We offer collaborative paintings done with your kids and Art Start. These custom pieces are a wonderful addition to any home or office. They make the perfect gift for family or friends.

The process consists of two separate appointments each lasting 15-45 minutes depending on the size of canvas. The first appointment always includes either hand or foot prints or both. For the second appointment the child paints with a paintbrush.

We use our own color palette but welcome any suggestions, likes or dislikes as far as color or imagery. We also can work to incorporate photos into the paintings.

Once the process is finished and the painting is approved by the family, we will glaze and frame the painting. You leave with a truly unique, sometimes abstract, modern piece of art.

A little Art Start customer
in the process of creating
a colaborative painting

Decorating his canvas with footprints

Susie Ames is the owner of Art Start and a mom of three. She received her Bachelors of Fine Art degree from Art Center College of Design and has been working as a graphic designer, game designer and fine artist for the last 15 years.

She has always loved painting with her kids and started doing collaborative paintings for families and various Mill Valley schools in 2003.

After opening Art Start in Mill Valley, Susie decided that collaborative paintings would be a wonderful addition to her studio.