Holly McDonald

I have been teaching since 1989 in various styles and techniques. I started painting at Ben Franklin, then moved to the local tole store (at that time in Snohomish). That shop moved to the Bothell/Mill Creek area in 1994, where I taught until 2004.

I have been fortunate to have taken classes and seminars (too many to count!) from many "big brushes" - JoSonja, Bobbie Takashima, Ronnie Bringle, Betty Caithness, Linda Wise, Helen Barrick, Connie Parkinson, Linda McFadden to name some. I try to attend as many conventions and classes as I can. I believe you never stop learning new things!

Painting is a way of life for me and I love sharing it with my classes.


Betty Coulson

Painting and creating has played a major role in my life since childhood. Living on a farm with all the farm animals and wildlife in rural King and Snohomish counties is often reflected in my art projects.

After several years of selling my art at craft shows, I began custom painting for private customers. The past few years I have taught group classes locally.

A strong believer in "stretching your horizons", I continue to attend workshops of various artists to experience new techniques and styles. There are so many great things to paint I wish there were more hours in the day to paint them all. It gives me great pleasure to share this experience with students. I hope you can join in this creative endeavor. Let's have fun and experience the excitement of painting "out of the box" and show casing your signature on your art.


Juanita Murray

Being in the painting industry for more than 35 years, I have acquired experience in many different mediums. I started painting in oils and studied extensively under Mary Jo Leisure and Ann Kingsland. I have also had the opportunity to learn from many prestigious and knowledgeable instructors. I received my Certified Decorative Artist (CDA) certification from the National Society of Decorative Painters in 1974. In the past I have designed my own patterns and taught them at many national and regional conventions.

I teach classes in traditional oils, acrylic and heat set Genesis. I have extensive experience in teaching on canvas, wood, tin, and porcelain. My passion and expertise is in the area of realism: birds, flowers and fruit.

Takako Shinoda

I studied oil painting and drawing under Donna Bruchshen for 14 years.  I have been teaching oil painting and drawing for 16 years to children and adult students.  I prefer the individual teaching method.  I emphasize mixing of colors using only 5 basic color paints.  I teach students in English and/or Japanese.

I have been teaching calligraphy for 13 years to beginners to advanced students. 

I also instruct Hardanger embroidery and have been doing so for 20 years.  I won the 2000 Nordic Needle Hardanger Award.  All my works are my original design, and I do the same for my students.


Bailey