About
Unlike other academies or art schools, which have a rigid and often expensive lesson plans, we try to make weekly art classes available to those who wish to learn a new skill in a stress free environment while still offering a variety of lessons from classical or fantasy sculpture as well as painting and drawing.
Our facility is currently part of a private residence and is quite spaceous, our aim is for the school to grow and improve along with our students.
Our philosophy is one focused on flow; we try to create an environment that allows people to relax into the present moment and simply work on something they enjoy while either conversing with fellow artists or while listening to music, all in an environment that is technique savy and ego free.
The best work is produced when we can clear our minds and dissapear into a task of creation, even if only for an hour or two, it helps us refresh our minds and it is also the best state for poeople to take on new information, learning to draw is stressful enough on its own.
We wish to create new healthy habits and to remind us of what we are capable of.
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Reviews
Richard S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Our approach is centered on each individual student's desires, that is to say, what do they want to learn? Absrtact sculpture? Academic drawing? oil painting? etc... from there, we work with them to develop a series of excercises and lesson plans that help them get there.
Students are also welcome to show anything they are currently working on or have worked on, we can aid in portfolio preparation for art school applications, to review where they are and where imrpovement is needed.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Currently, classes are taught by Fine Artist, Mr. Gabriel Castro, aka, Loneschach.
Loneschach has attended many academic schools as listed bellow and has been working as a professional gallery artist and commission artist for the past 4 years.
2017 Second year at Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy.
2016 B.F.A, Laguna College of Art +Design, Laguna Beach, CA.
2015 Study Abroad, Florence Academy of Art, Florence, Italy.
2012 Summer Intensive, Grand Central Academy, Manhattan, NY.
2010 Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Los Angeles, CA.
2009 The Design High School, Highland Park, CA.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$50 - OPEN STUDIO CLASSES- Saturdays from 10 am to 2pm.
all materials are provided but calling ahead or reserving a spot is still required. Email or message us with your desired date to come in and if you have any projects in mind.
PRIVATE
1-2 people = $25/hr for minimum of 2 hours for first lesson
3-10 people = $35-$60/hr
All classes are held at our location in North Hills, however, we accept requests for video lessons if needed.
How did you get started teaching?
Headmaster Loneschach:
"In school, I always liked being asked to give advice by the younger students or even to colleagues who were struggling with certain things, it was a great compliment as well as a good way to improve yourself, from there, at the Florence Academy we were always encouraged to go into the 1st year's studios and talk to them about their work, again, it helps you to improve, but also helps to pick out any potential teachers.
I then taught two drawing classes at the Dark Art Emporium Gallery in Long Beach before going on to work at the Teale Sculpture Studio with Cindy Feldman and Melanie Newcombe for about 2 years where I helped create Fantasy Sculpture classes and brough on a new age group of students which met semi-weekly to work on original artwork as well as pop-culture figures.
I quit teaching in 2019, after the Pandemic I itched to get back to hosting classes again. With the closing of the Hawthorne Arts Complex and Teale, I am starting again here in the Valley, hoping to once again bring people together to learn and talk about art.
What types of students have you worked with?
mostly adults.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
look for someone who won't talk to you about art like it's a set thing, art is always changing, alwasy evolving and anything and everything can be art.
Don't get stuck with someone who will endoctirnate you into their belief system unless that is xactly what you want.
a good art teacher is one who gives you the tools to achive what you want to express better, not one who tells you how to think or how you should or shouldn't express yourself
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Am I just doing this for fun? or am I serious about persuing art?
how many hours do I realistically have available on my schedule?
can I deal with having someon harshly judge my art? even when it's deeply personal? Can I be objective about my own work?