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Enrolling July 1 - July 15

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What's Inside Joy of Painting?

Monthly Classes: What to Expect

  • Pre-Recorded Sessions: Each class includes 1-2 hours of video content, pre-recorded to allow you to learn at your own pace. Watch whenever it fits into your schedule and pause or resume as needed.

  • Manageable Segments: I break down each class into sections that focus on different techniques and stages of the painting process, including color mixing, selecting collage papers, sketching, and layering.

  • Replay Anytime: As a member, you have unlimited access to all class videos, so you can revisit and review each technique whenever you want, ensuring you can master each aspect of your artwork. These classes stay on the site until January 2025. But you can download all of them to keep forever, so you'll never lose a class.

  • Comprehensive Instruction: From setting up your painting palette to applying the final artistic touches, each class is designed to provide step-by-step guidance to help you create complete and beautiful pieces.

  • Variety of Topics: Each month features a new class, while these are often mixed media acrylic florals, I occasionally spice things up with classes on visual storytelling or using new techniques like botanical gelli-painting abstract collage.

  • Painting Supplies: We use a simple palette of main acrylic colors to mix all the colors of the rainbow. And you'll also need a few canvases (any size is ok), paint brushes, collage papers and an adhesive like a glue stick or jar of acrylic gel medium.

Plus BONUS CLASSES!

Wow! In addition to monthly classes, you'll also get ALL of these bonus classes when you sign up today!

Bonus Classes include “Embracing the Abstract Artist Within,” “Introduction to Color Theory,” “Painting a Peony,” “Mixed Media Free Birds,” “Layered Zinnia Garden,” "Using a Spark Journal," "The Joy of Painting Success Path," and more! And new classes every month.

Let Your True Colors Shine with Joy of Painting 2024

Did you know that color is the first thing people notice about artwork? It hits us right in the heart and captures our attention long enough to stop and pay attention to an artist’s work and story. That’s why I’ve christened 2024 the “Year of Color” for Joy of Painting. I want to give you the background in color theory that you never got as a self-taught artist (or even an art school graduate!). I’ll never forget the year I discovered color as an artist. I know it sounds strange, but before I turned 30, I only drew and painted in black and white. Then, one day a friend dumped a pile of colorful acrylics out and suggested we ‘paint each other.’ Using those bright colors unlocked my imagination in a way I had never felt before, and since that moment, I have followed the siren song of color… all the way into the depths of color-mixing and back to share what I’ve learned with you here in Joy of Painting this year. In my classes, you won’t find hours of making color swatches. Instead, we’ll dive into a new aspect of color theory each month and then put it right into practice with a clear painting demo. Classes will build on one another and deepen your skills as a mixed-media artist and colorist. You'll learn about seasonal color personalities and find your own! You'll develop a ‘signature palette’ that really expresses your personality! Elevate your art by deepening your relationship to color. Join by July 15th- you can pay monthly and cancel at ay time or enjoy a nice savings when you join for the year. Either way, I look forward to having you in class and exploring your “True Colors.”
$25 per month with $14 one-time sign up fee
Healing Through Art

Lisa

I am so grateful to have found Cathy on my art and healing journey, and I hope you join in too. You will be so glad you did!

I am one of those people who has always felt creative but never made the time to pursue it or give it the space it needed to grow. 2 years ago I had to leave work due to health reasons, and the recovery has been slow, long, and full of space for me to let my creative juices finally flow. Its funny how life gives us these “gifts”!. I found Cathy Nichols through a recommendation from a friend, and I was just in time to join the Joy of Painting, another gift from life! Through the last year of following Cathy, and also joining her in person for a 10 day retreat in France, I have grown significantly in my art journey. Cathy is the “real thing”, in that she gives generously in her teaching and she genuinely cares about her students. She is so talented, and has such a warm, humble and personable approach to her teaching. She also has a great sense of humor! Through her membership I have finally gained confidence in my ability to mix color (this has alluded me until now, even after taking a few on line courses). Cathy’s teachings simplified color mixing and empowered me to create nuanced color palettes, create shadow and highlights, and bravely add pops of accent color that brought my art to life. I feel like I have a more solid foundation in collage, color theory, painting florals, and creating compositions that work. I also feel free to add whimsical creative touches that don’t have to be perfect. This membership has been so worthwhile, and I have found a community of fellow artists that I did not have before.

Returning to Art after Motherhood

Katrina

I’ve gained confidence in my painting and I have learned to let go and have fun! The first of each month is like a mini Christmas gift when I open my new class from Cathy! If you’re thinking about joining, just do it!

I’ve been a Joy of painting member with Cathy Nichols for almost 2 years now! After a 25 year break from art, while raising my family, I decided to do something fun for myself! These last couple of years have been wonderful! Cathy’s kind heart and cheerful style give me so much joy. Each month the episodes are prerecorded so you can work at your own pace, and the content is above and beyond the other classes I’ve taken online. She has taught me color theory, composition, mixed media collaging, and so much more!

Classically Trained Artist

Meg

Excited to go into the studio again!

I had never done collages before working with Cathy. She broke my perception that creating collages was just tearing up magazine pages and reassembling them. I never imagined that I would learn to draw, paint and create my own papers. But Cathy teaches all of that in Joy of Painting. Using Cathy’s technique has ‘jump started’ my normal painting process. I’ve started experimenting and subsequently developing my work in new directions! If it weren’t for Cathy, I probably would not be as excited every day to go into my art studio!

Emerging Art Entrepreneur

Antje

I'm learning to master the subtlety of colors with Cathy all the way from Germany!

When it comes to color, I'm a colorful bird. I love strong, clear colors - ALWAYS. That's why I love Cathy's pictures so much. They are so wonderfully colorful and despite having many different elements, they never seem overloaded or chaotic. Through Cathy I learned how to use color so that the strong colors I love would not compete but, instead, have greater impact. Cathy has also shown me how to use reference paintings from the masters as springboards for my own ideas.

About Cathy

Your Teacher & Guide Cathy Nichols

About Cathy Nichols Cathy Nichols is a full-time artist, oracle card designer, and online teacher. She specializes in vibrant mixed media paintings with layered handmade papers, sheet music, flowers and all things joyful. Her popular online courses include “Mixed Media – Painting Modern Expressive Flowers,” and “Create Your Own Oracle Deck. You can find Cathy’s studio in the River Arts District of Asheville, NC, where she lives with her family and paints her colorful, layered stories.

FAQ

  • Can I cancel?

    Yes, You can cancel at any time. You will only be charged for the month(s) that you are a member on the monthly plan. The annual plan can be canceled after the first year.

  • How long do I have to download the new classes?

    You have 30 days to download every new monthly course that is added to your bundle and keep it forever. The classes will stay active on the site for 6 months, though, so many members don't bother downloading (but I wanted to give you that option in case you get busy and don't want to lose your classes).

  • Are lessons mandatory? What if I get busy and can't make art for a month or so?

    Joy of Painting is about JOY, not stress. The membership is always here to support you on your journey. You are welcome to do the lessons as they best suit your time and lifestyle. When you download your courses to keep forever, you will have access to them when you are ready to devote time and energy to the artistic process. There is no rush. As my favorite yoga teacher always said, "do you best, and leave the rest behind."

  • Will the price of Joy of Painting increase for me, or will I be 'grandfathered in' at my sign-up price?

    One of the biggest benefits of becoming a member right now is that you will NEVER have your membership price increased as long as you remain a member in good standing.

  • Will the content be suited to beginners AND experienced artists?

    YES! While my paintings look complicated, I break down each of them with step by step instructions. And by practicing with the monthly projects, you will find yourself getting better and better as an artist. No matter where you are on your artistic journey, my goal is to help you to refine your hand, your eye and your palette. Painting is a skill like anything else, and you will be amazed by your progress if you do each of the monthly classes.

  • Is there a sign-up fee for the annual plan?

    No, there is not a sign up fee for the annual plan for Joy of Painting. There is only a one-time $14 sign-up fee for the monthly plan.

More from Cathy's Students

Joy of Painting is my favorite art class I’ve ever taken!

Cat Torelli

First of all, Cathy’s cheerful and friendly way of teaching makes you feel like you are painting with a good friend. Every month I’m excited to see what the lesson is. I’m so inspired to paint, and Cathy has such a wonderful way of teaching, with a “You can do it!” vibe that makes you really feel that you CAN paint anything. And, so, I dive into each month’s lesson, learning so much about technique and color theory as I joyfully paint. If it wasn’t for Cathy, I would never even have tried to paint flowers, and now I’m painting them all the time. I just adore her and Joy of Painting!

Where Color and Passion Converge

Emily King

It is a delight to watch Cathy create amazing backgrounds and then enhance their beauty even farther with her lovely flowers and birds. One look at her Flower Deck had me saying, “I want to do that!” You’ll love Cathy’s classes and her quick replies and supportive help with your painting.

I sold my first painting (ever)!

Adrianne Pender

I came across mixed media art during the lockdown in 2020 and played around a bunch, but it never felt cohesive. I came across Cathy's Instagram page and fell in love with her work. And when I saw that she was doing mentoring classes in Joy of Painting, I signed right up. It's been very helpful to use her methods and put to use the techniques she's shown us, I even sold my first painting (ever) after only taking the classes for 4 months.

Each new lesson brings out a bit more wonder and joy at what is emerging from me.

Bonnie Smith

Joy of Painting has been a real treasure for me. Each new lesson and art discovery seems to bring out a bit more wonder and joy with what is emerging for me. I’m growing with my artistic abilities while also becoming increasingly aware of what feels really nourishing and exciting for me. A wonderful side effect is that I’m just naturally gravitating to discovering/awakening a new level of joy in all areas of my life. It has sparked a lot for me. From learning what supplies sparks joy for me while allowing the currents of excitement to bring to life more and more where the 'Art of Living in Joy’, is mine. Thank You Cathy for Sparking so much JOY in my Art and my Life! Xoxo Bonnie

Joy of Painting has Inspired me to Take More Chances

Janis Margolis

This program has inspired me to take more chances. Since I started, collage is now incorporated to all my art. I never wanted to use collage, now I’m obsessed. I’ve branched out into painting creatures such as birds and even wildlife animals. Cathy is a generous, patient, extremely talented instructor.

Reconnection with My Creative Spirit

Kat Ryalls

Cathy I sincerely want to thank you so much for this class and how it has been such a huge shift in my life and my work - it’s been such a great challenge as an artist to think in a more collective body of work and language and even though I finished the deck I find myself still wanting to explore how to expand the ideas and push myself more - this is actually closer to the way I used to paint and create and explore in college and when I wasn’t doing art as my full income back in the day and I have missed this so much and it’s helped me realize I can paint “my” way and it can speak to people. I was getting so caught in the trap of painting what markets showed me would sell but this reconnection with my creative spirit has been the most rewarding experience I have had in such a long time. So thank you truly. Such a blessing.

Your course has allowed me to trust my own vision and capabilities

Brittany Burkhard

It seems a silly thing, but sometimes striking out on your own, even with some experience under your belt, can be intimidating. Your course has allowed me to trust my own vision and capabilities. Also working alongside other creatives around the world and getting direct feedback from everyone has been invaluable. As we each bring our own visions to life this community has given me the courage and support to know that yes, I can do this too! You took a project that can at times feel overwhelming and made it light, approachable and the encouragement and beauty along the way only fed into my personal well of inspiration. And gosh darn it if you aren't the cutest when you teach, I chuckled along the way and more often than not I had a big smile on my face while I watched the video tutorials. 😘 Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have shared.

Cathy Lights Up a Room with Her Joy and Positivity

by Tera Balog, Ph D

Cathy's class was everything I hoped for and more. Not only was I able to create a 52 card oracle deck under her guidance and wisdom, but it was an absolute joy to do so. Cathy lights up the room with her joy and positivity. She is a cheerleader for each and every one of her students and makes learning all the ins and outs of creating a deck life changing. Seriously. I grew so much in this course and I am so grateful to know the wonderful human who is Cathy Nichols!

Finding Confidence in Community!

Lisa Scott

I am one of those people who has always felt creative but never made the time to pursue it or give it the space it needed to grow. 2 years ago I had to leave work due to health reasons, and the recovery has been slow, long, and full of space for me to let my creative juices finally flow. Its funny how life gives us these “gifts”!. I found Cathy Nichols through a recommendation from a friend, and I was just in time to join the Joy of Painting, another gift from life! Through the last year of following Cathy, and also joining her in person for a 10 day retreat in France, I have grown significantly in my art journey. Cathy is the “real thing”, in that she gives generously in her teaching and she genuinely cares about her students. She is so talented, and has such a warm, humble and personable approach to her teaching. She also has a great sense of humor! Through her membership I have finally gained confidence in my ability to mix color (this has alluded me until now, even after taking a few on line courses). Cathy’s teachings simplified color mixing and empowered me to create nuanced color palettes, create shadow and highlights, and bravely add pops of accent color that brought my art to life. I feel like I have a more solid foundation in collage, color theory, painting florals, and creating compositions that work. I also feel free to add whimsical creative touches that don’t have to be perfect. This membership has been so worthwhile, and I have found a community of fellow artists that I did not have before. I am so grateful to have found Cathy on my art and healing journey, and I hope you join in too. You will be so glad you did!