BY MARLA BALLARD
REPORTER
Bamabell62@gmail.com
FORT PAYNE, ALA.-- Darliene Carter has been an artist since the 1980s. Carter has studied under the tutelage of several well-known artists who have been both published and on television. Carter has been written about in two issues of The Decorative Painter. She has been a teacher of art since 2000 and is a certified One Stroke instructor.
On April 1 Carter opened Darliene’s Back Porch, an art studio complete with art supplies, art for sale, and art lessons for all ages. Additionally, other craftwork supplies are sold which include sewing fabrics and sewing lessons. The ribbon-cutting/grand-opening for the business is scheduled for July 19. Give-away prizes will be part of the celebration.
While Darliene’s Back Porch does sell customary canvas’, the store also offers cut-boards that Carter cuts and primes herself. She typically uses these 11”x14” boards for adult painting class and the 8”x10” sized boards for children’s classes.
Adult classes are typically three-hour sessions for $40 and children’s classes are two-hours for $25. All supplies needed for the class are provided. Lessons lasting for longer durations to complete more elaborate pieces of work are available. The initial cost of the extended course is $40 for the first lesson, then $30 for each additional lesson.
Art supplies sold at the business include; Artist’s brushes, artist’s rice paper, Dixie Belle paints, Americana, Americana DecoArt, Traditions, ArtResin, and Unicorn Spit. Art lessons may include using crushed glass and sea shells for a three-dimensional piece of work. The shop also sells a variety of books on learning to paint artistically.
In addition to learning a new skill the art classes afford opportunities for groups such as mother/daughter events, girls-night-out gatherings, church groups, and more. The studio can accommodate up to 12 students per class.
Lessons are generally held on Thursday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Friday 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Other days may be booked for reserving a lesson by calling. The store is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Carter has taught art lessons at the Council on Aging in Scottsboro for over a decade. “If someone can color in a coloring book, I can teach them to paint,” said Carter.
For more information call 256-364-2019. Darliene’s Backporch is located at 2019 Gault Ave. N. Fort Payne (Next door to POSH hair salon). Follow on Facebook at Darliene’s Backporch on Gault.
