A little bit about our teachers
Heather Dekker
Catherine Wood
Heather Dekker
Heather Dekker has worked in fine art galleries and in the picture framing industry for many years. She is a graduate of Sheridan College's Illustration program and has worked as a commercial artist for Avonlea Traditions and Apple Press Publishing before opening the Creative Palette Studio in 2010.
Amber Blythe
Catherine Wood
Heather Dekker
Amber Blythe is a local Barrie artist who graduated from Fanshawe College. She has been dedicated to watercolour and mixed media art; working with students and instructing and painting daily. She is inspired by life, nature, and she also paints en plein air. She teaches both our youth and teen programs.
Catherine Wood
Catherine Wood
Catherine Wood
Catherine is currently painting in her studio in Barrie, primarily working in oils, acrylics and pastels. She has spent her life moving and travelling and is inspired by a deep love of Canada. Catherine has extensive teaching background and she is trained in the European tradition of reproducing masters’ work .
A Creative Place for you...
Our Story
The Creative Palette was originally opened in Thornton, Ontario in May 2010. As of April 8th, 2015, we moved to 36 Wellington St. in Barrie. In this bright century home we will continue to grow our reputation for outstanding art programming for all ages and levels and offer quality picture framing service to Barrie and surrounding areas. We believe that the process of discovering, framing or creating art is therapeutic and by offering a small personalized home-based business where service still matters, we can give our customers a brief respite from a very busy world.
"I believe that everyone should find time to play and artistic expression in any form can transform your life. We are all creative beings and taking time to explore our creativity can lead to a feeling of joy and peace." Heather Dekker
Heather Dekker - Artist in Residence
Heather Dekker graduated from Sheridan College's Illustration Program in 1990, while working as a picture framer and an art teacher. "One of the many really good things about the program at Sheridan is it really taught me how to draw and to see what I am drawing. It gave me many hours working in life drawing and structural drawing which to me is the basis of being able to accurately portray my subjects. As well it offered a variety of painting, printmaking and designing programs where you learned composition, colour theory and technique. It is one of the reasons today I like experimenting with the mediums and I continually thrive to push the boundaries of what I know. I love my job because I never stop learning and it gives me a creative advantage most picture framers do not have."
Our Inspiration is you.
In this natural setting, and with very small class sizes, we will encourage others to explore their creativity. Our studio has a large solarium off the back and backs on to 3/4 of an acre into perennial gardens where you can create both indoors and out. As we continue to build programs and invite new artists into the studio our inspiration is you. We strive to build confidence in our students and to give children, teens or adults a positive environment in which they can explore art in a joyful manner and in a peaceful, no pressure program. To approach with just the sheer joy of playing, opens up a world of possibilities in the simple act of creating. It is a wonderful sense of accomplishment." Heather Dekker.