“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!’” Robin Williams
Spring is finally here! This is my favorite time of the year, when plants and trees are beginning to grow their vivid green sprouts, colorful flowers, and leaves. When spring begins, the energy rises, and the inspiration flows. Some of the many reasons why I usually have a variety of art classes, art shows, and art events in the calendar for the season. In this issue, you’ll find an upcoming Art Exhibit, as well as many Art Classes this spring and summer, for all different age groups, from adults, to teens, to kids, a Summer Art Camp, and another fun Parent & Me class!
Let’s start with my next Solo Art Exhibit, that you’ll find new original works of Rachel’s Whimsical Art, and many treasures on Friday, June 2nd, 6-9pm, at The FAB Studios, #201 Gallery, 314 East Holly Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225. Everyone is welcome to join and visit the art show, along with 12 other artists in The FAB Studios building, that's a part of the monthly Bellingham Downtown Art Walk.
Along with my original mixed-media art in the solo-show, you’ll also be able to see and find Magical Shadow Boxes, art prints, cards, stickers, magnets, surprise art kits, mini-paintings, jewelry, sparkling forest growth, interactive art, winged animals, UV-lights glowing art, the Transcendence Phoenix, kids magical wands, and some fun mermaid or fairy headpieces to wear!
Let’s start with my next Solo Art Exhibit, that you’ll find new original works of Rachel’s Whimsical Art, and many treasures on Friday, June 2nd, 6-9pm, at The FAB Studios, #201 Gallery, 314 East Holly Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225. Everyone is welcome to join and visit the art show, along with 12 other artists in The FAB Studios building, that's a part of the monthly Bellingham Downtown Art Walk.
Along with my original mixed-media art in the solo-show, you’ll also be able to see and find Magical Shadow Boxes, art prints, cards, stickers, magnets, surprise art kits, mini-paintings, jewelry, sparkling forest growth, interactive art, winged animals, UV-lights glowing art, the Transcendence Phoenix, kids magical wands, and some fun mermaid or fairy headpieces to wear!
Art Workshops for Spring & Summer!
View the list of Art Classes below and you can see all the details to Register on the Classes page of my site.
Recycled Books into Art - Teens and Adults, April 15th @MoNA
Parent and Me: Mini-Poloroid Painting, 1 Adult + Child, May 13th @Gallery Syre
Wooden Earrings Art Workshop - Teens Edition, May 20th @Jansen Art Center
Art that GLOWS! Painting Party - Adults, June 17th @Allied Arts Gallery
Rainbow Art & Dance Summer Camps - Kids 5-8, July 5-7th, and Kids 6-12 years, July 10-13th @Unique Technique Dance
Recycled Books into Art - Teens and Adults, April 15th @MoNA
Parent and Me: Mini-Poloroid Painting, 1 Adult + Child, May 13th @Gallery Syre
Wooden Earrings Art Workshop - Teens Edition, May 20th @Jansen Art Center
Art that GLOWS! Painting Party - Adults, June 17th @Allied Arts Gallery
Rainbow Art & Dance Summer Camps - Kids 5-8, July 5-7th, and Kids 6-12 years, July 10-13th @Unique Technique Dance
Recycled Book Art Workshop at MoNA!
April 15th, 12:00-2:30pm
Age: 14+ to Adults
Location: Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA), 121 First Street LaConnor, WA 98257
Register: https://www.monamuseum.org/
In this exciting mixed-media art class, students will find out all about how to recycle an old book into art from art teacher Miss Rachel, using a wide variety of art techniques, materials, tricks, and textures into the hardbound book. Learn how to transform a discarded worn book into a creative work of art that encompasses a theme and utilizes a variety of media and techniques. You can make your altered book into an art journal, writing journal, photo album, or a scrapbook!
Description: A hands on workshop showing how to resuse old books into art and journals with various techniques of how to add texture, design, with mixed-media. You will get to take home your very own altered book to continue to work on and use at the end of the class.
Registration: https://www.monamuseum.org/
Age: 14+ to Adults
Location: Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA), 121 First Street LaConnor, WA 98257
Register: https://www.monamuseum.org/
In this exciting mixed-media art class, students will find out all about how to recycle an old book into art from art teacher Miss Rachel, using a wide variety of art techniques, materials, tricks, and textures into the hardbound book. Learn how to transform a discarded worn book into a creative work of art that encompasses a theme and utilizes a variety of media and techniques. You can make your altered book into an art journal, writing journal, photo album, or a scrapbook!
Description: A hands on workshop showing how to resuse old books into art and journals with various techniques of how to add texture, design, with mixed-media. You will get to take home your very own altered book to continue to work on and use at the end of the class.
Registration: https://www.monamuseum.org/
Parent & Me - Mini Polaroid Paintings @Gallery Syre!
Art Teacher: Miss Rachel Simpson
Date: Saturday, May 13th, 12:30-3:00pm
Students: 1 Adult (parent/guardian) & 1 Child, Ages 6-16 years old
Location: Gallery Syre, 465 West Stuart Rd. Bellingham, WA 98226
Registration: $55.00 Each Pair (1 Adult + 1 Child) includes art supplies. Please Note “Parent & Me”, with your Names when you Register via PayPal (There will be information sent via Email to you about the upcoming class.)
Let’s get nostalgic and be inspired by some fun old-school style of Polaroids to make your own series of 4 Mini-Paintings in this class, taught by Miss Rachel Simpson, for a Parent and your Child Artist! You can choose if it will be Landscapes, Star-Scapes, Night Skies, Aurora Borealis, add some happy Trees or other things within nature's beauty. We’ll draw in pairs of 2 in a collaboration, the sketches of what you want to have in your pictures, cut out paper, and use both Watercolors and Acrylic Paints, to experiment with and have fun together! All Art Supplies are provided with registration. Be sure to Dress for Mess! (Note: Bring inspirational photographs, and if you happen to have any Polaroid Photos or this kind of Camera, please bring them in to share!)
Date: Saturday, May 13th, 12:30-3:00pm
Students: 1 Adult (parent/guardian) & 1 Child, Ages 6-16 years old
Location: Gallery Syre, 465 West Stuart Rd. Bellingham, WA 98226
Registration: $55.00 Each Pair (1 Adult + 1 Child) includes art supplies. Please Note “Parent & Me”, with your Names when you Register via PayPal (There will be information sent via Email to you about the upcoming class.)
Let’s get nostalgic and be inspired by some fun old-school style of Polaroids to make your own series of 4 Mini-Paintings in this class, taught by Miss Rachel Simpson, for a Parent and your Child Artist! You can choose if it will be Landscapes, Star-Scapes, Night Skies, Aurora Borealis, add some happy Trees or other things within nature's beauty. We’ll draw in pairs of 2 in a collaboration, the sketches of what you want to have in your pictures, cut out paper, and use both Watercolors and Acrylic Paints, to experiment with and have fun together! All Art Supplies are provided with registration. Be sure to Dress for Mess! (Note: Bring inspirational photographs, and if you happen to have any Polaroid Photos or this kind of Camera, please bring them in to share!)
Teens Wooden Earrings – May 20th @JAC!
1-Day Workshop with Rachel Simpson
Location: Jansen Art Center, 321 Front Street, Lynden, WA
Students: Teens, Ages 13-18
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023, 1:00–2:30pm
Price: Members: $41.40 or Non-Members: $46
In this brilliantly bright art class, at the Jansen Art Center, (JAC) students will learn how to personalize their very own set of earrings. Miss Rachel Simpson, the art teacher will demonstrate how to create and paint the earrings. Students will dream up their design and use wooden circles or ovals as the base of the earrings. The earrings will be painted in the pointillism style. Pointillism is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots or strokes of color are applied to a surface form an image. Students will then draw and paint their design onto the earrings. We will use special inks and neon colored paints to really make those earrings GLOW!
Students will leave class with their very own pair of hand-painted earrings or the earrings can be worn separately as necklaces.
Location: Jansen Art Center, 321 Front Street, Lynden, WA
Students: Teens, Ages 13-18
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023, 1:00–2:30pm
Price: Members: $41.40 or Non-Members: $46
In this brilliantly bright art class, at the Jansen Art Center, (JAC) students will learn how to personalize their very own set of earrings. Miss Rachel Simpson, the art teacher will demonstrate how to create and paint the earrings. Students will dream up their design and use wooden circles or ovals as the base of the earrings. The earrings will be painted in the pointillism style. Pointillism is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots or strokes of color are applied to a surface form an image. Students will then draw and paint their design onto the earrings. We will use special inks and neon colored paints to really make those earrings GLOW!
Students will leave class with their very own pair of hand-painted earrings or the earrings can be worn separately as necklaces.
ART that GLOWS! Adult Painting Class
Art Teacher: Miss Rachel Simpson
Time: Saturday, June 17th, 1:30-3:30pm
Student Ages: Adults, ages 18+
Location: Allied Arts, 1418 Cornwall Ave, (Unit-A), Bellingham, WA 98226
Registration: $50, plus $25 supplies fee, a Total $75.00 . Please Note your ‘Name’ and ‘ART that Glows’ in comments with your email, when you Register via PayPal paypal.me/RachelsWhimsicalArts
Art from the 80’s – 90’s are back! Do you like the effect from the Glow with Neon colors, and how much it can pop with a black light (UV-light)? We’ll learn how to experiment with painting in neon colors, taught by Miss Rachel Simpson. You can choose your 2 pieces of art to be inspired by bioluminescent creatures, nature such as fungi in forests, marine-life in the deep ocean, or even planets and stars in outer space! All Art Supplies are provided such as neon paint, UV-lights, brushes, oil pastels, canvas, paper, pencils, pens, pallets, and more with your registration. Be sure to Dress for Mess! (Note: Bring inspirational photos, print-outs, or digital image of your theme of choice to inspire and share! Keep a look out for email info about this art class.)
Time: Saturday, June 17th, 1:30-3:30pm
Student Ages: Adults, ages 18+
Location: Allied Arts, 1418 Cornwall Ave, (Unit-A), Bellingham, WA 98226
Registration: $50, plus $25 supplies fee, a Total $75.00 . Please Note your ‘Name’ and ‘ART that Glows’ in comments with your email, when you Register via PayPal paypal.me/RachelsWhimsicalArts
Art from the 80’s – 90’s are back! Do you like the effect from the Glow with Neon colors, and how much it can pop with a black light (UV-light)? We’ll learn how to experiment with painting in neon colors, taught by Miss Rachel Simpson. You can choose your 2 pieces of art to be inspired by bioluminescent creatures, nature such as fungi in forests, marine-life in the deep ocean, or even planets and stars in outer space! All Art Supplies are provided such as neon paint, UV-lights, brushes, oil pastels, canvas, paper, pencils, pens, pallets, and more with your registration. Be sure to Dress for Mess! (Note: Bring inspirational photos, print-outs, or digital image of your theme of choice to inspire and share! Keep a look out for email info about this art class.)
Summer Art and Dance Rainbow Camp!!!
Art and Dance 🌈Rainbow🌈 Summer Camp -
Get a colorful mixture of Dance and Art during this Rainbow themed summer camp! Learn a full dance routine, lots of dance games and amazing art projects! Students create their own mixed-media art to take home! Including: Creative Rainbow Color Wheels, Mask-Making, Hearts in Abstract Painting, Birds of Color Drawings, Sculpt Dragon Eyes in Clay!
This camp offers time with 2 wonderful instructors! Miss. Patsy will lead dancing and Miss. Rachel will lead art! Both instructors have been teaching in the Bellingham area for over 10 years! Days will be 1/2 Art and 1/2 Dance! Students will need to bring a lunch, bottle of water, rainbow/colorful outfits for dress up days and possibly changes of clothing for cooler or warmer weather. On the last day of camp we will have a showcase for the Art and Dance! Please invite your family and friends!
Art and Dance 🌈Rainbow🌈 Summer Camp! Ages 6-12, July 10th - 15th
July 10-14 Mon-Thurs 10:00am-4:00pm $185, Ages 6-12
Location: UTD, 3815 Bakerview Spur #1, Bellingham, WA 98226
uniquetechniquedance.com/summer-dance
Get a colorful mixture of Dance and Art during this Rainbow themed summer camp at UTD (Unique technique Dance Studio)! Learn a full dance routine, lots of dance games and amazing art projects! Students create their own mixed-media art to take home! Including Creative Rainbow Color Wheels,Mask-Making, Hearts in Abstract Painting, Birds of Color Drawings, Sculpt Dragon Eyes in Clay!
This camp offers time with 2 wonderful instructors! Miss. Patsy will lead dancing and Miss. Rachel will lead art! Both instructors have been teaching in the Bellingham area for over 10 years! Days will be 1/2 Art and 1/2 Dance!
Students will need to bring a lunch, bottle of water, rainbow/colorful outfits for dress up days and possibly changes of clothing for cooler or warmer weather. Thursday July 14th at 3:00pm we will have a showcase for the Art and Dance! Please invite your family and friends!
REGISTER on UTD!
Art and Dance 🌈Rainbow🌈 Summer Camp! Ages 5-8, July 5th - 7th
July 5-7 10:00am-3:00pm $150, Ages 5-8
Location: UTD, 3815 Bakerview Spur #1, Bellingham, WA 98226
uniquetechniquedance.com/summer-dance
Get a colorful mixture of Dance and Art during this Rainbow themed summer camp at UTD (Unique Technique Dance Studio)! Learn a full dance routine, lots of dance games and amazing art projects! Students create their own mixed-media art to take home! Including Creative Rainbows, Mask-Making, Hearts in Abstract Painting, Birds of Color Drawings, Hot Air Balloons, Stained Glass-Craft, Draw Mystical Creatures like Dragons and Unicorns!This camp offers time with 2 wonderful instructors! Mrs. Patsy will lead dancing and Miss. Rachel will lead art! Both instructors have been teaching in the Bellingham area for over 10 years! Days will be 1/2 Art and 1/2 Dance! Students will need to bring a lunch, bottle of water, rainbow/colorful outfits for dress up days and possibly changes of clothing for cooler or warmer weather. Friday July 7th at 3:00pm we will have a showcase for the Art and Dance! Please invite your family and friends!
Get a colorful mixture of Dance and Art during this Rainbow themed summer camp! Learn a full dance routine, lots of dance games and amazing art projects! Students create their own mixed-media art to take home! Including: Creative Rainbow Color Wheels, Mask-Making, Hearts in Abstract Painting, Birds of Color Drawings, Sculpt Dragon Eyes in Clay!
This camp offers time with 2 wonderful instructors! Miss. Patsy will lead dancing and Miss. Rachel will lead art! Both instructors have been teaching in the Bellingham area for over 10 years! Days will be 1/2 Art and 1/2 Dance! Students will need to bring a lunch, bottle of water, rainbow/colorful outfits for dress up days and possibly changes of clothing for cooler or warmer weather. On the last day of camp we will have a showcase for the Art and Dance! Please invite your family and friends!
Art and Dance 🌈Rainbow🌈 Summer Camp! Ages 6-12, July 10th - 15th
July 10-14 Mon-Thurs 10:00am-4:00pm $185, Ages 6-12
Location: UTD, 3815 Bakerview Spur #1, Bellingham, WA 98226
uniquetechniquedance.com/summer-dance
Get a colorful mixture of Dance and Art during this Rainbow themed summer camp at UTD (Unique technique Dance Studio)! Learn a full dance routine, lots of dance games and amazing art projects! Students create their own mixed-media art to take home! Including Creative Rainbow Color Wheels,Mask-Making, Hearts in Abstract Painting, Birds of Color Drawings, Sculpt Dragon Eyes in Clay!
This camp offers time with 2 wonderful instructors! Miss. Patsy will lead dancing and Miss. Rachel will lead art! Both instructors have been teaching in the Bellingham area for over 10 years! Days will be 1/2 Art and 1/2 Dance!
Students will need to bring a lunch, bottle of water, rainbow/colorful outfits for dress up days and possibly changes of clothing for cooler or warmer weather. Thursday July 14th at 3:00pm we will have a showcase for the Art and Dance! Please invite your family and friends!
REGISTER on UTD!
Art and Dance 🌈Rainbow🌈 Summer Camp! Ages 5-8, July 5th - 7th
July 5-7 10:00am-3:00pm $150, Ages 5-8
Location: UTD, 3815 Bakerview Spur #1, Bellingham, WA 98226
uniquetechniquedance.com/summer-dance
Get a colorful mixture of Dance and Art during this Rainbow themed summer camp at UTD (Unique Technique Dance Studio)! Learn a full dance routine, lots of dance games and amazing art projects! Students create their own mixed-media art to take home! Including Creative Rainbows, Mask-Making, Hearts in Abstract Painting, Birds of Color Drawings, Hot Air Balloons, Stained Glass-Craft, Draw Mystical Creatures like Dragons and Unicorns!This camp offers time with 2 wonderful instructors! Mrs. Patsy will lead dancing and Miss. Rachel will lead art! Both instructors have been teaching in the Bellingham area for over 10 years! Days will be 1/2 Art and 1/2 Dance! Students will need to bring a lunch, bottle of water, rainbow/colorful outfits for dress up days and possibly changes of clothing for cooler or warmer weather. Friday July 7th at 3:00pm we will have a showcase for the Art and Dance! Please invite your family and friends!
Gallery Syre Art Exhibit – April 15th
‘All You Need is Love’, art exhibit is still on display at the Gallery Syre! I was fortunate enough to be one of 45 selected artists to showcase a new large original piece of mixed-media on canvas art work which is called ‘Love Through The Ashes’, that you can go see in person at the gallery, located at 465 West Stuart Road, Bellingham, WA. You can view the exhibit during the show dates of February 11th – April 15th , between 11am-4pm, Tuesday-Saturdays.
You can find out more about the artists, art for sale, and the gallery here: https://www.gallerysyre.com/
You can find out more about the artists, art for sale, and the gallery here: https://www.gallerysyre.com/
After School Arts & Patreon!
The Kids Art in the spring session of after school arts will begin during the second week of April, and after spring break, at a few local elementary schools. You can find me teaching at a few locations doing work as a Teaching Artist with Allied Arts of Whatcom County, and DBA – Rachel’s Whimsical Arts, as a guest Art Educator at local galleries, museums such as the Gallery Syre, Allied Arts of Whatcom County, Museum of Northwest Art, and in after school arts enrichment at a few local elementary schools: Carl Cozier, Silver Beach, Lowell, Parkview, and Sunnyland. If your child attends one of these schools, you can find out more by asking your PTA enrichment program and/or going to 6Crickets then selecting your school, and going through the list of classes. Register on 6Crickets: https://www.6crickets.com/
Patreon for Rachel’s Whimsical Art! You know how there are professional Artists making all kinds of awesome things by using an online platform to help spread the word, get support (yes, even funds toward their art), and gain fan followers? Well, there’s this site called Patreon, that does all of that,
and more! I’m giving it a try, in hopes that it can help me grow as an artist.
If you like my art, want to watch/read about my process, gain discounts, among other fun things, please check it out and subscribe: https://www.patreon.com/RachelsWhimsicalArt
Patreon for Rachel’s Whimsical Art! You know how there are professional Artists making all kinds of awesome things by using an online platform to help spread the word, get support (yes, even funds toward their art), and gain fan followers? Well, there’s this site called Patreon, that does all of that,
and more! I’m giving it a try, in hopes that it can help me grow as an artist.
If you like my art, want to watch/read about my process, gain discounts, among other fun things, please check it out and subscribe: https://www.patreon.com/RachelsWhimsicalArt
Art Education & More!
Support your local artist and teachers in any way possible! In case you didn’t know, I’m a teaching artist and art educator K-12, at various elementary schools & middle schools who teaches for art education programs, and after school enrichment programs in Whatcom County, in the Bellingham School District as an independent contractor, as well as fun summer art camps, private art lessons, parties/events, private lessons, present and at museums/galleries, and I’m also the VP Board Member with Allied Arts of Whatcom County. This non-profit is one that brings the arts to many kids throughout the schools, and I’m so thankful I can be a part of it and this community.
Are you buying local? There are ways for you to do this by contact via email: Rachelsimpsonart@gmail.com , or on social media #RachelsWhimsicalArt (FB & IG) and to shop, buy $20 Gift Cards, or work with the artist to make special Commission artwork, and you can make an appointment to visit the studio, to see original pieces of art, matted prints, cards, stickers, kids wands, & jewelry such as glowing earrings.
Newsletter Reminder! This is a bi-monthly art newsletter. There are 6 art newsletters a year in the months of: February, April, June, August, October, and December. You’re welcome to follow in my journey through my professional art, support my art through Patreon, or be a part of the kids art projects/classes, writing the monthly newsletter, social media, and blog. Everyone is welcome to follow on social media with Instagram, Facebook: #RachelsWhimsicalArt, to learn about future art events & art classes. Thank you.
You can find more about all the fun art events, my artwork, commissions, art exhibits, and art classes on my website and Instagram/Facebook pages: Rachel’s Whimsical Art.
Thank you for all your enthusiasm for The Arts and keeping it alive within our community!
Be Kind, Let’s Shine!
~ Rachel Simpson
~ Artist, Art Teacher, (K-12)
~ http://rachelsimpsonart.com
~ rachelsimpsonart@gmail.com
Are you buying local? There are ways for you to do this by contact via email: Rachelsimpsonart@gmail.com , or on social media #RachelsWhimsicalArt (FB & IG) and to shop, buy $20 Gift Cards, or work with the artist to make special Commission artwork, and you can make an appointment to visit the studio, to see original pieces of art, matted prints, cards, stickers, kids wands, & jewelry such as glowing earrings.
Newsletter Reminder! This is a bi-monthly art newsletter. There are 6 art newsletters a year in the months of: February, April, June, August, October, and December. You’re welcome to follow in my journey through my professional art, support my art through Patreon, or be a part of the kids art projects/classes, writing the monthly newsletter, social media, and blog. Everyone is welcome to follow on social media with Instagram, Facebook: #RachelsWhimsicalArt, to learn about future art events & art classes. Thank you.
You can find more about all the fun art events, my artwork, commissions, art exhibits, and art classes on my website and Instagram/Facebook pages: Rachel’s Whimsical Art.
Thank you for all your enthusiasm for The Arts and keeping it alive within our community!
Be Kind, Let’s Shine!
~ Rachel Simpson
~ Artist, Art Teacher, (K-12)
~ http://rachelsimpsonart.com
~ rachelsimpsonart@gmail.com
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