I'm inspired to write about all the ways that art has brought joy and purpose to my life, and one thing that jumps to the front is CONNECTION.   Art has literally brought about many wonderful connections in my life, and it's proof that I'm on the right track in helping to lift people up and bring joy to others' lives. Here are some of the recent connective experiences I've had because of ART: 1.  I have been hanging art in 2 local cafes for close to 10 years now.  It started when I wanted to help my students realise themselves as exhibition worthy, but to also show the c ..read more

This is 10 year old Adrian's squirrel drawing that he completed easily within a 1 hr after school art class, here in my Hamilton, NZ studio. Adrian has mastered Done is Better Than Perfect. ​"Done is better than perfect" means that it is much more productive (and kinder to yourself) to complete something, rather than keep reaching for a perfect standard that you can never seem to get to.  And in reaching for perfection, we often end up procrastinating, sabotaging, getting quite upset with ourselves, and make a much bigger deal than the thing usually is. In my art classes, I do a lot of ..read more

If you're like me, and you want to make sure that your child knows that "everyone's an artist", here are some things you can start doing: point out all of the handmade things you have around home:  Clothing, decor, art, photography, ceramics, light shades, sculpture, carving, jewellery, knitting, even landscaping, the way the you dress and the way you prepare and present your food Notice when looking at things, to discuss some visual elements like shape, colour, texture and form.  What do you like, or wish was a little different? Ex.  that flower arrangement looks appealing t ..read more

"I have just signed us up for the 6 month package and am feeling so excited.  The 4-week drawing challenge has been such a neat experience, sitting down for a short, directed art lesson with my young kids once a week - I was feeling sad it was coming to an end!  This is the perfect way for all my kids (and me) to do an art lesson (not just chose one child) and they're always more enthusiastic and willing to give it a go when I sit down with them.  I just LOVE to see everyone's very different creations given the same directive.  You have made the course so affordable Kim, i ..read more

Whether you're fostering the little artist IN YOU, or you have a little artist at home whom you'd like to nurture and foster their creativity, this is for you. Kim, at All Smilez art school honestly believes we are all artists whether we know it or not. Back when we were children we were able to enjoy making art (until something went wrong and we got the idea that we were no good, or should stop). So, it's important that we help the children (or inner child) in our lives and protect them from whatever it is that separates people who think they're artists and those who think they're not. So ..read more

I planned a little time filler for my students at the start of each class, as they trickled in to the studio.  ​They always arrive within 5-7 minutes of each other and love to hear what the days lesson is as SOON as they come in, so I thought this could keep them busy and allow me to get them all in and settled before I started explaining my lesson, and save having to repeat myself! This idea only came up because I was shopping in my local kmart, and spotted these mandala canvases. Since I'm teaching them all how to measure and plan a mandala drawing of their own, they don't nee ..read more

Simply put, everyone is an artist.  The sad thing is that those who don't believe they're an artist, have decided this at some point in their lives because of something that has happened. ( someone else's reaction, or unrealistic expectations from self or others ). The good news is, I can help people of all ages feel better about drawing and painting, and thank goodness some good folks have found me and I am able to help their children here in the studio or even online. What I've learned: Parent's usually bring their children to me for a few different and valid reasons. They want me to ..read more

It means a lot to me that so many families have kept their children enrolled here for so long, over the years.  Most of my current students have been with me for more than 2 years, some as long as 6 or 7 years! It's certainly not what I had planned or imagined. And I sure to love it.  It feels like family, it really does! And I love them all. I've tried before and chickened out, on creating online lessons so that I could help more people, but now I am pretty stoked to have found a platform that I feel works really well to set up an online course, AND works well from a student point ..read more

Did you know that All Smilez got it's name from Kim's smiling students? It's true, but its not what you think.  Way before Kim started running small group art classes from her home studio, she was a primary school teacher.  Even before she had her own children, she was a primary school teacher.  And even before that she was an artist. When she was at home with her first baby, she had to think of something inspiring to paint.  What was the first thing that came to mind?  Her sea of smiling students looking up at her from the classroom mat when she was a regular clas ..read more

Let's face it.  We all know someone, young or old, who honestly believes that they are no good at drawing.  And that, my friends, is super sad.   I have been working with children and adults in the exact same way, and I am happy to report that all of them could draw, although, lots did start off with a bit of resistance or fear.  If you or someone you know thinks they are no good at drawing, or that they just don't know how, so why should they bother.... PLEASE send them my way! My drawing challenge is pretty private.  Great for building up confidence. &nb ..read more