Hello! My name is Alyssa Whetstone and I am an artist and art teacher. I love combining my passion for creating with my love of community. Thanks for being here!
As an Artist
I have always been that kid who never stopped drawing, doodling on everything, and crafting whenever possible. In high school, I took my first private painting lessons from an amazing Wisconsin Artist, Paul Oman. The first summer I learned acrylic and then the next summer he taught me watercolor. Acrylic felt natural and it made a lot of sense so I ran with that right away. Learning watercolor was not nearly as instinctual and while it was fun, I tucked it away for a later day.
Fast forward to college where I learned so many great techniques and discovered gouache paint (my true favorite but I hardly ever use it). I graduated with my art education teaching license and jumped into my career as an elementary art teacher. My own art took the back burner for my first year as I used all my creative energy to plan and execute art lessons.
Spring of 2020 came and the pandemic hit. At the same time, I was going through a health crisis that left me stranded in my chair from hip pain. Summer arrived and I had extra time off as a teacher. Everyone else was out taking walks and exploring new places since we weren’t supposed to gather indoors. I was stuck inside my makeshift art studio and dreaming of places I wished I could go. Instead of going to those places, I started scrolling through my phone’s camera roll. I began drawing the places I had documented in my phone and when it came to painting them, I needed an easy material (something that wouldn’t need to be washed out at a sink every time I stopped working). Out of pure convenience, I broke out those watercolor paints I had tucked away.
Very quickly I discovered a love for the color and texture that watercolor paints have. In the summer of 2020, I kicked off my first series of paintings of familiar places. I learned how nostalgic it is to spend the time to draw and paint a recognizable place. As others saw my art they also enjoyed recognizing different places and reminiscing on what they did or why they were there.
I make art for two reasons. I make art to enjoy the process of connecting with the thing or place I am painting, and I make art to connect with others that I would otherwise have no reason to connect with.
As a Teacher
I have always had a teaching mindset. I love connecting with others and learning new things. As I learn things I feel a yearning to pass on that knowledge to others.
I’m grateful to have found a few ways to share what I’m learning.
My latest venture has been my youtube channel where I share free and easy tutorials for you to try out pen and watercolor on your own, whenever you have the time. I also teach classes in-person out of my home studio in Farmington, MN as well as online.
Another way I have enjoyed teaching others is in the small business world. I started sharing art fair tips on my blog because I enjoy everything that goes into selling my art at craft markets and fairs. Social media is great and I sell my art online too, but nothing beats the real face-to-face connections, the paper cuts, sweat, and hydration that goes into participating in your local craft market.
On my blog you can find background on my art, tips on how to sell your art, and of course lessons on how to make art!
I’m here to share what I’m learning through my own experience, research, and the conversations I have with other creatives.
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