Lisa Bagshaw, May Featured Artist of the Month

Lisa Bagshaw

I am so honored to be chosen as the Featured Artist of the Month for May.

I have always been interested in art. In Marblehead, the coastal town north of Boston where I grew up, I took a variety of art classes. My parents were always supportive of my creations. My favorite class in high school was art, so I majored in art in college and received a BFA from The University of Hartford in Connecticut.

After graduation, a friend and I drove cross country to Newport Beach, Calif., where I was lucky enough to meet my husband, Mark. We’ve been married for 38 years and have two amazing daughters, Shayna and Calli.

We lived in Plano, Texas, in my 20s and 30s, where I taught preschool and kindergarten and eventually opened up a small preschool called Fun with Friends in Texas. I loved incorporating art projects into the daily plans and watching the kids create! Later, when we moved to Tucson, I was fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom to my daughters.

We retired to PebbleCreek in May of 2022. We love its location, the active pickleball community, and of course the Creative Arts Center. I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who make the art club so successful.

While I did not pursue an art career, I have always been a dabbler in it, taking classes in a variety of mediums, especially watercolor. Whenever I go to an art show or gallery I am always drawn to the watercolor paintings. Although I struggle with it and don’t put in enough practice, I do love to paint with watercolors.

I never shared my art with anyone until last summer. Two of my card-making friends encouraged me to try the 30/30 sketch group that was about to begin. The premise was to sketch for 30 minutes a day for 30 days and post your work to the group online. It sounded like fun, but I was quite hesitant to try it. I decided to take the plunge and signed up.

I really enjoy pen and ink, so I tried a sketch and added some watercolor to it. The 30 minutes flew by, and I kept going for well over an hour. I realized how much I enjoyed it and how relaxing it was. When I posted my first sketch to the group the encouragement from other artists was amazing. I loved seeing what they posted as well—we have such talented artists in PebbleCreek. This continued for 30 days, and some of us continued on for two additional months.

When it is offered again this summer, I encourage you to think about jumping in and giving it a try.

Lisa’s artwork can be seen at the Creative Arts Center and both clubhouses during May.

Many Art Club Classes and Events Set for May and June

If you will be in PebbleCreek in May and June, the PebbleCreek Art club offers several classes and events to get your creative juice flowing. Not just for club members, most classes are open to all residents. Now might be just the time to try your hand at art! For information about these classes go to pcartclub.org.

May 7: Painting Cactus Flowers in acrylic with Beth Zink. One of Phoenix’s best-known artists will take you step-by-step through the process of painting flowers in bright and vibrant colors. Instruction is for all abilities, and you will take home a completed 11” x 14” painting. All materials are supplied—just bring a lunch, drink, and an apron.

May 8: All Mediums Critique for members only. Come and join a friendly Artist Critique Group of your fellow artists. An open critique group is a wonderful way to gain an education on what to look for in a piece of art and get some help on where you might be stuck.

May 9: Sketching Workshop for members only. So, you think you can’t draw? That’s nonsense! Join this workshop to develop the fundamental skills all artists need to succeed. Betty Jean Kennedy, who started and leads the summer 30-30 sketching program, and Emily Grotta are leading this workshop to help you get past that block and started on the journey of sketching daily for your own enjoyment. All necessary materials will be provided—and you will leave with them to start your sketching journey. It’s a perfect way to get ready for the 30-30 sketching program that will begin in June.

May 11: “Figures on the Beach” acrylic painting with Nancy Troupe. Have you ever wanted to add figures to your painting, but were not sure where to begin? Following her step-by-step process, Troupe will show you how, while also helping you paint more boldly.

May 23: Painting an “Aspen Glen” in acrylic with Ann Osgood. A versatile painter who has taught several successful classes at PebbleCreek this summer will help you become more proficient with acrylic paints as you capture the sun and shadows in an Aspen forest.

June 1-30: 30/30 Sketching for members only. Once again, club members will enhance their drawing skills by committing to sketch for 30 minutes a day for 30 days. This will be the third 30-30 year!

June 7 and 14: Painting florals in oil or acrylic with Edward Sprafkin. Bring your favorite photo reference as one of the Art Club’s most popular teachers teaches color mixing, edges, and more with demonstrations and one-on-one assistance.

June 15: “Field of Poppies” in acrylics with Nancy Troupe. Following her step-by-step method, you will complete a beautiful painting while having fun and learning with fellow residents.