Funky Paintbrush Teacher Helps Others Grow

Caitlin LeMoine is one of those artists who has seemingly always been drawing. She received a graphics tablet for her computer at age 11 and says she became increasingly serious about art.

“My parents bought me a drawing tablet and for about three years I was glued to my laptop drawing cartoons," LeMoine said, who plans to attend Kennesaw State University this fall. "I think I grew most as an artist and as a person in those three years."

Self-taught until about ninth grade, LeMoine then began taking art classes both in and out of school. She honed her skills and surrounded herself with other artists who opened her eyes to new ways to approach art.

“I owe a lot of my artistic enthusiasm to my family and friends who always pushed me to explore new creative avenues.”

Her travels have also influenced her art in that she strives to include cultural elements in her work. LeMoine said her father impressed upon her the importance of being respectful and appreciative of other cultures. She tries to bring a sense of history and personality into her art.

“I'm mostly interested in the artwork of indigenous and ancient cultures because they have profound cultural and symbolic significance,” LeMoine said.

Her artistic repertoire includes cartoon and comic book styles as well as character design. Her painting style is more along the lines of fauvism, with wild and bright colors. LeMoine dabbles in many media, but she said she usually returns to one favorite.

“I almost always fall back onto pen and ink. I suppose it's because of my personality. I always make a point of being deliberate and honest and I think that is the boldest way to make your mark. Everything has to be on purpose (or else look like it's on purpose)."

LeMoine teaches at The Funky Paintbrush art studio in Woodstock. Both insecure and seasoned painters will find a welcoming and comfortable place to experience guided painting at The Funky Paintbrush. Participants can bring a beverage and return home with their very own masterpiece.

“I want to try to pull people out of their stressful lives and realize that beautiful things exist all around us. Sometimes they are very simple and fleeting, but that's all the more reason to create more of them! I want to help people pay attention,” she said.

Besides teaching art in Woodstock, LeMoine also is open for painting or drawing commissions and is willing to sell prints of her existing work.

She said she hopes Woodstock will one day gather its local artists together for an art show, and like her fellow artists, she understands that her relationship with art is in constant flux.

“I still have a lot to learn and experience, so chances are that I will never get tired of art and that as long as I continue growing and changing as an individual so will my art.”