Testimonials
Dear Sam!!! OMG, the class is amazing!! I am just soooo excited. I was a bit scared and skeptical on the 1st day… but was very surprised with myself on Friday! I posted some of the pictures on facebook and instagram … I really though the paintings I made were actually worth it!! Anyways… I am sure you hear that all the time, but … one more time: your class is amazing!!! And you are a wonderful teacher/person. I am so excited for the classes to come!!!!
Ok… thanks, thanks, thanks!! I finally feel that I can actually make something, and can kinda call myself an artist! Ana Zanella, January 2012
Ok… thanks, thanks, thanks!! I finally feel that I can actually make something, and can kinda call myself an artist! Ana Zanella, January 2012
Over a year and half ago, I had the great privilege of taking one of Samantha da Silva’s one day Acrylic abstract art workshops. I did not do this because I was particularly interested in painting but because my daughter gave this day of art to me as a gift. She felt that as a music professional, all I ever did was work and it was time I did something fun. I went to the workshop feeling like a fish out of water, everyone else there had painted in some form before. I had never picked up a brush, let alone a roller!
Ms daSilva was amazing. She made everyone feel as though they were special and that what they had to put on the canvas was important. She was so genuine, loving, interesting and informative, that the inner painter in all of us started to rise to the surface. I felt my inhibitions draining away and it seemed that I was being transported to a time long before I developed my inner critic.
Samantha da Silva gave me permission to be whoever I wanted to be on canvas. Because of her unique teaching skill and her openness in sharing the method of painting she developed, Samantha completely changed my life. Since taking this first lesson from this gifted artist, I have been painting almost continuously. Not only has Samantha daSilva inspired me as a painter; she has inspired me musically as well. I find that since taking these classes, I am more open to experiment and less censoring of my own musical compositions.
Although, Samantha daSilva is a young woman, she is an old soul with much to share with the world. I would recommend her as an instructor and mentor to anyone. She is my hero! Sherry Kennedy, November 2011
Ms daSilva was amazing. She made everyone feel as though they were special and that what they had to put on the canvas was important. She was so genuine, loving, interesting and informative, that the inner painter in all of us started to rise to the surface. I felt my inhibitions draining away and it seemed that I was being transported to a time long before I developed my inner critic.
Samantha da Silva gave me permission to be whoever I wanted to be on canvas. Because of her unique teaching skill and her openness in sharing the method of painting she developed, Samantha completely changed my life. Since taking this first lesson from this gifted artist, I have been painting almost continuously. Not only has Samantha daSilva inspired me as a painter; she has inspired me musically as well. I find that since taking these classes, I am more open to experiment and less censoring of my own musical compositions.
Although, Samantha daSilva is a young woman, she is an old soul with much to share with the world. I would recommend her as an instructor and mentor to anyone. She is my hero! Sherry Kennedy, November 2011
“I attended one of Samantha’s workshops in early 2010 and came away with three finished paintings after a day’s work. In the days that followed, I worked on several more paintings in my home and became so enthused with abstract art, that when I heard she was giving an eight week course, I rushed in to register for it. During that time, I completed many more paintings, each one different and unique in its own way. Samantha's classes gave me the inspiration and confidence to participate in several art shows, including the Medicine Hat Visual Arts Show, at which I received a ribbon for Honorary Mention on one of my paintings. I don’t think that I would have done this had I not taken Samantha's classes and come away more confidant than before. Her instruction and enthusiasm seems contagious and you just want to carry on and not stop what you are doing.” Darlene Beck, October 2010
"Samantha is as inspiring as the work she creates. Her classes are filled with lively discussions and her guidance is invaluable. At the end of each class I left with new words of encouragement and an uplifted spirit for abstract art. Not only was I introduced to new techniques and a fresh perspective, I gained a new confidence in my ability to paint from the supportive feedback I was given each week. Her instruction has taught me more than just how to manipulate paint on my canvas - it has also made me hopeful that as an aspiring artist, I too can be successful." Krista Bauer, September 2010
"I took your one day workshop through The Calgary School of Art in May. Your workshop was the most fun _ever_! I couldn't stop thinking about it and talking about it. I have used the techniques you taught at home and painted more than I've ever painted. It is positively addictive. Your course completely changed how I think about my own art and how to bring more feeling into my work. It was so much fun, I jumped at the chance to take it again in August. This time was just as exciting and fun and brought an even richer perspective to my work. You are a delightful teacher, thank you!" Alexis Cook, August 2010
"My life has changed since I took "The Workshop". In the first 10 days after the class I painted 19 canvases. I love painting and think about it all the time. Thank you so much for sharing your passion for painting and teaching a super fun way of painting." Marie Gelinas Giles
"As I was working away on one of the pieces from your workshop, I realized how grateful I am for the gift you gave us on Saturday. Your spirit, enthusiasm, and obvious talent combined to make it such a wonderful day. And, frankly, I LOVE working in this genre. In contrast to some of the arts I have worked with, I find that I have no fear in working with this. What a freeing notion that is! So thankyou so much... I know we paid for the workshop, but we got so much more from your creativity and concern for each of us." Stella Giacomazzi
"It is my good fortune to have Samantha as my first art teacher as she inspired me to put paint to canvas without fear, and to truly enjoy the process. She helped release the emerging artist in me. She is a generous spirit who unselfishly shares her techniques and ideas giving us the benefit of years of her experimentation and hard work. Samantha is a gift." Margery Knorr
"I just wanted to drop you a line after the fact to say once again THANK YOU. I really enjoyed the workshop in Edmonton and do hope you will be asked back. I put the final touches on my piece this week and varnished it last night. I have not stopped painting all week. You were like a little fuel to a fire of something I have been trying to do but have not quite been able to grasp. I greatly appreciate artists like you whom share with an open heart to inspire rather then withhold." Jennifer Noseworthy
"I took a 8-week abstract course with Samantha daSilva last winter. Every week, I was looking forward to spending some time with Samantha and my classmates because I knew I was going to learn something interesting and exciting. Sometimes, I even wished I could go to class more than once a week. Samantha is young and understanding of anyone and anything, which helps make the class interesting and intriguing. She helps her students understand what abstract painting is all about thanks to her enthusiasm and wonderful experience. She has a gift for guessing how her students feel and she makes it come out in their paintings. She is always so eager to teach that her students become eager to learn as well. Samantha’s painting techniques are very different from anyone else’s, and this makes every class fun and inspiring for everyone. It was one of my favourite classes I have ever taken, and I have taken many. It was worth every penny and more. I have come out if that class with more experience and successfully sold many of my paintings afterwards as a result of what I learned in Samantha’s class. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone interested in abstract painting."Alexandra Tremblay, ACAD Student
"You can't help but come away inspired after attending one of Samantha's workshops or art classes. Her creativity is infectious, and her unique painting techniques and methods always motivate me to push the envelope of color and texture further into the abstract!" Wendy Urban
