Christina Looney started painting watercolors in 2020. “This was my COVID hobby and it turned into a lot more,” she says.
The Arlington and Lakewood/Smokey Point libraries have played a significant role in Christina’s creative journey. As a self-taught artist, she borrowed books like Kolbie Blume’s watercolor painting series to sharpen her skills. Christina has also become a regular at online Craft & Chat events.
“I usually just bring my sketchbook, but other people brought their knitting projects and cross stitch and scrapbooking stuff,” she says.
Craft & Chat creates a space for makers to share knowledge and build community. “I've learned from folks in the Craft & Chats about markets that I could do and art shows,” Christina says. “It’s fun to just chat with people while they do their different crafts.”
When she’s not painting, Christina uses the library as a place to unwind. “I love that…you're able to actually hang out somewhere and not have to pay for your coffee or your meal or whatever,” she says. “You just can come here and spend time and find a good book.”
Christina especially loves browsing the DVD section for movie nights—and cutting back on paid streaming services. “My husband's mind was blown when he found out you could just [borrow] movies. He was like, ‘Wait, like Blockbuster? But we don't have to pay?’”
When asked what she hopes the library will be for the next generation, Christina shared she hopes it continues to be “a free resource for everyone.”
“I think there's so much good that you can find and do at the library, even if it's just that your internet is out and you need a place for internet,” she says. “It's welcoming and somewhere you can actually go for free, which is different in these times.”
Do you have a library story you'd like to share? Send us a message at Marketing@sno-isle.org.