Using art to her advantage
Corner Brook woman opens art studio after leaving teaching job
Denise Hynes of Corner Brook has found numerous ways over the years to turn adversity into opportunity.
“I have epilepsy and my hands and arms tend to shake quite often. But, when I am painting, I’m steady; no shakes at all,” Hynes said.
A cancer survivor originally from Cow Head, Hynes was told at age 17 that she would never have children.
She’s the proud single mother of three sons: Tristan, 15, Brandon 13, and Dylan 12.
“My children give me strength to do anything, and they are my entire world, all three of them can draw and paint, they are awesome young men,” Hynes — who shares custody of the children with her ex-husband — said.
Hynes worked at an instructor at Academy Canada in Corner Brook for about five years.
With cutbacks in the college system, she found herself without full-time work.
Rather than sitting at home waiting for a call back, she decided to pursue a childhood dream of opening her own business.
“I’ve always wanted to have my own art studio ever since I was a little girl... it just so happened that, where the college was cut back, I had the opportunity to go to CBDC and get my funding to open up my own business,” an enthusiastic Hynes said.
Hynes has been drawing and painting since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Her
passion for art has never wavered.
“I’ve been an artist all my life. I absolutely love it. I love creating art and teaching it,” she said during a recent phone interview.
Hynes completed her first year of visual arts studies at Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook. She then transferred to culinary arts and earned her cooking papers.
Culinary arts is similar to creative arts, she said.
“When you’re creating a dish, you use your imagination. It doesn’t only have to be colourful it has to be flavorful. And your passion, your creativity, your soul also goes into your paintings,” she said.
Hynes said her parents, Dennis Hynes of Cow Head and Nora Payne of Corner Brook, have always encouraged her artistic endeavours.
Her boyfriend, Mark Randell, is also very supportive, she said.
Her business — Crimson Art Studio — is located on 80 Humber Rd. in Corner Brook.
She offers art classes for children, youth and adults of all ages.
Hynes also sells her own artwork, takes on specialized projects as requested by her customers, and enjoys hosting wine and art paint nights.
“I use water, acrylic, mixed media, transfers, oils, ink, plants and flowers... I sometimes build my own canvasses out of wood. My students, the younger children love them. We paint flowers on them,” Hynes said.
Most of her students use acrylic and oil in creating their artwork, she said.
Hynes will be hosting a paint night at Harbour Grounds in Corner Brook on July 19 from 5-7:30 pm.
She will also host an art show and exhibit (work created by Hynes and her students) at Starlings Bar in Corner Brook on July 29 from 6-9 pm. Some of the artwork will be for sale with other pieces being sold on auction.
For more information visit Crimson Art Studio on Facebook or Hynes’ website at www. crimsonartstudio.weebly.com.