Budding artists

Shannon LeClair 

Times Reporter   

 

Dale Many Guns has been teaching art classes for kids on Tuesdays and adults on Wednesdays out of her home for 13, years off and on. She began her art career when Candy’s Corner was still in town, being trained in the technique she now shares with her students. 

“I teach them a technique called pen and ink and the oil rouging. It’s a very simple technique, but you get a very nice effect from it,” said Many Guns. 

Oil rouging is when you use a minimal amount of oil paint. There are two different types; there is wet on wet, which is when you slather on a lot of paint and move it around while it is wet. For rouging you use a transparent gel and very tiny amount of paint. You then rub it in a way that it moves the paint around with a dry brush. Each piece also needs to be sealed with a spray between each level to hold the look. 

Many Guns said she has worked on ceramic, canvas, wood, plates and even on a cream can. 

“It’s so easy, anyone can do it. I can bring a person that has never painted before, I can bring them in and teach them how to do it,” said Many Guns.

She currently has seven students in the kids class, which is for ages 8 and older, and four in her adult class. Both adult and kids classes are a $10 drop-in fee per night. The fee includes all of the supplies, canvas, oils and, of course, the instruction. 

“Basically you show up and after two nights, sometimes three depending how much detail goes in the piece, you leave with your masterpiece,” said Many Guns.

Some of Many Gun’s students were happy to give a comment on their class. 

“I have taken this class for years. They make good presents for holidays and birthdays,” said Jonathon Van Verdegen. 

“I love art because there is no right or wrong way. It’s my style and the way I want it even though I am not good at it I still love it,” said Julianna Amable. 

The rest of the students all agreed the class is fun and that they would like to see more classes. 

Finding new students is a challenge for any craft; Many Guns said there is only so much you can teach before they will branch off on their own. 

In January she is offering a class on how to draw fairies. Most of the younger students are excited and there are always adult options. 

“The hardest part drawing is the face so if you can learn how to do the eyes and then how to put that nose and the mouth in, that is probably an advanced thing,” said Many Guns. 

She doesn’t think it will be an easy class to teach but said she is excited for the challenge. 

Many Guns is a Mary Owens certified instructor and all of the templates her students use are Mary Owens patterns. She said the students all have the choice of drawing the outline and having it placed on the canvas, or they can freehand the outline. To find out more, or to sign up for a class contact Dale Many Guns at 403-901-5151, or by email at daleguns@telus.net.