Art & Design Studio Of Janna Geary

Students do not need any experience necessary for my fine art training. Students work on a project of their choice and are guided throughout the entire process until completion.  I begin with a complex project becuase this brings together 10 fundamental concepts.  Rather than teaching individual skills such as mixing color, or values; I bring all of it together but in stages so it is easily digested.

This approach allows the student to understand how to break down a complicated project into workable steps.  They must focus, persevere, and work at it - but their result is astonishing and they realize what they are able to do when they build up their work ethic.

I am also available to every one of my students to mentor them as they navigate their creative life.  When a student expresses interest in learning something outside of our current project, I introduce them to those techniques and have them work during their own time. This allows us ample space to build concrete skills and helps them fine tune their independent work.

I attended Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, MI with a full scholarship.  I have been a working artist in many disciplines since I was 16.  A custom piece of fine art, a mural, designing an interior, illustrating a book or creating graphic art - I am happiest when I am getting my hands into something new.

I also teach and mentor young artists in the area of entrepreneurship.  It is important to understand the value of their work, and learn how to create opportunities to monetize creative work to get an early start. 

$175/4 sessions

Sessions are 2 hours long and meet once a week

I was asked by two friends to teach their kids art.  I had never thought of teaching before. It has been so rewarding to share my enthusiasm for the business of art and design and to see a community of young artists enjoy our creative culture in class.

Along the way, I have worked with students from age 5 through 98! My focus is on ages 5-20 and they are usually students who enjoy drawing on their own time, but remain in their comfort zone so they don't "mess anything up." My students also tend to have exhausted the typical art class format where they work on quick projects; and they are ready to invest a little more time and effort to create a high-quality piece...something few of them think they can pull off (but they always do!).  :-)

I love showing students how to work through the challenges and make something from a "mistake." 

I enjoy taking my kids to field trips into Los Angeles to the Brewery Artwalk. Here they are able to walk through hundreds of artist's live/work studios, ask questions and see many different kinds of work and personalities in the art world.

I also take my students to art museums and always stop for dinner on the way back home.  We love our outings and spending time as a little "art family".

My best advice is to look for someone who is willing to be vested in building a working relationship with the student.  Creatives often need to know they are respected, cared for, and heard amongst their peers and teachers.  I do not believe art instruction is a place for a teacher speaking down to a student. Students need to feel safe to experiment, try, fail, and try again; and they need an instructor who can minimize the impact of a negative feeling or situation and redirect to a great solution or new idea!  

I feel students should feel 100% comfortable to come as they are to their art instructor.  In my opinion, they shouldn't have any reservations in coming to me for help, a question, or to flush out an idea.  Sometimes we need to process things verbally or entertain a new perspective.  

Creating art is about more than technical skill or ideas.  It is also a reflection of our feelings, dreams and challenges.