COCHRANE— Helping aspiring artists discover their inner Picasso, a local artist’s Facebook live painting tutorials are proving to be a fun way for families to create together.
Artist MJ Stead launched her Facebook group Painting with MJ with humble intentions expecting around 20 to 30 kids to participate— But, in the space of a month, the group has exploded gaining almost 1,9000 members.
"I see the joy in life and I want to share it," Stead said. "That’s my whole goal in life to help people be happy.”
Stead was inspired to launch the group the day schools in the province were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stead said she wanted to help parents and children by teaching paint lessons virtually.
She was especially motivated to do what she could to help because Stead has spent the last two-years recovering from breast cancer.
“I knew the feeling that they were going to be experiencing being isolated,” Stead said. “I thought, ‘I know what I can do to maybe help those kids out.’”
Stead launched a face painting business in Cochrane eight-years ago, but had to take a break from the business while going through chemotherapy that compromised her immune system.
Stead said her heart ached because she missed connecting to the community.
“I really felt for them when school was cancelled— I know the feeling of being confused and scared and unsettled and isolated,” Stead said.
She added that she was grateful for the way the community rallied around her during her battle with breast cancer and wanted to take an opportunity to give back and share her appreciation.
It feels amazing to see families joining in for her live painting tutorials, she said.
“It brings me as much joy as I’m sure it brings them,” Stead said. “I just love it. It’s so much fun.”
Stead spends her Sundays getting ready for the Facebook live videos of the week, working to ensure a subject can be produced by her audience at home.
During a tutorial, MJ will start a live video and gives people about five minutes to join the party. From there she tells them what supplies they need for the project that day.
From there, the group of artists get to work, each painting a unique expression of their vision.
Stead said her favourite part of the project has quickly become the amazing paintings young artists share to the page. Stead added it is an amazing feeling seeing their proud faces beaming when they post photos showcasing their work of art.
“There’s some incredible little talented artists,” Stead said. “Every day there’s something new.”
Planning out each class Stead said she talks to kids to find out what they want to create. She explained that her goal is to pick a painting that can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age or skill level.
Her list of requests grows longer each day she said with a laugh. Painting requests have been everything from a narwhal, to turtles, to tigers, to snow leopards, to dinosaurs and everything in between.
Looking to the future Stead said she plans to keep up hosting classes while the students are in quarantine. When things return to normal she will still host videos but will not have a strict schedule.
Stead added that she is also beginning to host Zoom birthday party paintings for children and parties for parents as well.
“I’ll keep it going as long as it needs to be going,” Stead said. “I think these kids are going to stick around and I’ll do a couple of paintings a week for them.”
