Besides teaching classes in local restaurants, I also travel to homes and for private parties. I address the most frequently asked questions here. Please READ THIS! It more efficient if you read through the information below, make sure it all sounds good to you, then e-mail me anytime at chrysalis74@gmail.com or message me on Free To Be Art’s facebook. We then will work together to set up a date and time that works for both of us.
Details! Details! Please make sure that your guests know the time that we will begin painting because we all really need to start at the same time. It’s really hard to play catch up and I charge $25 per half hour starting when we go over 2 hours from the time you designated your class to start at. I do not count my set up or clean up in that 2 hour time period.
A lot of people ask, “What do I need to do to have a private painting class?” Since my minimum is 8 participants, the first thing to do is find 7 or more interested painters. If you have 7 friends, relatives or kids over 10 years old, you have yourself the makings for a private party in your own location. My maximum number is 44 painters. We can paint anywhere with tables (and coverings if you require them) & chairs, which, besides the painters, access to water and 2 electrical outlets not on the same breaker (we use hair dryers in just about every class and yes I bring them!), is the only thing you need to provide. We can paint in places other than home that you have access to, such as churches, restaurants or coffee shops, with their pre planned permission of course!
IMPORTANT! Acrylic permanently stains fabrics, including carpet, but wipes off of tables, chairs and hard surfaces. Dried acrylic can easily be peeled or scraped off of hard surface if you find some after the party. Please let your guests know that acrylic stains clothing and to dress for the mess! I bring aprons but they don’t cover everything.
When planning for how many people can sit at a table keep in mind, people need a bit more space than they do to eat a meal and that no ones back can be to me depending on where you plan for me to teach from. I like to give each person about two feet of width and depth at a table so they have space to work in.
I require a $100 deposit which can be applied toward your class cost. Most classes in the gallery are $30 per person. I require 2 weeks notice if you cancel a private class and want to be refunded. On the day of the class, it is up to the host of the party to collect all participants payments, subtracting the $100 deposit made and pay the balance me in cash, Venmo or Cash App the day of the class.
Another question I hear often is, “What do I need to supply for the painting party?” and “Can we drink?” Both great questions. You supply and set up prior to my arrival all the tables, table coverings, chairs and painters, and I bring everything else, including paper towels, water cups, aprons and of course the canvases, easels, paint and brushes. Feel free to offer whatever beverages you like at your private party! But please be done with all full meals by 30 minutes prior to my set arrival time (usually 30 minutes). Snack the night away all you want, I just can’t set up to paint when folks have full meal type dinners because that’s where we need to set up the easel & canvas.
Many people are surprised to hear that I don’t charge to travel within the Portland area. I charge $1 per mile round trip to travel outside of a 15 mile radius of my home studio in Milwaukie. Most of the time I am booked about a month or two out.
“Can I choose my own painting?” Yes!! That is the best part! Choose from the gallery , or most paintings you may have seen on the Free To Be Art Facebook Page. Just make sure to grab a screenshot or get the title of the painting for me.
I love teaching Couple’s Classes and having Birthday Parties as well. Email me to set up your Free To Be Art class at chrysalis74@gmail.com. Text or call 503-957-1026.
**If you are a business wanting to partner and have a class at your location contact me via above so we can see if our businesses are a good match.
Here I am doing a birthday party, what a great experience this was for all of us!