Fine Art by Ane

For artist Ane Howard, painting is a way to make sense of the world, capturing fleeting moments through color, light, and texture. As an abstract figurative and mixed-media painter, she’s spent decades exploring the art of visual storytelling, drawing inspiration from the coastal fog of Ventura County, the changing landscapes around her, and the small details of everyday life that often go unnoticed. That sense of curiosity and discovery carries through to her teaching, too.

Ane’s journey into teaching grew from a desire to bring art out of isolated studio spaces and back into the community. She wanted to create an accessible, welcoming sanctuary where absolutely anyone—from complete beginners to seasoned artists—could step away from digital burnout and reconnect with their own intuition. Through her open-air painting workshops, she shares the grounding, therapeutic benefits of making art outdoors with anyone curious about picking up a brush. 

Ane believes painting makes space to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and enjoy the simple pleasure of creating. Her classes offer plenty of ways to do just that, including peaceful outdoor seascape classes, private oil painting lessons, and meditative group art sessions.

Walking into my class for the first time feels like…

“Stepping into a mini-retreat. Surrounded by fresh air and the natural beauty of Southern California, beginners quickly realize that the focus isn’t on capturing the scene perfectly, but rather on sensory exploration—feeling the brush move across the canvas, mixing bold hues, and translating their personal impressions into vibrant color.”

Beyond technical brushstrokes and color mixing, you'll learn…

“How to trust your intuition and embrace the unexpected ‘happy accidents’ that happen on the canvas. I emphasize a therapeutic approach to making art, teaching you how to slow down, observe your surroundings deeply, and build a painting layer by layer.”

My favorite part of teaching is…

“How strangers sitting side-by-side at easels overlooking the harbor or a coastal park transition from polite hellos to sharing life stories within the first half-hour. Participants often arrive with a friend or partner to celebrate milestones—like birthdays, anniversaries, or simply marking a much-needed mental health day away from work. The shared vulnerability of putting paint to canvas in a public, beautiful space creates a collective spirit of celebration.”

Painting outdoors brings people together because…

“It strips away the distractions of modern life. When you are standing side-by-side facing a landscape, trying to capture the light or mix a specific shade of blue, the superficial chatter of daily life falls away. That shared focus creates a unique kind of intimacy and camaraderie. When someone steps back and shares a breakthrough—or laughs at a misplaced brushstroke—it invites others to drop their guard.”

One moment from a class I'll never forget is…

“A participant joined a workshop insisting they couldn't even draw a straight line and spent the first twenty minutes staring nervously at the white canvas. Instead of chasing realism, I encouraged them to close their eyes, breathe in the ocean air, and just respond emotionally to the bright California light and the deep blues of the water. By the end of the session, that same student had created a remarkably expressive, highly intuitive abstract seascape bursting with rich texture and vibrant emotion. When they stepped back to look at it, their face lit up with absolute wonder. Witnessing that shift—from hesitant anxiety to genuine artistic pride—is always unforgettable.”

One thing I wish more people knew about painting is…

“People often worry that they will embarrass themselves or hold the group back because they haven't touched a paintbrush since grade school. I always emphasize that my workshops are designed specifically for everyday people, beginners, and anyone looking to decompress. Art is not a test to be passed or failed; it is a language of expression available to everyone.”

I hope everyone leaves my class with…

“The knowledge that they possess an authentic, unique voice and that the act of creating is a powerful tool for self-discovery and peace. Whether they ever pick up a paintbrush again or not, I hope they carry that afternoon's sense of presence, freedom, and self-compassion back into their daily lives—remembering that play, expression, and joy are always within their reach.”