Local artist Vickie Gough Waller turns love of painting into business

Vickie Gough Waller, a Front Royal artist, offers painting parties and classes in the region./ Photos Norma Jean Shaw

FRONT ROYAL – Vickie Gough Waller has long since forgotten the name of her fifth-grade art teacher, but she says there is something she learned from the class she never forgot. Dimension and color, and the ways in which they can be used to create artwork remained with Vickie, though she only began painting a few years ago.

A professional hair stylist for over 20 years, Vickie says she only began painting in 2009, after an easel she bought her daughter as a Christmas gift sat unused. After purchasing supplies and deciding what to paint, she tried her hand at  painting. Her talent was immediately evident.

“My father-in-law was convinced I was doing a paint-by-number kit, “ she said, “until he looked at the blank canvas and realized it was all me!”
From that point, painting became Vickie’s hobby, and the canvases began accumulating.

With no real art training, she simply began painting images she visualizes in her mind’s eye. When asked if her talent is a family trait, she smiled and stated, “My father was a huge impact on me–I’m just like my dad!”

Fast-forward to April, 2016 and she decided to set up a group painting class/party for a family member’s birthday gathering. “It was a blast!” she said enthusiastically.

Vicki, a vivacious lady who loves to laugh and interact with others, decided that her love of making art, socializing and helping others might be a way to create her own business. With the help of daughter Samantha, who turned 20 this week, N2 Painting Parties/Classes began offering painting events.

A sample of Vickie Gough Waller’s work, painted for a prospective client.

Vickie works with her clients to help them select a painting that each participant will create from a blank canvas, and once the client has determined a date and location for the painting party, the duo bring everything that is needed to set up at the client’s venue.

While the host provides tables and chairs, the ladies provide a canvas and easel for each painter, brushes and paint, table cloths and even smocks to protect the artists’ clothing.

Classes are typically $35 per participant, based upon a canvas size of 11 by 14, and as many as 60 participants can sign up for an event, which typically runs about three hours, or a little longer.

Often, a participant wants to “personalize” a painting, by changing or adding something to the picture being painted, which Vickie encourages.

“Part of being an artist is seeing others’ artistic abilities,” she said.

This painting will be featured at a fundraiser slated for Sept. 9 at the South Warren Volunteer Fire Hall in Bentonville

Vickie says her clients have booked painting parties for a variety of celebrations, and some, just for the fun of it. She and her daughter had attended birthday celebrations, bridal showers, gender reveal parties and a number of fundraisers.

For nonprofits looking for a fundraiser, N2 Painting Parties/Classes offers events as well. In fact, an upcoming event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1:30 p.m. at the South Warren Volunteer Fire Hall in Bentonville. For more details on the event, contact Jean at Donahoe’s Florist.

To book a painting party visit the Facebook page N2 Painting Parties/Classes or call Vickie at 540-683-1209.

Two paintings created this week by Vickie Gough Waller.