BRENTWOOD — Since childhood, Allison Millar dreamed of teaching in a mobile art studio and sharing her love of art with budding artists. After becoming a mother and earning an English teaching credential, Millar has come full circle and brought her vision of an art bus to life.
Allison’s Art Bus opened for business last spring when Millar and her husband, Lance Millar, acquired an operational school bus in Pismo Beach and transformed it into an art space with built-in seating, easels and lighting and hand-painted it inside and out. They park outside of East County businesses and in front of local homes for private parties, Teens and Tweens Art Night, Sip & Paints, after-school programs and special events.
Millar was always passionate about art and took a lot of art classes but was deterred from majoring in art because it wasn’t a solid career. Later, she rediscovered her ultimate dream while trying to find a job that was centered around being a mom. She has five children ranging in age from 9 to 14.
“I have tried to stay at home with my kids as much as possible. Now, I love seeing them learn how to start a business and work hard,” Millar said.
As an art teacher, Millar likes to break down the paintings step by step for novice painters. Unlike the popular Paint Nite events, Millar often uses her original designs or canvases painted from images on photographs.
With a motto of “We Bring the Arts to You,” painters in various private classes or parties can choose from various designs like a canvas owl painting, painted T-shirts, painted bird houses, customized name plates, mosaics or one of many of Millar’s paintings with titles like Ladies Night Out, Pink Heels and Wine Glasses.
“Her and her husband are such a dynamic duo,” said Mountain House resident Yessy Maldonado, who enjoys the ambiance and fun of the art bus. “He is super attentive to the guests and she is an amazing teacher.”
Lance Millar said that once people get on the bus, they are drawn in and want to start painting and creating. They host regular events at Mountain Mikes Pizza on Balfour Road or at Crown and Crow in downtown Brentwood.
“This is where I want to be,” said Allison Millar from the art bus recently.
For more information on Allison’s Art Bus, call 925-597-0378 or check out www.allisonsartbus.com or https://www.facebook.com/allisonsartbus/.
