Professional artist Sheila Parsons has worked with all ages – from kindergarten to nursing home status in drawing, watercolor and acrylic painting. She is comfortable with teenagers and little children as she demonstrates the magic of making art before their very eyes and then allows them hands on experiences. Her main media as a professional has been watercolor, but she has worked in almost all the media. Teens might paint or do personal “self portraits” with words and collage elements making panels that will tell them who they were at 15 and 16 when they are middle-aged. Little ones might make life size paper dolls of themselves and then write stories or make up plays to accompany the experience. Adults can further or begin their skills with pencil and brush and paint in her positive and encouraging classroom.

Sheila stresses the basics of making art in ways that the children and young adults are often unaware that they are learning about design and composition, color harmony, contrast and perspective.

In 1996 Sheila was named the Outstanding Individual Artist in the Arkansas Governor’s Awards.  Two years later Faulkner County arts council honored her with the ‘Lifetime Achievement in the Arts’ designation. Sheila says these awards were very gratifying, albeit unexpected, however her greatest delight in teaching is seeing her students’ faces when they begin to really “see”.  “I really want to PAY IT FORWARD!” 

Exhibition – a secure well-lit environment. Workshop - room with table space for students and teacher. Classroom presentations - a wheeled cart or assistance.