Featured Voices, South County

How to Grant a “Brush” of Inspiration?

Author, Becky Mock

Teacher Sue Brush with McCloud Elementary Students Sophia Dhillon and Ayleah Fraley – Credit, Becky Mock

Pat and Sue Brush, married since 1999, moved to McCloud, California in 2011 because they could see that there were not many non-government jobs and not much industry happening almost two decades after the sawmill money had been removed from the historic railroad and lumber town which had previously ruled the area for over 100 years. The Brushes observed that they could provide new job opportunities in the area. “We were not afraid to start a new shop in a new place,” Sue recalled. “We are hard workers”.

They came from Washington state. The Brushes had previously owned a consignment store, and Sue a hair salon. Pat, 74-year-old US Army Veteran and 45+ years as a youth and adult soccer Coach/Referee, had been inspired to make beer out of curiosity since 2013. McCloud has several natural crops of hops growing in the area and people with experience to lean on. What goes well with beer? Pizza! Siskiyou Brew Works was born! The small nano brewery and pizzeria has a family-friendly/kid & pet friendly atmosphere.

In addition to running Siskiyou Brew Works with Pat, Sue also takes in clients next door to the pizza place at her one-woman hair salon. In addition to these two endeavors, her artistic side has been calling out to her lately. Sue’s cultural heritage originates from the Native American Mechoopda and Maidu tribes which resonates through her into her art. Sue explained that she was never really the strong academic type, and found solace in art and making creative pieces. She was recently inspired to offer and teach a community art class open to the public for all ages.

For $60, participants were offered and supplied with 2, two-hour sessions, a custom personal-sized pizza made on-site at Siskiyou Brew Works, hand-crafted beer for those 21 and older, 2 8X10″ personal canvases, natural hair paint brushes, water-based acrylic paints, and cleaning supplies.

Sydnie Siegman, 71 years old of McCloud, took the class. When asked why she was interested, she stated that she has always had a lifetime interest in art, that she wanted to learn new techniques, and meet new people. Siegman was able to rattle off the new and reviewed techniques she had learned in the class very quickly; “We learned about color blending, how to use the color wheel, depth perspectives, shadowing, how to use light sources, how to prep the canvas, and about the importance of paint consistency.” When she was asked if she would take the class again, she enthusiastically answered, “Oh yes, I was very happy with my piece and I am inspired to get started again at making my art!”

Another participant, Colleen Blount, 62, had a different kind of experience while taking the class. Ms. Blount, a retired Dental Hygienist/Realtor who splits her time between McCloud, CA (75%) and Redding, CA (25%), took the class out of initial interest as a current watercolor painter. “I also took the class because I wanted to meet new people,” she said.

Blount shared with brutal honesty how Sue was great at teaching about depth perception and why it is such an important place to start. “Boy is she right! Although I had fun working with other people in the class, I could not figure out how to start my piece, and I did not like how it came out. I ended up throwing it away! I ended up not going to the second session of the class as a result. However, I have worked through this, and if the class was offered again, I would attend.”

The classes were co-ed. Mike Cesio, 75 of McCloud, CA took the class as well. Mike moved to McCloud just over 4 years ago. He was visiting Siskiyou Brew Works one evening and got to talking to Sue about art and she mentioned her class and Mike said he was “in”. Mike’s interest in art stems from the fact that he was an art major at the San Francisco Academy of Art in his past. “I was always a straight ‘A’ student in art courses, but my parents pushed me into business courses, which was good for me at the time. These types of classes would be good for the kids in the McCloud area as well. Now I want to learn more about using acrylics” he said.

Cesio stated that he attended both of the sessions and that he noted that not everyone had the pleasant experience he was having. “Some people don’t have a teachable spirit. When it comes to art, you have to lose your Ego. Some of the participants got really frustrated during the class and didn’t come back for the second session. We all have different gifts. But, I’m happy to find out that at least one person will be back to try again when the art classes get offered next time,” Mike explained of the process a peer underwent during the class. “However, I felt really good about my piece and I will definitely take the class again when it is offered”.

Additionally, Cesio shared a “self-portrait” of a likeness he did based on a photograph of his partner of 51 years, Keith, who passed at age 59 eleven years ago, after taking Sue’s class and feeling extra inspired. The likeness compared between the photo of Keith and the “self-portrait” are fascinating. Mike’s strongest statement about Sue’s class? “Now that I am older, I think I really have something to share as an artist. Sue really pushed me as a teacher. Good teachers do that”.

Two McCloud Elementary students who took the class were offered to sell their art pieces, but chose instead to keep their projects. Three of the current artists who have taken Sue’s classes have their art pieces for sale at the local White Mountain Cafe in McCloud, owned by Brian and Dyane Kirby. This too is another project overseen by the local non profit known as the Education Improvement Network, a local 501c3 charitable organization founded by Becky Mock, retired public school teacher.

When asked her ideal class size for this project, Sue stated that she would prefer next time to only have 7 in each class and to have two, two-hour, class sessions a month. Of course, in the past, the Brushes have covered all of the supplies necessary for this inspired project out of pocket themselves. This documentation has shown that this “experiment” is now a worthwhile undertaking, and therefore at this time, funding is necessary in order to go forward in the future in the capacity envisioned. Grant monies will expire for this project at the end of October 2024.

Grant Purpose: We all have God-given abilities to teach and lead others in creating the works of “art” that reflect our uniqueness, revealing the reasons why we are here, and what we are called to do. These abilities can be applied in any type of business or hobby. There are different types of “art”. Art exploration is a universal means that should be available to all ages and people. Providing the opportunity, supplies, location, and financial means ensures the realization of the available prosperity to those who did not think such things possible.

This grant was received in October of 2023 by Sue Brush. Sue has provided the scholarships for her classes to members of the McCloud community, including both McCloud Elementary and McCloud High public schools 5th-12th grade. The best part about this project is that participants get to take home their art piece and their equipment, with a working knowledge of how to use it all!

FREE $60 Scholarships are available to community members at the McCloud Resource Center,
McCloud Elementary School, and McCloud High School
sponsored by the Education Improvement Network.
The Final Beginning Artist & Beginning Young Artist Class is being offered
Monday October 14th, 10:00am-12:30pm, or call Sue at 530-864-1639 to RSVP
and attend Private Lessons without a Scholarship, and pay as you go!!

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