THE ART OF TEACHING

I’m Teaching My Family How to Paint in Oil

All of us are artists with our own unique challenges to overcome

Our table was filled with oil paints, palettes, and paintings in progress — it is the best way I can think of to spend a holiday such as Mother’s Day. Photo by Anne Kullaf ©2025

Last Sunday was Mother’s Day here in the United States. A day when most people buy their mom flowers, take her to brunch, maybe buy her some jewelry or something else that she really enjoys. Not in my house — I spent the day giving oil painting lessons to my husband, daughter, and her girlfriend.

Interestingly, but not too surprisingly, all of us are artists in one form or another — and we have discovered that we love to paint together!

Mom, can you teach us how to paint in oil?

It all started a few months ago when my daughter, a talented graphic designer, first asked if I would teach her and her girlfriend, who is a talented web designer, how to paint with oils.

I laughed and said “you already know how to paint in oils, you’ve been watching me do it your whole life.” She replied, “yes but I was just a kid then (she is 28), we’d like to really learn the right way to do it.” My husband, an industrial designer, overheard this entire conversation and came into the room saying “me too, me too!”

Okay then, I guess I have three new students, enough for a private group class. Let’s give…