Maureen is now a certified... Alexander Art Instructor

My name is Maureen Hummel and I’m a painting addict. 

I live on a farm in Rose Prairie, BC and am surrounded by natural beauty.  I spent several years of my life living in the mountains of southern BC and have developed a deep appreciation of the amazing natural beauty of this province.   Not only do I appreciate what is right around me, I also appreciate the beauty in other provinces and countries. 

I’ve always wanted to be able to capture that natural beauty on canvas, but never for a minute thought I could do it.  My mom had dabbled in oil painting a few years back.  She watched Bob Ross on TV and actually did some nice paintings.  Mom was always the “crafty” one of the family.  I never considered myself particularly “crafty” and couldn’t draw a stick man to save my life.

A chance encounter with Donna Folk (Bob Ross and Alexander Art Certified Instructor) at a craft show changed  everything.  I was at the Peace Country Craftsman’s Association annual November pre-Christmas craft show selling soaps and lotions that I make myself.  Donna was there with her paintings.  I kept going back to look at the paintings because they were beautiful.  Donna told me she could teach me to paint those paintings.  I didn’t believe her.

Well, long story short, I decided that “what the heck” I might as well sign up for a class.   I did the first oil painting of my life on January 4, 2007.  I was hooked.  I signed up for a whole bunch more classes.

Somewhere along the way between classes and painting at home I learned enough that I was able to become an assistant for Donna’s classes.  Assisting in classes taught me even more.  Then this past spring (or was it winter, time do fly when you’re having fun) Donna asked me if I’d thought of becoming an instructor.  Well that put a little bug in my ear and I decided to become an Alexander Art certified instructor.  I could see the pleasure Donna got from teaching people to create their own masterpieces.  I also saw the pleasure and excitement in the students when, at the end of a class, they could go home with a painting they had done themselves. 

I feel that a painting that “speaks” to you will draw you into it, tell a story and evoke an emotional response.  I love capturing stories on canvas.   

When I complete the  requirements to become a certified instructor and receive my certification I plan on pursuing even more training.  To that end I am attending a 5 day painting seminar in Silver Falls State Park in Oregon with several different master artists.  I really look forward to taking my skills to higher level and being able to pass them on to students.