Ortonville- Portia Mahoney has had a pencil in hand since she was a child, when her mother and grandmother instilled in her a love of drawing and art.
‘Every child is creative and free with drawing,? says Mahoney. ‘Adults need to get back to it. It’s a release and way to express yourself.?
As the owner of Art of Life, Mahoney is helping both adults and children express their creative sides, with a variety of art classes, quality art supplies and knitting and crocheting yarns offered at the store.
Framed art by various class instructors adorns the walls of the shop. Pencil drawings, watercolors, oil paintings, acrylics and prints depict animals, landscapes, florals and portraits. Commissioned work for portraits of people, pets and homes is also accepted, all at reasonable prices.
Mahoney has framed the artwork in the store herself, as she also offers custom framing with 25 years of experience.
Adult classes taught by Mahoney include basic drawing, in which she teaches students to draw what they see through observation and practice, emphasizing shading and proportion; portrait drawing, in which applying line, proportion and shading is taught; and colored pencil drawing, with a focus on porper usage and blending of colors.
Mahoney also teaches a knitting class for beginners, in which students will learn the basics? from casting on the first stitches to binding off to finish? making a functional purse.
‘I’ve taught for over 25 years and my biggest reward is when (students) come in saying they can’t even draw stick people and when they leave, they’re amazed at their accomplishments,? says Mahoney, 53, who, with husband Richard, owned Napoleon’s Closet, a men’s clothing store in Birmingham, for 32 years.
In addition to Mahoney, Art of Life has four other qualified instructors who teach classes in their specialized fields, which include oil, acrylic and watercolor painting to knitting. Several art classes are also offered for children.
Open knitting and open studio art classes give artists a chance to work alongside others who share their interest.
‘We believe every one of us has special talents and that the talents of each of us, help all of us,? says Mahoney.
Art of Life, 391 Mill St., is open Tues.-Fri. from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays and Mondays, except for scheduled events (which includes being open May 1 from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. for grand opening week). (248) 627-4901.