Workshop Reviews, SimpleArtForms

Don’t let the fear to take over! You can do it! The most important thing is to enjoy the process!!”
And, to my surprise, I both enjoyed it (a lot!), and left with a beautiful gift – my very first silk painting!
It all happened after I finally let go….. my perfectionism, my self doubt, and my believe that I can not paint.
Lidia, thank you so much for holding such an amazing space of self-acceptance and creativity.
It was much more than just a painting class for me, it was an art therapy!

Zhanna

I’ve been taking Batik painting art classes with Lidia at her Simple Art Forms Studio since October 2021.

Lidia is a very inspirational and professional teacher. She has lots of ideas and is very knowledgeable about different painting techniques, styles and materials. She has a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere in her class. She allows students to work at their own pace and express themselves in their own way. Lidia gives her students lots of personal attention and is always ready to help and provide guidance.

I think Lidia’s classes encourage students to express themselves, promote creativity and help them connect with their inner self.

Lidia’s batik classes are appropriate for all levels, beginners to advanced and are very easy to follow.

Yana Fisher

I attended Lidia’s workshop batik workshop for the first time this winter. It was such a fun and unique experience to learn about her signature medium of painting on silk. I got so much out of this class! I knew we were going to be painting, but I did not realize how in depth I would be tapping into my creative spirit. I had a blast getting “in the zone” during Lidia’s class. I’m not a painter per say, but I was VERY pleased with my end product. It turned out to be far from my original intention, but the process of trusting this work and my own flow, was what this was all about. Lidia’s graceful instruction, patience and mantra of “BE BRAVE” continues to guide me well after I put down the brush at the end of her class. I highly recommend to any person, of any level. What a gift Lidia has!

Jessi Woo

100% easy, warm, smiling in the same language! Thank you! And thanks for the reminder to take time for myself and create!

Moira Carroll

Lidia is fabulous! Thank you for the fun

Such a lovely inspired instructor!

Jodi Lutz French

Lidia, thank you for leading an inspiring, accessible and creative workshop.
All participants were engaged and at the end remarked how much they enjoyed it.
I have already gotten a few positive comments in the anonymous program survey and one participant called me to comment how much she enjoyed the workshop.
Lidia, it was a pleasure to coordinate your workshop and witness you magic.

The Public Library of Brookline

Beautiful evening of painting and connecting with amazing women

❤️❤️❤️ Thank you, Lidia for teaching us to trust the creative process 🙏🙏🙏

Oksana

Dear Lidia,
I just want to say Thank You for a wonderful class of painting on silk last night in Weston.
I loved that you gave clear instructions, but also allowed each of us to express the landscape in our own way. And what an amazing array of different paintings in our class!! Fabulous!
Thank you so much for a really enjoyable class!
I’d love to do a Batik Workshop sometime!

With gratitude,

Colleen Lucas

Dear Lidia,I am looking forward to our workshop tomorrow! I just found the instructions you handed out last year for heat setting silk. I also just read an interview you gave earlier this year about your journey as an artist emigrating from Russia and I can see you are putting your heart into growing your teaching business! I am impressed – You are clearly a hard working, intelligent woman. I know English is not your first language, and in a small effort to help, I took the liberty of editing your heat fixing instructions so that who you are is not lost in a few word choice/sentence errors. I hope you view this action in the spirit it was intended – a helping hand from one woman to another 🙂

Best,

Cathy

Wonderful class, full of inspiration, support and fun at many levels. Painting on silk was something new to me and the whole process and a final result were very pleasing. Looking forward to attend more classes.

Natalija

“I just got this really sweet email from a participant that said “Thank you for having this workshop! I am now OBSESSED with painting on silk!”

Stoneham Public Library

Dear Lidia,

I had a wonderful time learning from you, trying different effects on the fine silk surface. Thank you so much!

Sincerely,

Aida

Lidia is a talented artist with a deep understanding of silk painting techniques. Arts Wayland feels so lucky to have her on our roster as a teacher, both because of the rave reviews she gets from students, as well as the fact that she is a joy to work with. I highly recommend Lidia’s class to anyone looking to explore their artistic side as she is a fabulous teacher!

Robyn Gray

Program Manager

Arts Wayland, Inc

My husband and I had a pleasure to attend Lidia’s painting on a silk pomegranate class. This was a first time for both of us. We got a little nervous in the beginning, but Lidia’s instructions were so positive, clear, confident, so we enjoyed the process, even it didn’t end up the way we expected. Well, it was a part of painting on the silk rule. It was a really great process to reconnect with your inner self and with each other. Plus enjoy company wonderful group. Looking forward to Lidia’s next class!

Alena&Robert

I recently returned from Lidia’s silk painting session, and it was incredible! The environment was very welcoming, and I felt completely at ease. Lidia is an excellent teacher; she made everything clear and driven us to be creative. I had a lot of fun painting on silk and came away with a lovely piece to take home. I can hardly wait for the next class! If you’re searching for a fun method to express yourself, I strongly recommend attending one of Lidia’s classes!

Natasha

Lidia,

I had so much fun at today’s class! You’re a very encouraging teacher and I really enjoyed the process. I’d love to keep experimenting with painting on silk at home.

I hope to take another class with you in the future!

Jen Leonard

Today’s silk painting class was so different from the last (flowers)! I learned so many new techniques and love the results! Thank you once again for hosting and making such wonderful classes available! I certainly would not have been able to do this on my own!

Audrey

Thanks, Lidia for the class at the New England Botanic Garden. It was fun. I will do another class if you have one and recommend it to others. Thanks again!

Jane

Thank you for a wonderful class. I learned a lot. I hope I can attend many more classes. I would love to know where I can order the silk and paints. Thank you again and have a wonderful Christmas. Hope to see you soon.
Joselle

Painting on Silk with Lidia Mikhaylova has become one of the Millbury Public Library’s most in-demand programs this year, so much so that we have booked her four times already! The second time we offered this program, registration and the waiting list were full within six minutes. Patrons leave rave reviews both during and after the class, touting Lidia’s kindness, encouragement, and creativity. They leave feeling pleased with their work and happy that they got to try something new, often asking when we’ll be having Lidia back for more. The positive energy and professionalism she brings to her classes is obvious from the start, and she is a pleasure to work with behind the scenes as well. She has been friendly and communicative from the very first session, making it easy to book her again and again. She provides all the materials that are needed for the class as well, so patrons can just come in, get right to work, and have a good time. I highly recommend Lidia’s Painting on Silk classes to any library that loves hosting art programs and wants to try something a little different.
Gena LaScala

(She/They)

Adult Services Librarian

Millbury Public Library