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ART COURSES AND WORKSHOPS, UK
WELCOME!
Hello! We’re Painting Zone, a small professional art venue in Cirencester, where those interested in painting can come to enjoy learning skills to create original paintings they’re proud of, whilst making new friends.
I’m Stella Shaw, a contemporary artist with a passion for painting. I founded the “Painting Zone,” project in 2013, with the aim of providing inspiration and information for artists keen to develop their creative skills and understanding of painting processes. MY BACKGROUND After graduating in fine art over twenty years ago, I developed my own painting practice based on realistic, observed landscape subjects. Over the last few years I’ve explored abstract painting and discovered many different, amazing creative ways to use acrylic paints, with or without mixed media. I love to share my experience of creating both realistic and abstract painting methods in my courses and workshops. WHY "PAINTING ZONE"? I chose the name to reflect the feeling of absorbed, relaxed separation from the stresses of everyday life that participants experience through painting, after hearing it said by participants that the weekly classes were “my happy place” and “the highlight of my week.” I’ve led weekly acrylic painting courses in Cirencester since moving to the Cotswolds in 2021. Cirencester is one of England’s most architecturally inspiring and fascinating historical towns, surrounded by the prettiest countryside I’ve seen. TEACHING AIMS Because I have experience of both realistic and abstract painting, I can help artists develop their uniquely different painting aspirations and skills and guide them towards finding their personal direction as artists. I came to my own art training as an adult in mid-life with family responsibilities. I understand the yearning to develop our art which we can experience, against the life pressures which can prevent us from doing so, sometimes for decades as our lives follow other fulfilling directions. WHAT’S OFFERED? Weekly Courses: We offer six-weekly courses corresponding with school half terms. The "Kickstart Painting Skillbuilder" course is suitable for for starters and returners. For more experienced artists who wish to create a series of paintings on a partuicular idea, we offer the "Deeper Dive Projects" course. Each six-week course stands on its own and covers different content than the courses which follow. Flow Painting & Mindfulness. These are four-week courses, with sequential workshops held every Thursday morning between 10am - 1pm during May, June and September. Suitable for all levels. All-Day Workshops: Check out our schedule of drawing & painting skills day-schools, or relaxing mindful painting days, available periodically though the year. WHO ARE THE COURSES FOR? Those who may have experienced and enjoyed making art in earlier stages of their lives but where the busy-ness of family, jobs, other interests or shortness of space at home has reduced the opportunities to paint. The courses are ideal for those seeking a brief regular creative escape from work or family pressures, and those who have reached a point of having more time to start to find their way as artists. We offer two levels of learning, “Kickstart” Stage 1 courses and “Deeper Dive” Stage 2 courses. UNSURE? WHY NOT TRY A FREE TASTER CLASS? PAINTING ZONE STUDIO EXHIBITIONS We love to open the studio every year to show participants' paintings created during the courses. The next exhibition will be in Spring 2025. Visitors are warmly invited to attend the show to view original paintings produced by course participants during recent months. Visit the Exhibitions page for further information. WHERE ARE WE? We're at 4 Beeches Workshops, Beeches Road, Cirencester GL7 1BN. The studio is a small pleasant Cotswold stone ex-stable located in a quiet courtyard backwater a few minutes walk from the vibrant, characterful Cirencester centre. Beeches Car Park is conveniently opposite. We're almost next door to the Teatro Restaurant and The Barn Theatre. Scroll down this page to view a map. 
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"Trying different styles gets me out of my comfort zone and able to be more bold, which in turn gives me more confidence."
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"It's very therapeutic. One forgets everything when painting!"
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"I have loved Stella's gentle tuition, giving me freedom to choose my own subjects."
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