How I Got Started with Painting: My Journey to Creating the Artsy Moon Paint Club

From Personal Practice to Paint Club: The Artsy Moon Story

I often get asked how I got started in painting. To tell the truth, I never thought I had much artistic ability. While I always loved creating things, I considered myself more "crafty" than artistic. I enjoyed needlework, sewing, wreath making, wheat weaving, and needle felting (among many other crafts), but I was intimidated by the "fine arts." I didn't take any visual art classes in high school or college. Instead, I pursued my love of reading, earning an English degree followed by a Masters in Library Science. My career path seemed set!

Finding My Creative Path

While working in public and school libraries, I found myself naturally gravitating toward creative projects—designing bulletin boards, creating sets for theatre productions, and similar visual work. In my personal life, I began attending sessions at a local Paint and Sip studio and fell in love with acrylic painting. This passion eventually led me to pursue certification as an art teacher.

The Myth of Expensive Supplies

During my certification courses, I invested in all the high-end supplies—artist grade watercolors and acrylics, premium brushes, and pricey canvases. However, I've since discovered that excellent results are possible with more affordable materials. Because I want to make painting accessible to everyone, I now suggest starting with the craft paints I use in my tutorials. You can certainly upgrade to artist quality paints later if you choose, but you'll achieve beautiful results with standard craft paints and a set of good quality brushes.

The Challenge of Getting Started

While learning how to paint, I felt overwhelmed and uncertain about what I needed to improve my painting skills. I longed for a comprehensive resource where everything was organized in one place. It was frustrating not having easy access to all necessary resources and not understanding the proper sequence for creating consistently successful paintings.

The Power of Step-by-Step Learning

Through trial and error, I eventually discovered that having a structured plan made painting dramatically easier. Understanding that successful painting follows specific steps opened up a world of possibilities, allowing me to create works that succeeded time after time. Once I grasped the proper painting order, my confidence soared and I began experiencing genuine joy in my artistic practice.

Finding My Artistic Voice

Growing up on a farm instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature and its beauty. My years working in schools fostered a love for creating happy art. These influences shape my current artistic style—because who doesn't want to be surrounded by pretty and fun things? Creating art that brings me joy has become one of life's greatest pleasures.

Birth of the Artsy Moon Paint Club

As my passion for painting grew, so did my desire to share it with others. This led to the creation of the Artsy Moon Paint Club, where I help others feel "over the (artsy) moon" about painting too! It's incredibly rewarding to see how my tutorials benefit different types of painters—from beginners gaining confidence, to experienced artists enjoying creative relaxation, to party hosts who appreciate having ready-to-use designs for their events.

Seeing the Impact

Nothing compares to watching newer painters gain confidence quickly through the step-by-step method. Their amazement at their own results is truly heartwarming. I equally enjoy seeing experienced painters add personal touches to my designs while finding stress relief through the creative process. And supporting paint party business owners with fresh designs that help their businesses thrive brings me immense satisfaction.

Advice for Beginners

If you're new to painting, remember to be patient with yourself. Developing muscle memory takes time, but with consistent practice and step-by-step guidance, you'll build on techniques and continuously improve. Regardless of your experience level—whether complete beginner or seasoned painter—step-by-step tutorials make creating beautiful artwork accessible and enjoyable.

The Community We've Built

Sharing artwork in the Artsy Moon Paint Club's private Facebook group adds another dimension to the experience. The supportive, kind community encourages everyone's creative journey. Plus, having all resources in one place on my website eliminates distractions and streamlines the painting process. In retrospect, I wish I'd had access to something like the Artsy Moon Paint Club when I was learning—it would have made everything so much easier! Plus, with so many tutorials in the Club, there is something to suit everyone’s style and personality.

What Our Members Say

Hearing how the membership positively affects my members' lives brings me tremendous joy. Here's what some of them share:

"If you love to paint and have the opportunity to join a paint club, this is the one to join! The price is reasonable and the teacher is awesome! I have painted with so many out there and it always takes me forever to do a painting, but in this club she makes it so easy to follow and learn, and there are so many awesome options to paint!!!" ~Kathy B.

"I started painting in 2019. I started by going to the wine and paint parties in my area a couple of times. I then started doing tutorials from books and now I am part of the Artsy Moon Paint Club. I love the step-by-step tutorials that you do and the fun paintings. I'm feeling better about my artwork." ~Kimberly J.

"Karen's designs have been a fantastic addition to my in-person paint parties! The tutorials are clear and easy to follow, making it simple to adapt the designs for different age groups. I recently taught the SAME snowman painting at an adult paint party and then again with both kindergartners and fifth graders!! The design worked beautifully across all skill levels, with just a few adjustments to match each group's abilities. The best part is no matter who's painting, the results always turn out great, making these designs a go-to for any event!" ~Nelli F.

"Joining Karen's club has been the greatest thing for me. She is a great teacher with the patience of a saint and has taught me so many great painting techniques. I love so many of her paintings and I know you will, too. Do something wonderful for yourself. Enjoy hanging out with the rest of us in the Club and have fun painting with Karen!" ~Collienne Mason Becker

"Your membership has made a huge difference to the growth of my paint party business and I thank you! Your designs have enabled me to offer events that are more detailed, but still a beginner level. My regular customers have appreciated me offering designs that challenge them and teaching them about underpainting, layering, depth, shadow and light. And as a result, I have learned a bunch and become a better painter myself! I have sold out countless classes with your designs." ~Sarah B.

"All of the Club paintings are fun to paint and have so many different techniques to learn. I love that I can paint something beautiful and use the designs to teach others." ~Marie M.

Join the Club

Ready to take your painting skills to the next level? Join the Artsy Moon Paint Club and experience the joy of creating alongside a supportive, kind community that encourages every step of your creative journey. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your technique, the Club’s extensive library of tutorials offers something for every style and personality. Don’t miss out—sign up today and see the difference it makes in your creative journey!