Brenda’s Creative Space & Story

I joined Holly's art classes at the encouragement of my family following the passing of my spouse of 61 years. I am 82 and thought I was too old and not talented enough to succeed in this endeavor. My first lesson was in watercolors. While I enjoyed the lesson I felt humbled and somewhat embarrassed at my lack of skill. With the help and encouragement from Holly I soon realized I'm not competing with Picasso. This is for my own joy. My art is slowly improving. It's enough...I am enough!

So each day I enter my art room and make my mark. At times it is a struggle to smear the paint on the canvas...sometimes it spills on the rug and my clothes. I share my work with others in the class and we laugh together.

Holly is a gifted artist and I am so grateful to be her student. While I may never be a gifted artist...I can try. That's what Holly brings to all of us...just try...find your joy. I have found mine.

~ Brenda C.

When I was a young woman, I loved oil painting and also charcoal and ink drawings. I also did off loom weaving. At the time, I sold my work at Peddlers’ Cart Gallery in Albuquerque. Then life happened, and even though i continued to draw and paint in my life as an educator, I lost touch with all the new techniques and my skills became “rusty.”

In my seventies, I became a true fan of Holly Nowak’s work. When I found out that she was teaching private lessons, I signed up. Holly taught me to paint, using multi-media.

At first, I was very stiff, but Holly encouraged me to relax and enjoy the process. I learned so much! Then I joined her group class where I learned expand my horizons even more. Now I have more confidence, all thanks to Holly.

Holly is an excellent teacher who is willing to share her “shortcuts” with her students! I highly recommend Holly Nowak. I promise you will learn much from her teaching!

~ Linda C.

  • I'm seventy years old and I've always thought I was creative. Since childhood I loved to doodle anytime there was paper and a pencil nearby, but I've never been a painter. I am a crafter, a writer, a dreamer and now thanks to Holly, I am a painter who tries harder. Holly has guided me through the basics of color, media and composition. She loves what she does, her art is amazing and that is what she expresses to her students as she moves us from a blank paper or canvas to a finished piece of art that we can be proud of.

    ~ Judy S.

  • Upon retiring from a long career in education I felt like it was time to try something new. I was fortunate enough to find Holly's art classes. I lacked confidence but was eager to learn. Holly is an excellent artist but more importantly she is patient with beginners and encourages all of her students to create intuitively.Her art lessons provide an environment where having fun with art and finding joy in the process is a priority. I appreciate her willingness to introduce new techniques and share her knowledge of a variety of mediums.

    ~Kaye S.

  • I am inspired every time I walk into Holly's studio for art class. I feel like I am on a fantastic journey. I enjoy exploring a lot of different mediums and learning new techniques.

    Personally it is art therapy and does wonders for my soul.

    I also enjoy sharing what I learn with my Granddaughter and we have begun creating art together every Thursday.

    ~ Dee M.

  • I’ve really enjoyed Holly’s classes! She’s a talented artist who is happy to share her vast knowledge and experience across many mediums.

    Whether it’s watercolor, acrylic, or journaling, Holly will teach and inspire you to create your own wonderful pieces.

    ~ Stacey S.

  • I took a painting class with Holly to learn how to paint a Bluebonnet. I had admired her paintings and wanted to create my own.

    Her patience and easy going personality made it such a pleasure to be in her class.

    She had positive suggestions for each of us and made us feel successful no matter what level of student we were. I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon class!

    ~ Derry S.

  • I love Holly's watercolor workshops!💜

    She is a super talented artist and is able to slow down her process and communicate how to handle the medium.

    She is skilled at creating a relaxed, yet dynamic environment where we were able to get into the creative art making 'zone'.

    Thank you for offering adult classes Holly❗ 🙏😍

    ~ Linda H.

Have you ever thought about “the shelf life of a dream and wonder if it’s ever too late to change course?” — great line from Sweet Magnolias.  Even if you’ve traveled a distance you can turn around and look back. 

How do you pursue a dream — like teaching art — in a safe environment?  Holly provides this in each class.  Free of judgment I can explore different mediums and the finer points of mixing, layering and creating a picture with depth and meaning. While in high school I had this dream to teach art. This dream was not encouraged. Holly is the opposite, encouraging the creative side of each student I sit next to in class.  

Here I am now, in my later years, learning the finer points of creating a picture. My dream has shifted from teaching to simply painting with comfort and assurance in my own ability. Each lesson Holly demonstrates, step by step, a technique we then practice and put to use.  

Holly slowly pushes us through our doubts to creating our own paintings. From acrylic to watercolor, still life to imagination, from dream to reality, in Holly’s art class I can now say it’s possible to welcome back a dream. 

~ Mary A.

  • I am a perfectionist! Holly’s classes have helped me learn to relax and simply enjoy the process of creating. She encourages her students to create intuitively and trust their own inner artist. Who knew I even had that in me!

    This discovery has helped me immensely and I feel it reflected in my art.

    ~ Heather S.

  • I have enjoyed Holly's art classes so much! I am encouraged by her patience and guidance and enthusiasm when teaching.

    This truly is her ministry in life to help others find their creative spirit and joy.

    Thank you so much Holly for helping me to find mine.

    ~ Kelly G.

  • I learned so much that I didn't know before! My confidence as a painter has grown and I value the friends I've made. Everyone is at a different level but so encouraging to one another.

    I love the creative space I have carved out for myself. Moms always put themselves last but my art space is just for me and brings me so much joy.

    ~ Jackie R.