Aspiring artists help bring painting workshops to Stewartsville

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Cynthia Hovenga and Linda Watkins, two aspiring painters, first traveled with artist Bram Bevins to Michigan about six years ago to attend painting workshops. 

After traveling with Bevins to Michigan and Tennessee, Watkins asked if he would consider bringing one of his workshops to Stewartsville. Eventually, he agreed.  

“When people come to the panting sessions to learn about painting with brushes, palette knives and kind of a general overall knowledge of beginning paintings,” Watkins said.  

She said some beautiful paintings have come out of the workshops, including pieces created by children. 

Now, the workshops are returning to Stewartsville, Missouri, in October. The event will be held at the Boy Scout building and Bevins will bring all the supplies participants need, except for an easel. 

Bevins walks participants through the process step by step, showing them how to create a painting based on one of his original works.  

“To what if you don’t know what you are doing at all, you will walk away with a painting you are happy with like mine,” Hovenga said.  

She said she was happy with her experience because the workshop made her feel like she could create something she was proud of, even as an amateur painter. 

Hovenga said the first workshop they attended was taught by Steve Ross and Bevins, giving them the chance to learn from both artists.  

“But we fell in love with the kind, quality-teaching that we got from the workshops and wanted to bring it to local artists because we thought it was fun,” Hovenga added.  

Anyone interested in attending can visit paintwithbram.com to learn more and register for upcoming workshops in StewartSville. 

Each session costs $100 and includes all the supplies participants will need, except for an easel.