The Creative Team

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I am Zoe Oliver (Artist and Mentor) I set up Canvassing Happiness in 2016, the same time as I decided to focus on being a full time artist 

As an artist and a mentor you have the unique ability to inspire people…to help THEM become artists, critical thinkers, decision makers and creators.

I'm a mother of two children, ages 8 and 10, we live in the small town of Liphook in the leafy Hampshire countryside. 

I developed my passion for Art at school, but it wasn't until I became a parent that the pure potential of art and creativity gelled in my mind

My goal has always been to promote a relaxed and fun approach to art. Since I started my Art workshops from my kitchen 4 years ago I have tried to encourage children and adults to join in lots of interesting Art activities to help foster and develop their creativity.  

I like to let the students unwind and enjoy Art. I want them to have the freedom to create what they want within guidelines, experimenting with a diverse range of media with nothing holding them back from having a go. 

It’s hugely rewarding for me and the students.

It can get a little crazy!

I have grown the business and have taken on a new partner in crime, Sophie Claret, we have decided to extend further and diversify. We want to bring Art to the community with more classes, drop-in sessions, parties, mobile workshops, corporate and themed events, merchandise and Art supplies. 

In light of current circumstances much of these plans have been put on hold but we have started our diversification with our New online Live workshops and a set of online recorded tutorials. These classes, although somewhat forced upon us, have been extremely successful.

I am passionate about encouraging my students to reach their creative potential and I particularly enjoy helping them create a strong creative foundation for their future.

I am Sophie Claret (Mixed media Artist and Mentor) 

I rediscovered Art through my children 

I have always been passionate about Art and Design. I studied Art throughout school  to A-level and then completed a Three Dimensional Design course at degree level. I went on to become an Interior Designer. This I enjoyed immensely for 12 years but always missed the creative freedom you get from Fine Art. I took a career break to have 3 children I rediscovered my passion for Art through encouraging them to paint, sculpt and build their portfolios. I knew I wanted a career that supported my family life and my creative passion.

After my career break I met Zoe Oliver when two of my children joined one of her Holiday Art workshops. I was so inspired by the dedication, love and enthusiasm she had for her Art classes and her students. I couldn't help but want to be part of the Canvassing Happiness 'World'. 

Zoe is a warm, deeply passionate and charismatic person to be around. I was particularly  drawn to her unique teaching methods which filled her students with such confidence right from the start! I joined one of her Adult Art classes and we soon realised how we shared the same passions and goals and we couldn't help but hit it off as a team!

Since joining Zoe we have been forced to rethink the business with the  onset of COVID-19. With Zoe's encouragement and expertise I accepted the challenge to turn Canvassing Happiness into an online Art mentoring business! I have been developing worksheets and tutorials, maintaining our current clients with LIVE online workshops and shooting videos of our NEW online recorded sessions. 

We want to give our students the tools, information, and inspiration to help them connect and grow through creativity and continue to encourage experimentation at home 

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I love to share my passion for Art with the students. Watching them grow in confidence is incredibly rewarding. 

My next venture is to promote Zoe's and my own Art further and develop merchandise to sell on this site and a well known Ecommerce site. So watch this space!