Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Bushes 'n Brix owner Barb Newby inspires creativity in students
The Waitsburg Elementary School fourth grade class proudly displays their sunset silhouette paintings.
A group of girls concentrate as they unleash their creativity to find their own unique interpretation of the project.
Art instructor Barb Newby demonstrates how to layer paint colors to achieve richness and depth in a painting.
WAITSBURG – Several Waitsburg teachers had so much fun attending painting classes at Brushes 'n Brix that they decided to bring share the experience with their students. The elementary school teachers used ASB funds to bring art instructor Barb Newby to Waitsburg to spend two days creating works of art with Kindergarten through fifth grade students.
Newby said several of the Waitsburg teachers had painted at her studio, located at the Walla Walla Regional Airport, and had even brought in their own children to paint with them.
"They asked if I would be interested in coming to Waitsburg and, of course, I jumped at the chance. I had so much fun painting with these kids. They are awesome!" she said.
Newby says she especially loves painting with children because they are free to express themselves and when you offer a suggestion they are thrilled to try it. "Most kids paint faster than adults and I have to work at keeping ahead of them," she said.
Newby said it was "a wonderful challenge" to come up with a themed series of paintings for all the grades. She settled on fun, colorful sunsets, with silhouetted objects, except for the kindergarten class, which painted a ladybug in the grass.
The students learned how to blend colors, how to use a paint brush, different strokes, and about acrylic paints. Newby said the students were excited about the challenge and the fact that each grade painted something different.
Fourth grade teacher Deanna Coulston agreed. "We as a staff are always looking for ways to bring new experiences to the students at our elementary school. Bringing Barb proved to e a wonderful opportunity to present our students with a fun art experience that left them feeling proud of their accomplishment. It was fun to see their creativity and uniqueness displayed on canvas.
"The kids loved painting with me and wished they could have done more than one painting. I received a lot of high fives, hugs, and one thank you painting," Newby said.
Brushes 'n Brix offers a variety of painting classes and hosts many types of parties. Children are welcome at any times except Friday and Saturday nights. Newby also offers an Open Paint Day the third Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. where everyone can choose what they would like to paint and everyone does something different.
"The classes are relaxing and fun. And you don't have to know how to pain!" Newby said. Learn more at http://www.brushesnbrix.com or visit Newby on Facebook at Brushes 'n Brix, where you can see recent paintings, including those of Waitsburg students.
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