MAUREEN D. SMITH
Maureen first started painting in 1994 when she was bored while recovering from surgery. Her husband, Mel, saw an ad in the local paper about Annie's Tole House in Palmdale, California, where they then lived. He showed her the ad and STRONGLY suggested she take some classes (she was driving him nuts!). Maureen signed up for a six week Beginner's course in tole and decorative painting (once a week for six weeks). She loved it so much that she signed up for the Intermediate six week class, and then the Advanced six week class! She painted morning, noon and night and loved every second of it. In 1995, Maureen opened a consignment shop, Finer Things, in Lancaster, California, and started out with 72 venders who all sold hand-made items. After awhile, she had so many requests to also include tole and decorative painting classes and supplies, that she hired two teachers, ordered supplies and started classes. These classes went so well that soon the shop became Finer Things Tole! No more consignment, just lots and lots of classes! Maureen soon joined her other teachers and started teaching. While teaching in her shop, she also began guest teaching in shops owned by others all over California and then teaching at various Painting Conventions, especially the Creative Painting Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also became a member of the National Society of Decorative Painters.
Maureen became very interested in Donna Dewberry's One Stroke Painting and became a One Stroke Certified Instructor.
Maureen closed Finer Things in 2002 and became the Education Director for Joann's in Palmdale, California. While there, she taught decorative painting and One Stroke painting. She also taught the same at Michael's in Lancaster.
In 2002, Maureen became interested in Gallery Glass Painting and took classes with Jan Cumber and became a Gallery Glass Certified Instructor.
Mel retired in 2006, and he and Maureen moved to a very small town, Warrenton, in Georgia, in 2007. She became very interested in machine embroidery, took lots of embroidery classes, and opened an embroidery shop, Finer Things and More, in Warrenton. The Smiths also opened a restaurant in Warrenton, which they have since closed. Maureen has just opened Artistic Endeavors Warrenton, where she teaches her favorite thing in the whole world, tole and decorative painting, glass painting and much more.
By the way, all the painted items at Artistic Endeavors Warrenton were painted by Maureen. Some are for sale.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS WARRENTION will be adding more teachers, in different areas of arts and crafts, as time goes on. If you are interested in joining our teaching staff, please contact us.
Maureen became very interested in Donna Dewberry's One Stroke Painting and became a One Stroke Certified Instructor.
Maureen closed Finer Things in 2002 and became the Education Director for Joann's in Palmdale, California. While there, she taught decorative painting and One Stroke painting. She also taught the same at Michael's in Lancaster.
In 2002, Maureen became interested in Gallery Glass Painting and took classes with Jan Cumber and became a Gallery Glass Certified Instructor.
Mel retired in 2006, and he and Maureen moved to a very small town, Warrenton, in Georgia, in 2007. She became very interested in machine embroidery, took lots of embroidery classes, and opened an embroidery shop, Finer Things and More, in Warrenton. The Smiths also opened a restaurant in Warrenton, which they have since closed. Maureen has just opened Artistic Endeavors Warrenton, where she teaches her favorite thing in the whole world, tole and decorative painting, glass painting and much more.
By the way, all the painted items at Artistic Endeavors Warrenton were painted by Maureen. Some are for sale.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS WARRENTION will be adding more teachers, in different areas of arts and crafts, as time goes on. If you are interested in joining our teaching staff, please contact us.
