From Colours to Cookbooks

From colours to cookbooks: How a watercolour class is building confidence and community at NSCC

What began as a simple act of sharing sweet treats while they painted, has become one of the class’s most-loved traditions, inspiring a public cookbook.

“We love the cakes!”

For Toni and Judy, the weekly treats are one of the pleasures that makes their Tuesday watercolour class at North Sydney Community Centre (NSCC) so special.

“Every week, one student from the class will bring a treat to share. People volunteer to do it,” Toni says.

It is a small tradition that has grown into a community cookbook. Each recipe and painting reflects the joy and camaraderie that defines their time together and invites others to join.

For its watercolour students, the book reflects that NSCC is more than just a place to learn a new skill, but instead a place to belong.

Finding confidence through creativity

For Toni, that sense of connection has been at the heart of her relationship with the NSCC since she first joined in 2014.

Not long after her husband passed away, she looked to connect with the creative side of her family.

Toni had always considered herself more of an admirer than an artist.

“My husband was an artist and he always told me to go and join a class. I’ve been coming ever since,” Toni says.

Her husband John had been an art lecturer at the UNSW art school.

“I was just the only one that didn’t do it,” she says with a smile.

Her connection to NSCC extends well beyond watercolour. A resident of the community for 63 years, she remembers the Centre’s early days, having taken her children to the after-school care.

For Toni, the people she has met in the class has become one of the most important parts of her experience.

“I love the silence of people working away and making art,” she says. “It’s a lovely sense of camaraderie.”

When she first started watercolour, however, Toni wasn't sure she had what it took.

“I thought my stuff was awful compared to everyone,” she says.

Over time, encouragement from the group and the classes supportive environment helped change that.

“You weren’t made to feel incompetent. I feel supported by my teacher. She’s laid back, but she gives you a lot of direction. You feel relaxed and not under pressure.”

That confidence has followed Toni beyond the classroom. She now creates her own Christmas cards, continuing a tradition that she once shared with her husband.

Reconnecting with old passions

Judy joined NSCC in 2018 after trying watercolour classes elsewhere.

“I went to some other classes and it was like being back in school. They were hovering over everything you did and I thought no, I don’t like this.”

Having not painted since completing her High School Certificate, she was unsure whether she could return to it.

Her teacher, Lyndall, encouraged her to give it a go.

“Everyone is so encouraging,” she says. “You feel inspired by it. We all look around and admire each other’s paintings.”

For Judy, the friendships have become just as important as the painting.

“You come here and meet people and it’s always a good time. Nothing interferes with it. We always make sure you come to watercolour classes, no matter what.”

Recipes

For Toni and Judy, the value of the class extends well beyond watercolour. It is about having a place where they feel comfortable showing up, learning without judgement and being part of something bigger than themselves.

Now, through their cookbook, students can share a little of that experience with others.

For anyone who might be nervous about joining a class or trying something unfamiliar, Judy has a simple message.

“Give it a go. If you think you can, do it.”