Mary Dunning leads 'Creative Canvas' workshops

By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review

High Desert resident Mary Dunning says she can't remember a time in her life that art wasn’t part of it. Even when she put her creative endeavors on hold to pursue a career as an English teacher, she dreamed of becoming an art instructor.

At this stage on her path, Dunning’s lifelong aspiration is beginning to take shape. The San Bernardino native recently began holding workshops at places like the Wine Seller in Apple Valley through her newly formed company, Creative Canvas.

Dunning’s classes aim to teach anyone interested in learning to paint how to create their own masterpiece. She said absolutely no talent is needed.

“I lead my students through the entire process of painting a picture,” said Dunning. “So even people who say they have no talent walk away with their most prized possession. I believe there’s magic in the paint and also the creative process. It’s very addicting.”

According to Dunning, Creative Canvas was founded on the belief that painting is a healthy avenue for unleashing one’s inborn passion to create. She says her students learn to paint in an environment filled with positive, fun and supportive vibes.

“We all want to have fun but because we live in such a fast-paced, highly stressful world, we tend to stifle our God-given creative genius,” said Dunning. “The students in my classes will take home a fun memory, as well as a beautiful, original masterpiece.”

Dunning’s first success in the art world came at the age of 12 when she entered a contest (unbeknownst to her parents) to win a scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute. She wound up winning the contest but says her mother and father understandably refused to send their pubescent daughter off to college.

Dunning admits she was disappointed but continued on her journey, designing campaign posters in high school for students running for office, as well as backdrops for school plays.

She also found work painting Christmas designs on restaurant windows for Inland Empire businesses and also designed costumes and worked on the sets at a local theater.

“My love of art and theater continued through college but I couldn't afford a paintbrush let alone the art courses I would have had to take,” said Dunning. “So I changed my major to English, which is a decision I haven't regretted, as I've been an English teacher for the past 23 years.”

After college, Dunning married and found herself living in Upper Arlington, Ohio. She started a summer arts program for kids and kept it going for over a decade. That led to a being offered a teaching position for Ohio State University’s adult education program, where she taught for several years.

In the early 1990s, Dunning moved backed to California when she was offered a teaching position at Imogene Garner Hook Junior High School in Victorville. While the job had its rewards, Dunning says her heart ached for her beloved art.

“Unfortunately, over the years, I put my artistic endeavors on hold and found myself becoming more and more depressed, not really knowing why,” said Dunning. “Then last year, another teacher invited me to attend a painting class at the Purple Easel down the hill. That class snapped me out of my depression and I was hooked.”

Dunning, who teaches at Silverado High School, says she's hoping to get other budding artists in the area hooked on painting and also the idea they no longer have to drive down the hill to explore their creative passions. Based on the success she’s had with recent workshops, she’s well on the way to realizing her fondest dreams.

“With the construction traffic on the 15 freeway becoming increasingly horrific, I had to stop driving down the hill for fun,” said Dunning. “So I decided to start my own painting program here in the High Desert, hence Creative Canvas was born. I’m expecting that once word gets out, people will be coming out of the woodwork to participate.”

Dunning will hold upcoming workshops at the Wine Seller on Oct. 20 and the Holiday Inn in Victorville on Oct. 29. Both classes will begin at 7 p.m. and admission is $35 per person. Visit http://eventbookie.com/events/5/creative-canvas to register.

— L.J. Gambone is a freelance reporter for High Desert Media Group. Visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/victorvalleyhappenings.