P A i N t WORLD
JUNE
2024 APRIL MAY
The 2024 Solar Eclipse We stared directly into the sun?!
Chaos & Kindness
We got our designs printed on apparel!
03
05
06 Self Care at P.A.I.N.T. Wellness, hygiene, & money management
Collage Night
Our first open studio event!
Quickest Flip Laboratory Art Challenge #7
The P.A.I.N.T. Art Collective An exciting new development is on the way...
Meet the New Manager Get to know our new program manager, Shawn!
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09
13
14
Artists! Have you had your yearly health check-up yet?
CaliforniaLicensing requires that day programs keep an annual Physician's Report document on file for eachparticipant.
Don't forget to submit your Physician's Report paperwork before last year'sformexpires. Download the form here!
TONYA LEWIS
Joy, Creativity, & Finger Painting Feature:
More on page 11
Congratulations to the winners of this quarter’s perfect attendance raffles!
APRIL: ERIKA
MAY: MARY
JUNE: JOSH
CREDITS
Writing:
Avalon Traser: Wellness and Journaling at P.A.I.N.T.
Leslie Freitas: The P.A.I.N.T. Art Collective
Lucas Walker: Handling Hygiene, Managing Money
Rhys Nguyen: 2024 Solar Eclipse, Collage Night, Artist Feature
Shawn Crane: Meet the New Manager
Art:
Amanda, Alyssa, Clarissa, Erika, Jake, Jordan, Mary, Mikayla, Nathan, Nicole, Nikolas, Reyna, Samantha, Sara, Tonya
Photography:
Havana Mabutas, Jeremy Riley, Rafael Soto
Editors:
Leslie Freitas, Shawn Crane, Rhys Nguyen
Design contributor: Havana Mabutas
Art director, Designer, Production manager: Rhys Nguyen
A TOTAL ECLIPSE
OF THE ART
Monday, April 8
A total solar eclipse traveledacrossthe NorthAmerican continent,starting fromMexico,passing throughtheeasternhalf oftheUnitedStates,then intoCanada.
Total eclipses only pass over the same area about once every 375 years.
Brentwood wasn’t in the direct path of the eclipse,butwewerestillabletoobservethe moonpasspartiallyinfrontofthesun.
At PAINT, we used special glasses called solar viewers, which filter out harmful radiation,towatchthe eventunfold.
It was humbling to witness the scale and beautyofoursolarsystem.
We spent the day learning about eclipses, and gained even more appreciation and curiosity for the wonders that existbeyondourdailylives!
CREATIVITY AND ART CAN AID IN PROCESSING EMOTIONS.
These journaling exercises consist of self-checkinswhereourartistscreatevisualrepresentations of their feelings. The ‘Thoughts for my Hand’ activity lists words associated with self care. For participants who like to write in length, there are ‘Self Reflection’ writing prompts such as “what activities bring you comfort?” or “what are 3 wishesyouhaveforyourfutureself?”.
Journaling has been a great way to encourage goal setting, list making, creative exploration, andmindfulness. Manyhavevoicedthattheyhave beeninspiredtowriteintheirjournalsoutsideof thestudiotoo.Wehopethatitwillcontinuetobe ausefultoolforourartistswellbeing.
Mentalhealthisimportantforoverallwell-being. With this in mind, P.A.I.N.T. has started setting aside dedicatedtimeforjournalinginthestudioeachweek.
Goob’s journal:
Managing Managing Money Money
Creative mentor, Avalon Traser, has been leading journaling exercises at P.A.I.N.T. She shares her thoughts on introspection, wellness, and self care.
But was it enough? We didn’t reallyknowwhattoexpect.
We let out a collective breath as the first guests began trickling in around 5 PM. The studio— relatively mellow on most days— soon became vibrant with laughterandconversationasold friends reconnected and new friends were made. Glue, cardboard, scissors, and magazines were scattered across everyavailablesurface.
Abigthankyoutoeveryonewho attended. We are looking for more ways to connect with the community through art and we hope to see you at our next event!
(aka“sls“)
WE ALMOST RAN OUT OF SEATS!
Would you like to See more?
IN THE STUDIO
Feature:
JOY RADIATES UNAPOLOGETICALLY FROM JOY RADIATES UNAPOLOGETICALLY FROM TONYA LEWIS’ TONYA LEWIS’ ABSTRACT PAINTINGS. ABSTRACT PAINTINGS.
Tonya usually abandons the traditional paintbrush in favor of fingerpainting.
Getting up close and personal with her materials, she paces herself,workingononepieceata time while making sure to regularly check in on her fellow artists and the staff at P.A.I.N.T. Her gleeful laugh is a regular and belovedfeatureatthestudio.
Using a vibrant color palette and carefree yet deliberate placement of each mark, Lewis isn‘t too precious with her art. Imperfections are a natural part ofherprocess,andsheprioritizes the sensory and emotional experiencesofcreation.
Herworkstandsoutasareminder that playisanessentialelement ofbeingcreative.
We sat down with her to have a conversation about her work and whatinspiresher.
(Tonya’s responses have been edited for clarity.)
Tellme aboutyourfavorite mediumsandways tocreate.
Acrylicpainting usingbrushes, andfinger painting.
What made you interested in painting?
My sister inspired me to start painting.Nettiealsopaints.
What are your biggest creative influences?
Friends,family,supportstaff,and puppy!
Are there any special messages ormeaningstoyourpaintings?
Certain friends and staff inspire and represent colors in my work. I prefer working in a more abstractstyle.
What makes you happy about art?
Bringing it home to show family. Finger painting is relaxing and makesmehappy.Iloveitsomuch thatIpaintathome,too!
Whatdoyouliketodo outsideofmakingart?
Gototheparkwith mydog,Peanut.BBQ’s withmyfamily.Listening tomusiceveryday, like MichaelJackson. Ialsoliketoswimin thesummer.
Isthereanythingyouwant tosaytootherartists?
“Ilikeit!”
Shawn, 2024, Tonya Lewis, Tempera paint, 11" x 8.5"
Jake, 2024, Tonya Lewis, Tempera paint, 12" x 9"
A section of Tonya’s painting, Puppy, 2024, Tempera paint, 24" x 36"
Dolphin Dolphin, 2024, Tonya Lewis, Acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24" , 2024, Tonya Lewis, Acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24"
Lucas, Lucas, 2024 2024
Tonya Lewis Tonya Lewis Tempera paint on wood panel
paint on wood panel
x 11"
A DECADE OF A DECADE OF CREATIVITY
& CREATIVITY & AN EXCITING NEW PROJECT AN EXCITING NEW PROJECT
2024 is a special anniversary for The P.A.I.N.T.Program, we’recelebrating our 10th year of operation! We’ve enjoyed reminiscing back to our humblestart.
In2014wetookaleap,trustingthat if we created a space for creative mindedindividualstocometogether, provide them with materials and opportunity to explore their talents, that something magical just might takeshape.
We’resoproudtohavespentthelast decade building a wonderful community of artists; a place to learn, have fun, laugh, and find inspirationtogether.
It seems fitting that as we celebrate adecadeofcreativity,that2024also marks the start of an exciting expansion for us. This past spring, The PAINT program began work on The PAINT Art Collective, our very own professional art gallery located inbeautifulSausalito,California.
Our aim is to grow the opportunities thatourartistshavetoshowandsell their artwork, as well as build connections with the greater San FranciscoBayArea.
OURNEW GALLERY LOCATION!
Lots of love and hard work is going into this new endeavor. We will keep thePAINTcommunityupdatedonour progress. We can’t wait to invite you all to our grand opening event later thisyear.Moredetailstocome!
You can follow our progess on Instagram! @paintartcollective
CRANE SHAWN CRANE
Withthelaunchingofadedicatedart gallery in Sausalito, PAINT Art Collective, we will be seeing less of our founding day program manager, Leslie Freitas, as she will be busy creatingaprofessionalvenueforour participants to show their art full time. Her dedication to people, coupled with her love of art, has brought P.A.I.N.T. to its 10th anniversary this year. THANK YOU, LESLIE!
Withallthatbeingsaid, I’msincerely humbled and truly honored to be PAINT’Snewdayprogrammanager.
I’ve called Brentwood my home for over 20 years and it’s where I spend mydayswithmytwodaughters.Ilove the small town feel and hiking amongst the surrounding natural beauty. Shopping at thrift stores is an almost daily occurrence. If I can’t finditthere,I’llprobablyjustmakeit, as I love to design and build things likecostumesandfurniture.
In my life, art and creativity have empowered me…and brought me to my knees. I enjoy working with oil paints and watercolors. When things are going well, it's magical, when they’re not, one can feel lost. I've learned that these are just two sides of the same beautiful coin. When we embracethisbattle, wecometoknow ourselvesandeachotherbetter,and seetheworldinnewways.
P.A.I.N.T. is a place where friends cometocreateandthetypeofplace I'dliketohangout..andnowIdo.
I’m grateful to be part of this community of artists and excited to support our participants and our staff as we head into the future of PAINT.
linkin.bio/paintartprogram
8335 Brentwood Blvd, Brentwood, CA (925) 666-8142 paint@cissart.org
