No straight lines
LGBTQ+, inclusive, supportive, creative art classes and workshops bringing queer people and their allies together socially, creatively and productively.
Small-group, in-person, workshops tailored to a range of interests and abilities at our wonderful host venue in East London: Queer Edge at Two More Years (Hackney Wick).
Currently Offering 2 different classes most weeks. More soon. See schedule for details:
Saturday = QDS!: Queer Drawing Social
Sunday Afternoon=Easy Pet!: Guided Pet Portraits
Meet People, Draw People!
QDS!
Queer Drawing Social:
Fed up working by yourself in your bedroom? Intimidated showing up at a bar alone with nothing to do but drink nervously? QDS! is for you!
Expect a friendly, attitude free social group with the focus on drawing each other (and occasional volunteer models) just for fun.
No experience necessary. Materials provided. Come as you are. Friendly humans of all kinds welcome. Make use of the inclusive atmosphere, open bar or food offer downstairs before, during or after class.
Perfect date night, perfect singles night.
Warning: the venue is very busy on Saturday nights. People who find noisy environments challenging should ask for ear plugs at the bar downstairs or bring their own.
Sit! Paint!
Easy, Pet!
Guided Pet portraits:
This class is all about getting the result you want without worrying too much. You provide a photo of your pet in advance and we will prepare a canvas for you with simplified colour blocks ready for you to complete in class.
All materials are provided and most people complete a small canvass to a good standard in two-three sessions (minimum required due to blending/drying/layering of paint). Feeling more ambitious? You can choose to work on a second small canvas or select a larger size from the beginning, with a view to completing in 5 sessions (block discount available).
You will learn about oil painting materials and techniques as part of the process.
The oil on canvas portrait is your work and yours to keep and display once completed. Dog treats available. BYOB / Deliveroo/Get what you need downstairs from the bar if your afternoon requires more. Well mannered dogs welcome to join with their humans. Be aware that the stairs are steep and you may have to carry your dog if they are not good at arranging all four paws in the necessary sequence. My greyhound can’t do it…
Committed to art & its makers.
All persuasions.
I’m Simeon, founder and teacher at
No Straight Lines.
A little about me. I have:
a PhD in contemporary art & theory (Courtauld Institute of Art, London)
taught visual culture at Goldsmiths, London
run Art & Design departments at Loyola University New Orleans (Louisiana, USA) and Liverpool Hope University (Merseyside)
a graphic design business (hint) specialising in exhibition catalogues and artist websites.
qualified as a secondary school teacher (QTS, PGCE & ECT) and have taught art and photography at GCSE and A-Level at secondary schools in South and East London.
I hold an extended DBS certificate and £2 million in public liability insurance. Your ticket price includes VAT. In case you wanted to know that everything is above board!
Kind Words
“Thank you for teaching us many art skills and having patience with us. You are very kind and nice”.
—(name & image withheld as still a minor)
year 8 pupil at a school in Southwark, July 2024.
No straight lines
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