Our Artists
Once Upon a Canvas was created by a group of local artists who came together to provide a place to show their work, as well as the work of other artists within the community, to share their knowledge and experiences, and to have fun while doing it.
Linda Peonsin
Artist Original Owner and Teacher
I come from a long line of artists in my family and had never thought I would actually join their ranks. But one day I finally put paint to a canvas and found the passion to express myself that had always been missing. I had long dreamed of having a place where I could pursue this passion, share my knowledge and learn from others. Once Upon a Canvas is that dream come true.
onceuponacanvasbenicia.com
Pam McMillan
Original Owner and Forever In Our Thoughts! In Loving Memory
Rejina Christopher
Artist Member and Teacher
Artist Member and Teacher
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Rejina Christopher – multi-media artist, was born creative and can transform anything she touches. After raising numerous horses and 3 children she and her husband, a fellow artist, moved to California. The real adventure began as she now had the time to dedicate herself fully to her art. Photography, graphics, drawing, assemblage, mixed media, glass work, pottery and video are only some of the media she has explored in her years on this planet.
thelittleartshop.com
thelittleartshop.com
Beth Grimm
Artist Member and Teacher
Artist Member and Teacher
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Beth Grimm is a self taught artist, with the help of many workshops and training over the last 30 years. Her specialty is putting things together to make art. She takes photography and art forms and combines them in this class into incredible images. Her extensive training in photography, watercooler, abstract, mixed media, and various miscellaneous art classes and workshops all over the country gives her unique perspective.
bethgrimmcreativearts.com
bethgrimmcreativearts.com
Mary Parkerson
Artist Member and Teacher
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Born and raised in New Orleans in a family of artists, Mary began painting at an early age. By the time she was a teenager she was teaching in her own art school for children. She has won numerous awards and was a very popular demonstrator for art clubs in Silicon Valley, CA. It was there that she taught painting in elementary schools and at Adult Education for years, as well as privately. She always held high respect for Paul Cezanne's still life paintings and began painting full time in 1995 when her youngest child began kindergarten. Those fond of her work have expressed they get a feeling of romanticism when viewing her art. Her renderings are also influenced by the early California Impressionists, especially Edgar Payne and Armin Hansen. What Mary says about this work: "The reason I paint is to capture and convey to others what I see as beauty in my subjects, often bringing out hidden charm in everyday scenes.” In recent months, she has developed a taste for creating abstracts, sometimes adding mixed media and collage papers to them. Some convey tender emotions, others a sense of passion. Mary has previously shown her paintings in galleries & businesses in Carmel, Carmel Valley, Saratoga Sunnyvale and Los Altos, CA, as well as her own gallery in Benicia in 2012. Having had many great teachers such as renowned artists Robert Burridge and Michael Linstrom, she recalls gathering very valuable information from every single one of them. She completed the art program at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA and studied art additionally in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. From there she went on to get her teaching credential in Fine Arts and Crafts at San Jose State University.
maryparkerson.com
maryparkerson.com
Vanessa Martel
Artist Member
Linda Schrieber
Artist Member
Artist Member
Linda Schreiber’s paintings and photos highlight her return to two longtime passions: painting and photography. In her 20's, Linda and her partner, Bill Allison ran a company called “Allison Wonderwalls,” painting album covers for record companies. If any of you walked or drove past Tower Records at Columbus and Bay Streets in San Francisco’s in the 70's and saw the paintings of the album covers outside Tower Records, chances are Linda painted some or all of those album covers.
After years of painting murals and billboards in the Bay Area, Linda enrolled at Mills College, where she minored in art and photography. Linda went on to earn a teaching credential. Using art to teach children concepts of our ancient world followed, along with teaching adults computer programs to develop their artistic abilities.
Retiring to Benicia four years ago brings Linda inspiration from the gorgeous local scenery. Patrons of Benicia’s Little Art Shop and art festivals along First Street have bought her work and Linda of “Once Upon a Canvas” encouraged her to return to painting, too. Linda now paints renditions of her photos and other picturesque scenery and hones her craft in Once Upon a Canvas’ painting classes.
After years of painting murals and billboards in the Bay Area, Linda enrolled at Mills College, where she minored in art and photography. Linda went on to earn a teaching credential. Using art to teach children concepts of our ancient world followed, along with teaching adults computer programs to develop their artistic abilities.
Retiring to Benicia four years ago brings Linda inspiration from the gorgeous local scenery. Patrons of Benicia’s Little Art Shop and art festivals along First Street have bought her work and Linda of “Once Upon a Canvas” encouraged her to return to painting, too. Linda now paints renditions of her photos and other picturesque scenery and hones her craft in Once Upon a Canvas’ painting classes.
Claudia Bennett
Artist Member
Artist Member
I grew up in a family that was artistic and creative. Throughout my childhood there were always art and sewing projects to do with my mother and aunt who inspired me!
As an adult, I self-published a children's sewing book and took many art classes at the colleges near me. I also attended workshops in Mendocino and Point Reyes with my mother and aunt which taught me new techniques and presented new challenges.
I recently retired from teaching at the Middle School and High School level where I taught Culinary Arts, Sewing and Child Development. I needed a new challenge and had the time for it now, so I started taking classes at Once Upon a Canvas in 2017 with Charles White. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me. He has taught me so many useful techniques that have improved my paintings greatly!
I love to travel and take photos of places I've seen to use as subjects for my paintings. A new painting idea is always just around the corner.
As an adult, I self-published a children's sewing book and took many art classes at the colleges near me. I also attended workshops in Mendocino and Point Reyes with my mother and aunt which taught me new techniques and presented new challenges.
I recently retired from teaching at the Middle School and High School level where I taught Culinary Arts, Sewing and Child Development. I needed a new challenge and had the time for it now, so I started taking classes at Once Upon a Canvas in 2017 with Charles White. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me. He has taught me so many useful techniques that have improved my paintings greatly!
I love to travel and take photos of places I've seen to use as subjects for my paintings. A new painting idea is always just around the corner.
Samantha McNally
Artist Member and Teacher
Samantha McNally studied Art at Ramapo College in Mahwah, NJ, Ridgewood School of Art in Ridgewood, NJ and The School of Visual Arts in NYC. Besides showing her art at Once Upon a Canvas Studio Gallery, Samantha’s paintings hang in the Valley Art Gallery in Walnut Creek, CA and in many shows around the Bay Area. Samantha McNally served as the President of the California Watercolor Association (CWA) from 2007 through 2010 and as Communications Director in 2011. Samantha is currently the CWA Webmaster and Data Manager. She paints watercolor paintings en plein air and in the studio and teaches watercolor at Once Upon a Canvas in Benicia.
www.samanthamcnally.com
www.samanthamcnally.com
Charles White
Artist Member and Teacher
Charles White is one of America's most prolific and popular artists working today. In the past 25 years Charles has produced and sold close to 1000 original oil paintings through major galleries and reproductions of his work on canvas and paper have sold in the thousands around the world.
His images adorn book covers,greeting cards,calendars,puzzles,plates and many other products across the U.S. and Canada. He has been the subject of many press articles and given many workshops and lectures around the country. He produced an instructional video and has written a book about his life and work called, "The Path Worth Taking" published in 2011.
His over 50 years of painting experience are clearly evident in his luminous, multi-layered oils that invite the viewer into a world of tranquil beauty and timeless elegance.
www.charleswhite.net
His images adorn book covers,greeting cards,calendars,puzzles,plates and many other products across the U.S. and Canada. He has been the subject of many press articles and given many workshops and lectures around the country. He produced an instructional video and has written a book about his life and work called, "The Path Worth Taking" published in 2011.
His over 50 years of painting experience are clearly evident in his luminous, multi-layered oils that invite the viewer into a world of tranquil beauty and timeless elegance.
www.charleswhite.net
Michelle Dawn Gandley
Artist Member
I painted my first watercolor when I was 12 years old and my mother still has this painting framed and hanging in her home. After a 40 year career in Pharmacy, I retired several years ago and began painting again.
I use many different mediums, such as watercolor, acrylics, and pastels. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style.
I live in the SF bay area and travel to Mexico frequently. After a trip to the botanical gardens in Puerto Vallarta, I was so inspired by the abundant and beautiful plant life and hummingbirds, I felt compelled to paint some of the photos that I took. That started my painting obsession 40 years after painting my first watercolor.
mdgarts.com
I use many different mediums, such as watercolor, acrylics, and pastels. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style.
I live in the SF bay area and travel to Mexico frequently. After a trip to the botanical gardens in Puerto Vallarta, I was so inspired by the abundant and beautiful plant life and hummingbirds, I felt compelled to paint some of the photos that I took. That started my painting obsession 40 years after painting my first watercolor.
mdgarts.com
