Local art teacher teaches thousands in Downtown Lancaster to excel and relish in creating their own masterpiece canvases.
By Mackenzie Tucky
“In the art world there’s always something changing, there’s always something
cool and new,” says owner of Two Broke Artists Art Studio Bobbi Roberts McKinnon.
cool and new,” says owner of Two Broke Artists Art Studio Bobbi Roberts McKinnon.
From a young age, McKinnon aspired to become an artist who could teach others the joys of self-expression through art. Today, as a full-time art teacher at Fairfield Christian Academy and owner of Two Broke Artists Art Studio in downtown Lancaster, she lives her dream. But it’s McKinnon’s studio time that might be covering the widest swath of Southeast Ohio residents. Since its opening in March 2014, Two Broke Artists Art Studio has offered classes to those interested in learning how to paint a masterpiece on a canvas or sculpt ornate pottery in just a few short hours. Last year, Two Broke Artists Art Studio won Destination Downtown Lancaster’s “Business of the Year” award.
“I just started this as a part-time thing three years ago and it turned into way more,” McKinnon says.
As you enter the grey and white studio, you are greeted by one of the artists at the studio’s reception desk. The studio is filled with various canvas paintings that are thes pace’s dynamic collection. There are beach scenes depicted, an owl sitting on a snow-covered tree branch with a scarf hanging around its neck, and other pieces that coincide with the seasons. The canvases are paintings from previous sessions put on display for those to see while walking over to the area for group painting sessions.
Other local art teachers, current and retired, teach with McKinnon at the studio,each bringing specific talents to lend to the program. McKinnon says customers with all levels of experience are welcome at Two Broke Artists Studio. Any person who walks into the studio believing he or she is utterly inartistic has the opportunity to walk out feeling like the next Leonardo da Vinci.
But above all, McKinnon wants her artists-in-the-making to have fun and feel comfortable in the studio. She creates an uplifting environment by inviting people to bring in their favorite food or drink while enjoying their painting or wheel throwing session.
During a wheel throwing session, individuals are instructed on how to create masterful pottery. Dale Hague, acting director of Clay Center of Ohio, has been a professional potter for over 20 years. He teaches classes at the studio now when requested. Local art teacher Jennifer Appelfeller also teaches classes every Tuesday at the studio.
“We do a lot of different things here. One woman wanted to do furniture paintings so we had a furniture painting session, and boy, some of those turned out amazing,”McKinnon says.
Another session last summer welcomed a renowned oil painter for an intense oil painting session. The course focused on specific oil painting techniques for those who are more advanced artists and visit the studio.
“We had over 6,000 painters last year, so it was a pretty rockin’ year,” McKinnon says.
Two Broke Artists Art Studio offers youth classes for only $15 every Saturday morning. The teachers at the studio aim to foster creativity for children through art as this is their profession and passion. “Because I’m an art teacher, I love the youth classes here.
They’re so fun and it’s good for them to get those creative thinking skills going,”
McKinnon says.
The studio offers group, couple, and family paint sessions where step-by-step instruction is given, and the pace is slow enough so all painters can finish their paintings without feeling rushed. The painting sessions are perfect for those wishing to relieve everyday stress or tap into their imagination. McKinnon and her colleagues are eager to teach those of all ages and experience levels who are willing to have fun and embrace their creative side at Two Broke Artists Art Studio.