Paint Your Pet’s Uniqueness

If Andy Warhol were to create a portrait of your labradoodle pup, Siamese cat, ferret, or golden boa constrictor, would that be the painting of your dreams? The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is offering a class, “Pop Art Your Pet,” this August to arrive at one’s own pet’s visage.

Pam Morton explained, “We chose pets as the subject matter because people LOVE their fur babies; and animals of any kind make great art subjects. According to the instructor, animals in addition to cats and dogs, have included birds, lizards, and even a baby giraffe!”

When the student painter registers on the MJCCA website, Atlantajcc.org/arts, they are instructed to email Pam Morton (arts@atlantajcc.org), director of the arts at the MJCCA, a photo of their pet (only one pet per photo). All photos are then sent to the instructor, Aleigha Reott, aka “Ms. Pink,” who will sketch your pet on a 16” x 20” canvas.

On the day of the event, Reott starts by having the artists select their paint colors, discusses their placement and offers different paintbrush techniques that will resemble fur or, who knows, maybe even scales.

According to Morton, you don’t have to be innately talented to arrive at a wonderful painting. Reott, the instructor, stated, “The best way to start is to look at the picture as a puzzle, and color in the pieces to get to the desired result. The artists will discuss with me how they can make their painting their own with unique personalized touches. It’s a fun class with open dialogue. The goal is for everyone to have a good time, be creative, and leave feeling proud of their work.”

Actually, Reott starts with a pet photo that she sketches onto the canvas for the student. Since she does this freehand, no one has to buy an app or program to get a quality end result that is not “cookie cutter.” Morton explained, “Hopefully we will all be using bright colors; however, everyone’s unique pet’s image should all produce different results!”

The registration fee covers the 16”x20” canvas, paint, brushes and guided instruction. Acrylic paint is used, but there are other embellishments that the painter can take advantage of: glitter markers, beads and rhinestones.

The event is two hours long and the student /artist will leave with a completed painting. The MJCCA offers two classes this session, one for young adults in their 20s and 30s, and one for teens. An adult class will be added later in the fall.

Instructor Reott received her MA Ed with concentration in textiles and BFA in metalsmithing from East Carolina University.

She taught elementary school art in the public school system in North Carolina and in the Marietta school system. She has her own studio in Marietta, Doodle Art Studio, where she offers classes and workshops for children and adults. She teaches multiple mediums, including drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, metalsmithing, design, clay, and mixed media and will be teaching all of the MJCCA’s preschool and youth art classes this fall. They include, “We Heart Art,” “Meet the Masters,” “Takin’ It to the Streets: Street Art Workshop,” and “Clay Your Way: Air-Dry Clay Studio.”

The MJCCA wants to limit class size to around 12 to allow for personal instruction. The first class for young adults is August 4 from 7–9 p.m.; the second is August 25 from 7–9 p.m. Fees: Members: $45; Community: $60 includes all supplies. Classes won’t be Zoomed to allow for in-person instruction.