"Some of us stop calling ourselves artists as we 'grow up,'" she said. "I never did."
And good for Rockland County that she didn't. Sommers' business, which is based out of her Suffern home, is 100 percent mobile, and is all about helping folks of any age to unleash their inner Van Gogh.
A longtime artist - -she got her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Maine College of Art and later worked as a Graphic Design Director in Mahanttan --- Sommers started her business in 2013 as painting parties for ages three to 103. That included teaching after school art enrichment and workshops throughout Rockland, Bergen ,and Westchester Counties.
Her philosophy for teaching is that everyone has creativity within them; she simply serves as a catalyst for bringing it to life.
Her enrichment programs include mediums such as watercolor, acrylic paint, cut paper, masking, ink, pencil and more. "Artytime is a place where children can explore and expand their creative horizons. The sky's the limit, " she said.
Artytime goes beyond kids to include corporate events, fundraising, bachelorette parties, in-home painting and anything else you can think of. "You name it, we'll do it," said Sommers. "No experience necessary."
That means choosing your medium, from working on canvas, wine or margarita glasses to wine bottles or platters.
Many of the venues she does regular events at include Torne Valley Vineyards In Hillburn, Ole Ole, Craft House, The Ice Factory and Rockland Dance & Fitness Studio in Suffern, U-Me Sushi and Wayne's World Pizza in Nanuet and the JCC Rockland in West Nyack.
Upcoming events include:
- Thursday, Nov. 12, JCC Rockland: Canvas or wine glass painting; contact Bonnie Wind, at (845) 362.4400 to reserve.
- Friday, Nov.13, All Souls Church, Suffern: Tree of Life painting on a glass platter Go to http://mkt.com/artytime/allsouls.
- Friday, Nov. 20, Torne Valley Vineyards: Holiday wine glass painting doubling as center piece, Go to http://mkt.com/artytime/pumpkinglasses.
Go to www.artytimeparties.com/ for more information.
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