Meet Allison Delaney-Lopez of Calico Canvas in Woodland Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Delaney-Lopez.

Allison, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up loving art classes and photography. After college, I was lucky enough to get a job teaching children’s art classes, and that’s when I learned how much I enjoy helping others make their own art. So many people get frustrated and intimidated by creating. It’s really hard to make something look the way you see it in your head! For that reason, it’s very rewarding for me to be able to show my students some basic tools, and watch where they go from there.

After almost 10 years working in a few different studios, I realized it was time for me to branch out on my own. One evening while walking through The French Quarter in Woodland Hills I said to my husband, Curtiss, that it would be a beautiful location for an art studio. In February 2016 with a lot of help and encouragement, we opened Calico Canvas.

Over the past year people from ages 4 to 87 have come in to the studio. Either for oil painting classes, wine and paint parties, birthday parties, or Summer Camp. I truly love meeting new people and finding out what has made them decide to learn something new, or get back to an old passion.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There were been many times, especially in the first 6 months of opening the business, that I was wide awake at 3:00am wondering if everything would turn out ok. After the 6 month mark, the momentum started picking up. Since then it’s become more of a fun adventure, and less of a scary rollercoaster. Lol.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Calico Canvas – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Calico Canvas is a place to learn how to paint. I specialize in oil paint, but I have also taught acrylic, watercolor, pastel, and drawing.

I am most proud of the reactions I get from customers. People tell me often how happy they are to have found my studio, and how diving into art has changed their lives.

The main thing that sets my business apart from others, is I have created a space that is comfortable and invites creativity. When people walk in, I want them to feel happy and at home, and I feel like that has really been accomplished.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I want to keep growing. Right now, I have classes offered 4 days a week, and I would love to offer more in the near future. Plus, I would really like to have other artists teach workshops in other mediums, i.e.: sewing, knitting, stained glass, etc.

Contact Info:

• Address: 20969 Ventura Blvd., #229
  Woodland Hills, CA 91364
• Website: www.calicocanvas.com
• Phone: 818-914-4391
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Calicocanvasart
• Facebook: Calico Canvas
• Yelp: Calico Canvas

Image Credit:
Owner/instructor: Allison Delaney
Student: Sharon Carlson

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