​Academy of Art University- San Francisco- Online: Major Drawing and Painting
FA 601 OL3: Drawing- Instructor A. Cunningham FA609 OL2: Painting- Instructor: A. Cunningham Overall I learned a lot about what I needed to improve.From Drawing class I need to continue to get more accurate measurements, proportions and reflected light when rendering values. From Painting class the same as drawing because w/o mastering the drawing techniques no matter how well the colors where rendered it lacked technique. I learned that classical drawing and painting is all about accuracy. At the end of the semester the last module of painting; expressive landscapes was my favorite mainly because I felt more free throughout the whole process. In Drawing class my favorite was drawing and shading with charcoal-the seated figures and the head sculpture. My least favorite would be drawing the simple forms; cube, cylinder etc. For my next semester I am going to draw in my sketchbook daily figures; the gestures,contours and measurements. Below are my favorite final assignments.

Decided to start a series of landscape & animal paintings for the gallery. I love the color variation, texture and technique I will be using An
Abstract- impressionism style. Lots of vibrant bold colors showing textural lines throughout the painting. For the landscape paintings; I am instructing the party using blank canvases unless notified by the host for a light sketch of the scene.  Most of the painting parties are 2 hours long; appetizers, beverages, music, painting and social fun! However, for the landscapes and animals we will be closer to the 2.5 hour range. No experience will be needed as I will instruct through the process. I tell party guests to relax, relate and release their inner artist- no perfection- just fun. No stress and the process will flow and your masterpiece will turn out great.

Hope you enjoy the video and hope to paint with you soon.

Well...were do I start. Our Valentine's day event was more than I expected. 15 Loving and awesome  came in and blessed me! The evening started with guests arrivals; the men presented their ladies with a flower followed by our themed party ' The Yin to My Yang' Chinese dinner, with dessert (custom designed cupcakes by BrittsArtistry of Dallas, beverages, music, a singer sang for us. I was just overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. 
Their 2 in 1 canvas paintings were absolutely unique and beautiful...the lights were perfectly dimmed as we listened to slow jams, laughed, sipped and stroked our brushes. I could not have asked for a better turn out.
We ended with fun photos and memorable take home painting with bags of sweet treats. 
Mr Sherman and I love to entertain couples while painting. Sharing our passion and love.
Please do join us in the next Couples Painting and Dinner party on Saturday, April 2 @6:30pm...our theme is ' Shower Me With Your Love'. Visit the calendar tab at 13creativeexpressions.com
Hope to see you soon.
Peace & Blessings

What a great time we had for Paint Night. Canvas painting, Great food and beverages,door prizes, games, music, hair wrapping with our take home authentic African wraps. This was a all around creative event.

If you would like to add a little unique experience to your birthday, ladies night or party contact us. You will have a great time.

I recently read a quick post an Artist had written on a local painting party studio advertisement post. This Artist was upset and wrote that she was sick of seeing so many of these painting party studios on every darn corner...that it was basically taking away business from us 'Artist' the ones whose livelihood is based on customers/clients commissions and purchasing of Art. Well, when first opened my studio... I had intentions,the vision and goals for my Art to be the focus point, the best seller the bulk of my income. To my surprise, the painting parties did over shadow my Art but gave me the extra boost for customers to see me painting ' live'. It allowed them to see me actually in action which in return gave them a more interest in a painting that was on display.
The appreciation for the 'craft'/ 'talent' itself was more justifiable.
I also love being able to entertain others with painting! To see the smiles on ' NonArtist' faces really makes me HAPPY. I get to socialize and fellowship with a variety of people that I would never get to know if I was closed in to a studio just painting and in my own world.
So, If you have had a painting party with me... you are appreciated, keep coming and spread the word and if you have even purchased big Thanks!

My first experience going fishing and how it has applied in my career as a Full time Artist.

I am so very excited to be painting live and exhibiting my Painting for this event. My husband and I are arts people; music,poetry, art, theater,dance the works. So when we got tickets for this last months event we really enjoyed ourselves for your ' date night'. It was not just couples there but singles as well. The food was catered and great 5 course meal, the music was a mix of 90s R&B and Jazz...on point for us, and the live poets and art had us all in our feelings.
 So we are going again, but this time I will be the Artist Exhibiting my work and painting live This is right in my comfort zone ( my world)) and I am thankful to Micheal Guinn for the invite. Hoping to walk out with having inspired others and paintings/prints sold.
Come out to join in.....
On November 28th. Mike Guinn Ent in Association with TT Productions presents a Double Threat! IWPS and WOWPS National Spokenword Artist, Author-Actress-Model-Single Mom and Queen Prudence the Auset with World Ranked Youth Speaks - Brave New Voices Veteran, ForthWrite National Youth Slams member and author Shasparay Lighteard. Both are POWER HOUSE POETS whose words will CHANGE YO LIFE! Women of ALL AGES should be in the house for what will be the most inspirational evening of LIVE SPOKENWORD THIS FALL! Featuring the fantastic art of Creative Expressions with Teya by Teya PaintwithMe Sherman.
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Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/love-jonz-presents-an-evening-of-prudence-tickets-19295597652

Being original in Art can be difficult. For some it takes years to develop a "style" of originality. As I was painting the Dandridge portrait ; layering the hues of pinks and whites into the background I thought of how I could express the lines and colors to represent her. Her life, her story and the expressions within her Eyes.
 The eyes speak a thousand words without even saying anything. I saw the desire to be original, the pressure to be more. She was soft and fragile but determined.
I apply this in my life.To be original; Artist,Mother, Wife, Teya. Often, I am misunderstood perhaps due to my lack for complete expressions. In these years of painting, trying to establish originality (my style) its has made me more aware of who I am and what I want out of life. Who and where I must position myself in my life at this moment is very important- I see myself as a sea turtle (lol); slowly,swifting through the currents of my painting career.  Steady and consistent is my goal. Sometimes we go to fast as to find our heads covered in the sand; afraid to see what is ahead.
Maybe if Dandridge had just become a sea turtle would she had been able to live out her highest potential or had she achieved it?  To be original can be the hardest unspoken words.
Hope you enjoy the painting and hope you decide to purchase a print, canvas,poster, tshirt or accessory. The painting took me a length of time and I do hope I captured the true essence of Ms Dorothy Dandrige.
Blessings,
Teya

 My thoughts for the day....
It is okay to take a break. I know as for myself I used to feel unaccomplished, guilty or unworthy if I took a break. If that was physically or mentally I would always think that If I took a break I would not feel like I was worthy  to say ‘ I am an Artist, mother, wife, teacher, friend and so on..”
To wear all of these hats on my shoulders can be overwhelming if I do not take a break I will suffer.  Some may think its being lazy for the hours, day, or weekend. I have come to a point in life where I say…What EVER ! LOL…  at the end of the day who will care for me like I need to be cared for but ME.
Life is funny like that. The moment you make decisions for YOU; the ones that aren’t centered around others and the care for others you are the ‘bad’ person. Now, I have found that there are consequences to my actions. Lose of a friend, silent treatment from loved ones, not getting paid for the day and the list goes on. However, I find my peace of mind weighs much heavily over all the consequences.
So, are you taking a mental break from all the hats you wear? Do you feel guilty when you do so? Don’t. Life is too short. Live it with a peace of mind.