Round Rock, Texas - Hidden talents - everyone has them, but unfortunately many never find out what they are or where inside they lie.

A good teacher, however, can bring those talents out of even the most unsure, skeptical student, no matter what the age.

Stacy Fabing of KidzArt is one such teacher. Fabing recently taught a class at the Round Rock Senior Activities Center for seniors wanting to learn to draw or to brush up on their skills, students that for one reason or another never got around to, or those who never had the confidence to really try to draw.

"I'm a doodler; I draw houses and circles and trees - I've always been interested in drawing, but not for real. This is really fun," said Peg Halloway, who attended Fabing's senior class.

Fabing has been teaching KidzArt - a mobile art class program - since June 2003. She attended the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio and has taught preschool art for the past 10 years. However, Fabing teaches kids of all ages not only the finer points of drawing but the confidence it takes to go out on a limb artistically.

With classical music playing softly in the background, Fabing started the morning lesson by asking the students to draw a dragonfly. As the lesson progressed and the students became more engrossed in their drawings, it was evident they were not only enjoying themselves but feeling more confident as time went by.

Senior Helen Parada said she had always felt it was impossible to draw anything, but was curious to see what would develop if she came to the class, and Ganola Bond, another attendee, said she hadn't tried to draw anything since her school days.

According to Fabing, anyone can learn to draw. And one of the main difference between teaching kids and adults is that adults are much more critical of their abilities.

"You don't give a child a book and just expect them to read. In art, people think they can either do it or not. We (at KidzArt) break it into simple steps and try to demystify it. It's a proven formula, and it works," Fabing said.

"We try to break it down step by step, but the first rule of thumb is to keep it fun. It doesn't have to be perfect, mistakes are OK," Fabing said.

This philosophy was evident as the class progressed and by the end of the class, although each dragonfly was somewhat different, Fabing seemed pleased with the results of the class.

Fabing takes her KidzArt class on the road and teaches preschoolers to seniors almost anywhere. For more information on the program, contact Stacy Fabing at Kidzartnwaustin@hotmail.com or call 423-0179.

Article by Lisa Taylor-Braden/Leader Staff