About
I believe creative expression is a birth right! I have been facilitating people of all ages and abilities in visual arts for 30+years both in the States and in Central Mexico where I founded a small Art Center in the 1990's. I offer workshops and classes designed to both teach skills and to support participants to access 'inner vision' that guides us in our creative explorations. My work over the years has included children ages 4-12, teens, adults and seniors. I have years of experience with special needs community members and seniors. Classes I teach include: Drawing, acrylics, watercolors, mixed-media, collage, print-making, mask making, Shadow Boxes, Visual Journaling, mosaics, off-loom weaving and more. I have a special love of cross-cultural arts & crafts!
I am literally thrilled every time a student has that 'ah, ha' moment when learning something new in the studio intersects with one's ideas and feelings. I think of my classes and workshops as a laboratory where exploration, learning skills and how to use tools becomes an 'alchemical process' that allows a person's heart's desires to be made visual to share with others. I live sharing the magic of visual arts with my students!
Highlights
Photos and videos
Reviews
Holly B.
Heather
Robin J.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I ask students to bring either samples of their own work from the past OR to bring images from artist's works that they enjoy. These can be postcards, images from magazines or books or from the internet. Sharing imagery helps me find an entry point in order to be able to best guide an adult student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I trained as a print maker in Central Mexico for several years before completing a BFA at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Later, I returned to school to complete a Master's degree in the field of Arts & Consciousness. This advanced degree work focused on the Visual Arts as a healing path as well as how creative process unfolds within us all.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I prefer to work with small to medium groups of adult learners for two reasons: First, the cost is lower per person and secondly, in my experience, adult students often learn so much from each other. My pricing varies on the size of the group. I am available for one-on-one private sessions as well.
How did you get started teaching?
My first teaching experiences were with under privileged children. I have been guiding visual arts experiences with people of ages 3- 91 for over 30 years.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with retirees, with elementary aged school children, with pre-school children , with adults, with developmentally disabled children and adults, with adolescents and with people in recovery.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Ask the prospective teacher to tell you how he or she sees their role. If a person tells you they will teach you how to paint as 'like they do', I would recommend you keep looking. A 'good quality' art instructor will share techniques that will facilitate you to paint your own, personal vision; not imitate his or her work
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
It is most effective to bring preferences to the classroom. If you know you like landscapes or say, portraits, an instructor can support your exploration best once he or she knows what interests you. Be sure to ask what medium the potential instructor prefer a to teach as well as what type ( or genre) they feel most comfortable guiding/instructing