Let spirit and imagination move you

“No rules!” and “Don’t be too careful!”

Those were the only instructions Cindi Schneider proclaimed to her 12 art students on the first day of class.

But Schneider’s is no ordinary classroom. Bottles of wine – brought in by the pupils – lined a back wall, a buffet table stuffed with finger food sat across from the beverages, and the students, mostly first-time artists, were encouraged to mingle as they prepared to create on canvas their own interpretation of a local artist’s work.

Welcome to Painting With Spirits evening class in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

The appropriately named business is a new venture by Schneider, an amateur artist-turned-entrepreneur who aims to help anyone find artistic inspiration. Located on Fourth Street about one block north of Sherman Avenue, the do-it-yourself art center has all the necessary supplies covered, including stools, easels, paint and step-by-step guidance from local artists. Before each session, which costs $35 on weekdays and $45 on weekends, the subject is posted online. There’s a different painting for each gathering.

Beyond that, the customers need only bring an open mind, some inspiration and, if need be, their own snacks and beverages.

“This is a great place if you’ve ever been interested in art, it’s a great place to start. You absolutely get hooked,” said Schneider, a New Orleans-area transplant who moved to join relatives in North Idaho several months ago and works at Candy O’Brien’s Boutique. Painting, she added, “is therapy. I’m so serious on that. Everybody laughs and everybody leaves here happy. … It’s really about camaraderie.”

After spending more than 20 years in southeastern Louisiana, where she raised two boys and lived through a handful of natural disasters, including the dry damage of downed trees and the like left in Hurricane Katrina’s wake, Schneider decided to embark on a “life change,” she said. As a longtime visitor to the Lake City area, Schneider knew exactly where that would take her.

However, even before the change of climates, Schneider had been mulling over the idea of opening her own small-business. “I kind of got hooked on it myself. I kind of rediscovered my artistic ability just this last year,” she said.

Taking inspiration from the Big Easy’s unique blend of art and culture, especially a favorite local spot called Corks and Canvas, as well as a passion to paint, Schneider felt Coeur d’Alene’s art scene could use a splash of color. A fan of the city’s monthly Art Walks, the art-appreciating atmosphere in downtown caught her attention early on. It wasn’t long after the 1,300-square-foot space on Fourth Street went on the market that Painting With Spirits moved in.

“I love this downtown because it’s more like a city. It’s got arts, music, restaurants,” Schneider explained as a dozen customers – all hairstylists from La Tourrette’s beauty salon – trickled in for a private party several weeks ago. Her studio, she continued, “is a great place for women my age, for couples, it gives you something to do during the winter months for date night.”

For the artists acting as teachers, the hands-on sessions provide a unique way to connect with a crowd.

“This is a new opportunity for me to get back into it,” said Kurt Albrethsen, a painter whose cheetah portrayal was the subject of the evening’s class.

But what about those people who think they lack the talent to paint a discernable profile, or even a stick figure? Not to worry, Albrethsen said.

“I think they will (be surprised with themselves). That’s been the experience so far. They just need a little bit of direction and they tend to run with it. There’s a little bit of an artist in everybody.”

That was the case with Connie Nielsen, a hairstylist by day, amateur artist by night and a repeat customer at Painting With Spirits. As the students settled into their seats, preparing to pencil in a rough outline of the large cat’s portrait before adding paint, Nielsen said she’s been surprised by her progress.

“My first time was last time, when we painted a zebra,” Nielsen said. “I surprised myself. I want to come on a regular basis. It’s just a way to reduce stress and let the creative side come out, and meet some people.”