Intro/Community Painting class: Tending the Creative Fire

🎨 Come play with paint! Join us for our fun and creative monthly Intro to Intuitive Painting community class with The Center for Creative Exploration! Whether you're an absolute beginner or a continuing student, this class is perfect for all! Space is limited. Reserve your spot now! ✨

🧑🏽‍🎨What is intuitive painting? In our painting, there is a lot of permission to explore and create. This is not a typical ‘art’ class in which you will learn techniques and methods of painting; instead you will be expertly guided to tap in and listen to your intuition and paint from your heart. We learn to pay attention to our own intuitive voice that is free from beliefs and concepts. In this way paintings happen spontaneously, unplanned and unexpected!

🧑🏽‍🎨 Our experienced instructors will guide those new to intuitive painting and/or new to painting at home. All materials provided (high quality paint, brushes, paper, aprons) - just bring yourself!

📍In-studio classes are held at our painting studio in Glen Park, SF at 300 Chenery Street. All classes can also be taken online via Zoom.

💻 Painting via Zoom: For those interested in painting from home, we have found the creative force is present no matter where we are! For more information on painting from home with us, please visit our link on Painting From Home.

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"This place is amazing. The teachers and community members make it such a special place to express yourself. The workshops and drop in community classes are very meditative." - Eliza D.

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"Very relaxing and fun class. Left feeling peaceful and satisfied. I'm definitely coming back." - Renee M.

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"I've been participating in the class via Zoom (online). I love how this class helps me get in touch with myself after being out in the busy, often crazy, world." - Kim B.

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"Beautiful space, great facilitators. Even in just two hours, I feel like I’m not only connected with myself but had a wonderful time with my friends for a lovely connection time. I’m definitely coming back." - Onna L.

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"Do you remember the joy of painting as a child? The first time you picked up the brush and luscious colors flowed across the paper?
You can experience that excitement of discovery again at The Center for Creative Exploration. You will be guided in your journey by intuitive painting guide Claudia, whose incredibly perceptive guidance has made it possible for me to re-experience the delight I felt with my first brushstrokes.
This approach is process rather than product oriented. You are guided not to copy, but to draw upon the deepest recesses of your mind, emotions and experience to create something brand new. We start by painting for ourselves, not for some imagined audience. Our painting process is not decorative and sometimes not beautiful in the conventional sense but is an expression of our inner self. As I began painting here, my daily life experience took on more color and hue and I began to feel more deeply. Though painting, with Claudia's facilitation, insight has blossomed.
I hope you will give it a try. Creativity makes the world a happier place." - Shari G.

About us

Established in 1999, the painting studio is a lively place filled with light, color, and the warmth of a community sharing a space in which to explore the creative process. The Center for Creative Exploration is a nonprofit organization and values freedom of expression with brush in hand and beyond. We are committed to creating a sense of community in our painting studio where people feel comfortable to be themselves in whatever way they choose. We are committed to providing an affirming, welcoming, and accessible studio for all people through co-creation and open communication.

We offer weekly adult classes, community classes, workshops, retreats and kids/family classes. Check out our upcoming events here!

🖌️ For additional information on intuitive painting and our studio, please visit our website or email [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram & Facebook to join our social media community!

Our teachers

Claudia Erzinger is a teacher and the Executive Director at the Center for Creative Exploration. She started painting there in 2000, with Barbara Kaufman, one of CCE’s founders (watch her video here), and began teaching the intuitive painting practice in 2006. Claudia has also studied with Michele Cassou (the originator of the Point Zero Method of painting). Claudia brings experience from many traditions and practices to her work with painters at CCE. In her 20s, she began formal training as a nurse and soon decided to specialize in hospice care, which she continues to this day. She has studied meditation, Buddhism, and Yoga. Claudia also engages in Soulwork—a form of inquiry rooted in deep listening and stillness, and the way of love—with Michael Regan.

Maria Freebairn-Smith is a teacher and Family Program Coordinator at the Center for Creative Exploration. She has been painting and teaching the intuitive painting process for over 30 years. She participated in the first teacher training for The Painting Experience, facilitated by Michele Cassou and Stewart Cubley. Along with Barbara Kaufman and others, Maria was one of CCE’s original founders. She also helped to establish the nonprofit Drawbridge: An Arts Program for Homeless Children, and The Open Circle Cooperative Preschool, both in San Francisco.

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Along with her process painting training, Maria holds a degree in Psychology from Barnard College, Columbia University, and has a graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice Practices. Other advanced trainings include Waldorf Early Childhood Education, Middendorf Breath experience, and Motion Improvisational Theater.

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When Maria began raising a family, she moved to Sonoma County. Focusing on education for children in her new community, she founded The Creative Parenting Center and helped establish Sunridge, a Waldorf-methods charter school. Returning to the CCE painting community, Maria brings a lifetime commitment to body, breath, and inquiry practices that ground her teaching in a broad transpersonal perspective.

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