Pastimes Posts
Art History 101 :: The Rise of Oil Paint
Before we talk about Jan van Eyck, let’s start with the paint itself. A Brief History of Oil Paint Oil painting has a much longer history than the familiar Renaissance story suggests. Evidence of oil-based paint appears in Northern Europe as early as the 12th century,...
October 2026 Student of the Month • Beth G.
Congratulations to our October Student of the Month, Beth G.! Beth has been studying at Pastimes for a Lifetime for two years and has completed the Graphite 101 and Graphite 102 courses, developing an impressive command of the medium along the way. [gallery...
Art History 101 :: Edgar Degas
Our 2026 Art History 101 blog takes us on a visual time travel. Picture images of dancers stretching, horses racing, people at cafés, and a woman brushing her hair. At first glance, Edgar Degas might seem like the ultimate Impressionist. But here’s the fun part: Degas...
September Student of the Month • Poppy C.
Congratulations to our September Student of the Month, Poppy C. (age 8)! For the past two years, Poppy has been learning and creating with Pastimes for a Lifetime founder and veteran instructor, Linda Wehrli. It has been wonderful to watch her creativity and...
Art Scene 101 :: L. Cornelissen & Son
Our Art Scene Blog takes us on a journey back in time... What if your local art supply store had been around for more than 170 years? And what if generations of artists had walked through its doors looking for the perfect pigment, paper, brush, or simply a little...
Art Facts 101 :: Back to School, Back to Creativity
New notebooks? ✔️ Fresh pencils? ✔️ A brand-new school year? ✔️ But here's one thing that deserves a spot on every back-to-school checklist: creativity. When life gets busy with homework, sports, and after-school activities,...
August Student of the Month :: Penny K.
Congratulations to our August Student of the Month, Penny K. (age 8)! For the past two years, Penny has been studying with Pastimes for a Lifetime founder and instructor Linda Wehrli, and her artistic growth has been nothing short of inspiring. During that time, she...
Artist Interview :: Mary Jane Ansell
The first time you see Mary Jane Ansell's work, you're drawn in by the extraordinary realism. But look a little longer, and something unexpected happens. Her portraits begin to feel like visual poetry, filled with symbolism, mystery, and quiet emotion that invite you...
June 2026 Student of the Month • Alex H.
Joining us all the way from Washington State via Zoom, Alex H. has been studying with Founder/Instructor Linda Wehrli for the past two years. Through dedication, curiosity, and consistent practice, she has developed an impressive body of work that showcases her...
Music History 101 :: Monique de la Bruchollerie
On April 20, the remarkable French pianist Monique de la Bruchollerie would have celebrated her 111th birthday, and what a legacy she left behind. Born in Paris in 1915 into a deeply musical family, Monique showed extraordinary talent almost immediately. By the age of...
About the Founder
I’ve been committed to continuing lifelong learning and inspiring creative thinking through art and music since 1989. I’d love to meet you! You’re welcome to chat with me on Zoom or stop by the studio. Just shoot me an email at Linda@pastimesinc.com and I’ll be glad to set up a mutually convenient time.Click to continue →