing!!
Here the seed was sown to bring my passion to connect all people with their inner artist and Creative Beginnings grew.
The Studio
It started with Resinart in my little home studio, haha the first session still shared a bed in half of the room, it grew and grew and my room became much more purpose built. (I could still use more space today though!)
Our workshops offer a safe space, where you’ll be fully guided to create an artpiece to be proud of, Did you know creativity is known to increase our brain function, reduce stress & improve overall wellness ????
Art to me is my personal therapy, there’s something amazing when we step into our creativity, we find a sense of peace, my stresses disappear for a while and give me a bit of respite from the hustle & bustle. It is known that Creativity can increase our brain function, reduce stress & improve overall wellness ????
Based in McLaren Flat, South Australia, specialising in teaching art to beginners & connecting those who just love to paint with a group of like minded people! My mission is to have workshops that are a safe space for all, we have fun, it’s a welcoming and encouraging environment, a space to experiment with your own creativity, who knows where it may lead.
I deliver a range of mediums as I truly love them all Resin Art ????Watercolours ???? Oils ???? Acrylics ???? and Inks ???? with me you can trial them all & find your favourite!
The other workshops I offer are mobile, Sip & Create, Painting parties, Painting tuition 1:1, Workplace Wellbeing Program, NDIS creativity support.
Connect with me on Facebook to see the creations from my workshops … https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativebeginningsart
Bye for now
Kerry Mart
