A Starry Start: Our First Family Story and Art Session at Rainbow Jane

A Starry Start: Our First Family Story and Art Session at Rainbow Jane.

Yesterday, Sunday 18th January, Rainbow Jane was filled with stories, colour, creativity — as I hosted our first Family Story and Art session.

We started the session by reading Camille and the Sunflowers, the first story in the beautiful book Small Stories of Great Artists by Laurence Anholt.

After the story, we headed out to Rainbow Jane’s art shed, ready to create. Everyone had the freedom to start however they wished: choose a completely blank piece of paper, or use a Van Gogh–inspired napkin to transfer an image onto the page, ready to extend and reimagine in their own way. Acrylic paints — both opaque and metallic — shimmered alongside watercolours, pencils and glitter paint. The shed quickly became a joyful swirl of colour and imagination.

One of the loveliest parts of the session was seeing adults and children working side by side. There was gentle encouragement, shared ideas, and the occasional adult brushstroke sneaking onto a child’s painting (always with permission!). When I asked if the children would like some music, they chose classical music, which played softly in the background and added to the calm, creative atmosphere.

Of course, no Rainbow Jane session would be complete without refreshments. Tea flowed for the adults — including a special herbal blend called Starry Night to keep our Van Gogh theme alive — while squash and biscuits kept our young artists fuelled and focused.

I was honestly blown away by the paintings created. Each one was unique, expressive and full of personality — a true celebration of creativity without rules or expectations.

Thank you so much to the families who joined us and helped make this first Family Story and Art session so special. I can’t wait to share our next story — Frida Kahlo — and see what wonderful art we create together next.

 Book now for the next Family Story and Art session on February 8th — I’d love to see you there.