Art created by children has a certain charm, just ask longtime instructor Annette Carter.

Five young students recently took to canvas at The Art Chalet in evening classes that run during the school year. On Sept. 10, the kids created a painting to represent some summer-time favorite shoes, a pair of flip flops, using whatever designs and vibrant colors of acrylic paint they chose. 

Carter encouraged their choices, helping them mix colors and offering a few tips. She often cheered on the students' ideas.

"I will guide them," Carter said. "If they need me to draw one eye, they'll look at that and draw the other eye themselves."

"They call me Miss Annette," she added, while smiling. "I'll go around the table, and I'm watching."

Mostly, the kids ages 8 to 9 worked independently drawing sandals and creative designs they thought up to put on the images. Then they painted the artwork with concentration, smiles and whimsical results as music from classic Disney movies played in the background.

Carter has taught fine arts to children and adults in Liberty Lake since 1997, with 11 of those years in her studio, The Art Chalet, at 23106 E. Melkapsi. The Bavarian-style building was constructed in 1954 as the original post office for the lake area. 

At the recent class, the students wore painting aprons provided by Carter, and they sat at a long table with their canvases and supplies.

Annella Lyon, 9, wanted to draw and paint Eiffel Tower designs on her flip flop art, so Carter brought her another painting with that landmark for Annella to follow as she sketched in pencil before applying paint. 

"I really like Paris," Annella said. She added that she finds all art enjoyable. "I like watercolor the best."

Ellie Edminster, 8, said she's taken classes at The Art Chalet for about three or four years.

"I like that I learn many new things," Ellie said. "I can get so much more experience here in art."

Another student, 8-year-old Riley Spackman, added her thoughts about classes: "I want to come here forever," she said. 

For her painting of flip flops, Riley envisioned a pattern resembling ocean coral, and she just needed a little help from Carter mixing colors.

"I'm trying to do a coral design," she said. "I want to make it look ocean-y. I've painted flowers too. That's my favorite, and I like painting animals."

"In classes, we do over 100 subjects," Carter said. She also exposes children to a variety of mediums from watercolors to chalks. Students try different techniques as well, such as spattering and glazing.

"There's up to 30 techniques with watercolor," Carter added. "We'll do something every week that's different. The children are quick learners, like little sponges."

During the school year, the Kids Class is held at 4:15 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and also at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Those sessions go for just over an hour. Children must be at least 5 years old. 

Carter charges $15 per class, and sessions are open to new students. She also offers package prices for a schedule that runs through December. New sessions start in January for the spring. Additionally, she holds longer art workshops during the summer and over school holiday breaks.

She also teaches adult classes, a session for home-schooled students, and another class tailored to special-needs young adults.

Over the past 18 years, Carter has taught numerous Liberty Lake children who began while in preschool and continued with instruction until high school graduation. Some of her young students successfully sell their artwork, she added. 

"It's naïve art; it's childlike art. I love that when that happens."

Each year she holds an end-of-summer pool party at her house for young students who take her summer classes. The Art Chalet also hosts an art show displaying children's work each spring.

"With adults, I do a demonstration," Carter said, about the differences between classes. "The kids just want to paint. With kids, I can say this is what we're doing. Once I give them a subject, then I tell them, ‘You can do whatever you want.'"

"I love kids; they're always giving me compliments." 

In the recent Kids Class, Carter continued around the table and suggested that Ellie switch to a smaller brush. "I owe all my talent to you," Ellie quipped.

"Oh, thank you," Carter responded. "See why I love it here?"

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