Hello there! My name is Alicia Johnson, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to my art studio for children. I'm thrilled to announce the launch of my blog, where I'll share insights about myself, my studio, and the AMAZING world of creating art with kids!
First, a little about me! I was raised in Escalon, California, a small, close-knit farming community where I was surrounded by a loving extended family. My grandparents significantly shaped my life and instilled in me an entrepreneurial spirit. I pursued higher education at Stanislaus State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, followed by a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential. After five years of classroom teaching, I transitioned to supporting homeschool students as an Educational Specialist. And then, of course, Happy Artists Children's Creative Studio was born!
I am married to Anthony, my high school sweetheart, and this year we are celebrating 27 years of marriage! Together, we have three children: Ethan, who is 22, Sophie, who is 20, and Lucas, who is 17. Raising our family has brought us the greatest joy. I treasured my years spent at home with them, pouring all my creativity into enriching their childhood.
In 2016, I felt a nagging pull in my heart to open an art studio for children. At that time, I didn't exactly know what that was going to look like, but I decided to just go for it! I began offering art classes in a quaint, aged building with just a few students. Since then, Happy Artists has expanded into a vibrant studio, welcoming hundreds of young artists each year. The profound gratitude I feel for what my studio has become is overwhelming. I never imagined that my little dream would become what it is today.
My passion for art and design stems from my mom, who is a talented quilter and baker. As a child, I spent hours and hours in quilt stores searching for fabric and helping my mom put together the perfect color and pattern combinations. I have wonderful memories of making and creating handmade school projects, which were always my favorite. Fortunate to travel several times to Europe with my grandparents during my middle and high school years, I cultivated a profound appreciation for art history. It was in my career as an elementary school teacher that I realized my genuine passion lies in teaching art to children. Designing art projects for our students to create is my love and joy—I live and breathe it!
Happy Artists is built on a foundation of love for children AND art. I wanted to create a bright, happy space for kids to paint, sculpt, imagine and explore art in a fun, colorful, whimsical way. A place to build confidence and uncover creative gifts. To me, children’s art is a priceless treasure. My greatest joy in teaching art is guiding young artists to discover their creative talents. The excitement in their eyes is priceless. In today's society, the art of creating has been sidelined, and I am dedicated to reviving it. I feel so fortunate to pursue my passion every day in the HAPPIEST studio on earth. It is a pretty cool feeling to know that I have found the "thing" I was made to do.
At Happy Artists, our approach to teaching art is that we learn by doing. A quote by Maria Montessori, “What the hand does, the mind remembers” is the foundation of our philosophy. From clay to yarn to paint to wood (and more!), we use every medium and teach every art process possible. Children are capable of so much if we give them the courage and opportunities to try. It is our mission to unlock the gateway to a child's creativity and imagination by offering gentle guidance and inspiration, coupled with the liberty to explore. Our goal is for children to not only learn about art processes but also to complete projects that fill them with pride. We strive for every child to feel accomplished and excited about their artwork, ensuring they can call it their own.
Thank you so much for reading my very first blog post and learning a little more about me and why I do what I do! I can't wait to share more and would love to see you in the studio soon!