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
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
Vanessa Martel
Artist Member
Vanessa Martel-Solovskoy Photographer, Artist, Teacher & Studio/Gallery member at Once Upon a Canvas in Benicia CA
As a contemporary realist artist, I love nature, manicured blooming gardens, animals and our sweet town of Benicia. My artistic inspiration comes from the colorful landscapes that I have experienced and re-created in oil from my many travels to Europe and at our beautiful National Parks.
I am originally from Cannes France and moved to Santa Rosa, California with my sister's family who I thoroughly enjoyed visiting every summer as a young child. I speak French, English and Spanish and have a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Sonoma State University which lead my successful career into Cost Engineering and Project Management that I still enjoy doing today!
My artwork is a direct result of my wonderful classes with Charles White and with the support from the owner, the students and members at Once Upon a Canvas. I am grateful to be part of our Benicia community and look forward to share my artistic knowledge and artwork with you.
As a contemporary realist artist, I love nature, manicured blooming gardens, animals and our sweet town of Benicia. My artistic inspiration comes from the colorful landscapes that I have experienced and re-created in oil from my many travels to Europe and at our beautiful National Parks.
I am originally from Cannes France and moved to Santa Rosa, California with my sister's family who I thoroughly enjoyed visiting every summer as a young child. I speak French, English and Spanish and have a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Sonoma State University which lead my successful career into Cost Engineering and Project Management that I still enjoy doing today!
My artwork is a direct result of my wonderful classes with Charles White and with the support from the owner, the students and members at Once Upon a Canvas. I am grateful to be part of our Benicia community and look forward to share my artistic knowledge and artwork with you.
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.
Samantha McNally
Artist Member
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. Samantha is also the webmaster for this very website.
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
Fiona Hughes
Artist Member
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Fiona M. Hughes is an award-winner artist who has enjoyed painting all her life.
She is an illustrator and author of several children’s books, and is a commissioned artist of pet portraits, murals and a variety of requested pieces.
Experienced in many art mediums, from oils to clay and metal, Fiona is currently enchanted by watercolor. With ongoing tuition from watercolor artist, Samantha McNally, she currently exhibits and sells artwork at the Once Upon A Canvas Gallery in Benicia.
She is an illustrator and author of several children’s books, and is a commissioned artist of pet portraits, murals and a variety of requested pieces.
Experienced in many art mediums, from oils to clay and metal, Fiona is currently enchanted by watercolor. With ongoing tuition from watercolor artist, Samantha McNally, she currently exhibits and sells artwork at the Once Upon A Canvas Gallery in Benicia.
Bill Wages
Artist Member
Artist Member
I have been a professional photographer for 5 years, and my images are inspired by a passion for the natural world and my love of photography. By sharing these images, it is my hope that other people will have the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonders of nature and our beautiful world, as I see it through my lens.
My images are printed, matted and framed by me, and are available in other sizes and media, including canvas, metal or acrylic. Commissioned photography is available by request, and custom framing requests can also be accommodated, per requirements.
More images can be seen on my Facebook page at Bill Wages, and at my website:
Billwagesphotography.com
My images are printed, matted and framed by me, and are available in other sizes and media, including canvas, metal or acrylic. Commissioned photography is available by request, and custom framing requests can also be accommodated, per requirements.
More images can be seen on my Facebook page at Bill Wages, and at my website:
Billwagesphotography.com
Loretta Ose
Artist Member
Loretta has been a Benicia resident since 2005, and an artist since she was a little girl, drawing and painting for pleasure. During her years of studying various painting techniques and styles, she has developed her own flair for artistic expression. Painting primarily in acrylic and oils, her artwork ranges from impressionistic florals and landscapes, to bold abstracts. Its fluid lines and textures, interwoven with harmonies of flowing color, characterize her work.
Caitlin Douglas
Artist Member
I have always felt more at home in nature than anywhere else. It was no surprise to me that my art would evolve to that same passion. I draw on the personality of the animals or scene and try and capture that within the confines of a square canvas. I had tried to be tormented and modern with my work, harness the bad in my life to create art, but I was always drawn to the simple yet beautiful moments in life, especially those outdoors.
I was born and raised in Fairfax, CA with my three siblings. I was lucky enough to have a mother who nurtured and supported each of us in our own path. I started painting at the age of four and quickly realized that I always felt better when I was creating something. I continued with painting through all my schooling and went on to earn my BFA with an emphasis in painting from Sonoma State University. Unfortunately, life got in the way of painting for many years after graduating and it wasn’t until the birth of my son Malcolm that I felt the drive to put paint to canvas again. Since then I have been trying to find my new voice as an artist, mother and wife. I have been competing in local art competitions and earned a Best in Show at the Solano County Fair. I have had shows in San Francisco, San Rafael, Berkeley, Vallejo, Benicia and Sebastopol.
Please contact me at me@caitlindouglasdesign.com
Custom Commission Paintings Available
Find me on my website, CaitlinDouglasDesign.com. I can also be found on Facebook and Etsy at Caitlin Douglas Design.
I was born and raised in Fairfax, CA with my three siblings. I was lucky enough to have a mother who nurtured and supported each of us in our own path. I started painting at the age of four and quickly realized that I always felt better when I was creating something. I continued with painting through all my schooling and went on to earn my BFA with an emphasis in painting from Sonoma State University. Unfortunately, life got in the way of painting for many years after graduating and it wasn’t until the birth of my son Malcolm that I felt the drive to put paint to canvas again. Since then I have been trying to find my new voice as an artist, mother and wife. I have been competing in local art competitions and earned a Best in Show at the Solano County Fair. I have had shows in San Francisco, San Rafael, Berkeley, Vallejo, Benicia and Sebastopol.
Please contact me at me@caitlindouglasdesign.com
Custom Commission Paintings Available
Find me on my website, CaitlinDouglasDesign.com. I can also be found on Facebook and Etsy at Caitlin Douglas Design.
