NIAGARA LIVING: Anything is a canvas for tole painters

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DOUG BENZ/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
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April 27, 2007

Margaret Brant The Tonawanda News Fri Apr 27, 2007, 02:32 PM EDT

Margaret Brant is surrounded by birds, butterflies, flowers and angels. The Newfane tole painter has a shop full of colorful, whimsical tole painting that she and her students have created, and their work helps to make her shop the kind of place people come to for more than just lessons on how to paint.

“People come here for different reasons. They come for companionship, to talk with people or just to get a hug,” she said. “I can’t help but hug some people. Their lives are so hard.”

A few nights a week students gather around the tables in her shop on West Creek Road in Newfane. Her students welcome newcomers and help them feel comfortable with the classes, she said.

“I’ve heard the girls say, ‘You’ve come to the right place. She’ll teach you how to paint,’ ” Brant said.

Anybody can do tole painting, she added. “It’s about learning how to relax ... you just get a good brush, load the brush and the brush will work for you.”

While tole painting in earlier centuries was basically defined as enameled or lacquered metal trays or lampshades with gilt decorations, it has taken on a much wider context in recent years.

Brant’s students paint on all kinds of things, from suitcases to stools to garbage cans. Tole painting makes everything look colorful. “Everything is a surface to paint on,” Brant said. “There’s no limit to it.”

Those who are interested in learning to tole paint can stop in the shop at or visit the open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 2-3 at 2327 West Creek Road, Newfane.

Potential students are also encouraged to visit ongoing classes, including those on May 3 and May 15, when the classes will be painting stepping stones for the garden.

Contact Margaret Brant of Creekside Painters, Newfane, at 778-5755.

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