Treasures By You

Treasures by You allows painters of all skill levels to express their inner artist through creating their own personal works of art.

Sister duo Cathy Tittle and Vicky Clayton opened the art studio in April 2010 with a mission to bring the love and adventure of painting to as many people possible, said Clayton.  

At Treasures by You, individuals will learn basic painting techniques, such as certain brush strokes, color application and how to make minor corrections. Classes are not structured classes and instead focus more on the enjoyment and relaxing aspect of painting, Clayton said.

“I’m here to assist you and not paint for you unless you ask me to. Unlike a four week class where it takes you a month to finally produce a painting, in three hours you’ll be able to take home your finished piece,” she said. “I just want everyone to relax and have fun. Just enjoy what you are painting.”

Each session has a specific “experience,” which the sisters post on their monthly calendar allowing painters to choose which classes they would like to attend. Each experience is chosen by Tittle and Clayton and are paintings that they have already painted themselves, which gives them the ability to teach students how to paint the portrait and successfully incorporate all of the elements on canvas, Clayton said.

Recently, Treasures by You had a class dedicated to Monet’s “Water Lilies” and a class where students painted the Golden Gate Bridge.  According to Clayton, Monet’s “Water Lilies” is one of the larger and more popular classes where variations of Monet's "Water Lilies" are created.

Elizabeth Eusebio has attended four classes at Treasures by You and enjoys the atmosphere of the class, she said. Eusebio’s first painting was a flower, followed by Picasso’s “Blue Nude,” her third was “Snowy Chapel” and most recently the Golden Gate Bridge.  

“I have never painted before and while I was a little intimidated and extremely nervous at first, the class and the instructor, Vicky, made it so comfortable for any beginner. I do not have an artistic bone in my body; however, even I am surprised at what I have been able to paint,” Eusebio said. "My most personal favorite was the Blue Nude. I get the most compliments on that painting and the hardest for me was the Golden Gate Bridge.”

Though Eusebio has struggled with a few pieces she enjoys spending her time at the studio and wouldn't mind attending a future class to produce another painting, she said.

“It is a fun way to get a bunch of girlfriends together and bring a couple bottles of wine and have a good time. Vicky plays the most relaxing music while we paint and she is very patient. She walks around and gives everybody personal attention. That is what I like the most,” Eusebio said. “I would definitely recommend Treasures By You and I have five friends who are just as hooked as I am. “

Hundreds of paintings are produced at Treasures by You and some have even sold at the Art, Wine and Chocolate Festival held at the Suisun Waterfront.

Treasures by You offers an evening class every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 pm. Morning classes are scheduled Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an afternoon class is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Reservations are required so that Clayton can set up the correct amount of work stations.  Reservations can be made by contacting the studio or visiting Treasures by You.

Each class is $25, but includes all of the supplies needed to create a personal work of art. Paint, paint brushes, aprons, styrofoam plate palettes, easels and an individual 16 x 20 canvas is provided at each of the classes.  Treasures by You also allow participants to bring a snack and beverage of choice, including wine if above the legal age limit.

Cathy Tittle resides in Alabama and was unavailable for an interview. Though she isn’t always in town she keeps in contact with all of her fellow Suisun painters via Facebook and Twitter and continuously expresses her appreciation for the ongoing support of Treasures by You as shown in a recent Facebook update.

 “We appreciate all our fans and hope you are having as much fun with the painting experience as we are providing it for you,” Tittle said.

Treasures by You is located at 411 Main St.