A warm, welcoming, friendly atmosphere greets customers who walk through the door at Studio Factor in Drayton.
Since 2009, Donna Hirtle has been establishing a creative niche in the community for artists and budding artists. Her branding, “a safe place for messy ideas” evolved from her desire to have an environment in the studio where students are not afraid to make a mess. Hirtle also relates this slogan to her personal walk as a Christian.
Hirtle graduated with a BA with honours in Fine Art from the University of Guelph and continued her education in advertising and graphic design at Humber College.
World Vision gave Hirtle the opportunity to grow along with the organization in developing a computer graphics program after graduation. Bank of Montreal (BMO), Wilfrid Laurier University, Copernicus Educational Products Inc., and Barefoot Creative have been outlets for her graphic designs.
With support from her husband Peter, Studio Factor has been an integral part of the changing landscape in downtown Drayton. From humble beginnings, Studio Factor has expanded to include a retail store. Products range from water colour paints, brushes and canvases, to crafts for all ages, quilling supplies and clay. The walls and shelves display various small pieces created by local artisans including handcrafted cards for special occasions. For the reader, a limited supply of Christian books and Bibles are available.
Hirtle welcomes inquiries on commissioned art in various mediums. Her professional graphic designs are for promotional and print material, including logo design.
“It is important to develop an image that embodies your business or enterprise into a concise, recognizable visual. This visual quite often only gets a two second glance by your intended market. Businesses leave branding/imaging to the last minute with no forethought or budget,” Hirtle said. One example is the Levi’s brand. The little red tag captured consumers’ interest and is one memorable icon. Effective brand identity is important in any business.
Classes taught by Hirtle run during the week. Currently offered are Watercolour Tuesdays, Acrylic Wednesdays and After School Art Thursdays. Home School art classes are on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
The recent addition of a pottery wheel and kiln allows Hirtle to teach classes in simple sculpture. Pinch, coil and slab construction methods are all part of Clay Classes. The pottery wheel is available for anyone looking to try something new or perfect their pottery skills. Clay Saturdays will be offered once a month on an experimental basis beginning on Nov. 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 am.
Hirtle will be teaching classes for The Seniors Centre for Excellence on the fourth Monday of each month at Studio Factor. The start date for classes is Nov. 24 from 2 to 4pm with a nativity clay object as the focus of the class. Everyone is welcome to join. At the Palmerston Library on the third Wednesday of the month from 2 to 4pm Hirtle teaches a variety of visual skills as part of the Seniors Centre for Excellence program.
Hirtle recently welcomed Jeff McCracken, pastor of Selah Fire, to his new office inside Studio Factor.
“The team here at Studio Factor includes Caroline Sealey, office manager of the Community News, McCracken and myself. There are great dynamics in the building,” Hirtle said.
For more information on happenings at Studio Factor contact Donna Hirtle at 519-638-0888 or email: studio.factor @bellnet.ca. Everyone is welcome to drop by the studio at 24 Wood Street in Drayton.
