About
Golden Key Art is a private art school that offers professional art training for all ages. We emphasize an individual approach based on student's personality and areas of interest. While we focus on creativity, imagination and self-expression, we also provide students with solid academic art training.
HOW WE TEACH
At Golden Key Art we encourage students to try the variety of art technics and styles that will help them to discover themselves and build their own identity (unique style, vision). We gradually build student's academic art skills while they explore different mediums and creative ideas. Golden Key Art academic art training is based on the best traditions of Russian academic school. We believe that creativity and skills accompany each other, and our art program is designed to develop them equally.
I love helping people to realize themselves, and to bring creative spark into their lives.
Specialties
Experience level
Painting type
Painting medium
Number of students
Student age(s)
Photos and videos
Reviews
Carol N.
Dave M.
Michele M.
Michele M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first thing I do, before starting any kind of instruction, is identify what the particular strengths and weaknesses of my students are. It doesn't matter what experience level they are, everyone has things they are more or less adept at. I then learn what my student's goals are, and together we set out to achieve them.
Once we begin working towards these goals, I work on building the skills and confidence of my students, especially those that are new to art.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I've done art at a professional level for almost 50 years, having graduated with a degree in Painting and Teaching from the Grekov Odessa Art University, and then a Masters in Book Design and Book Illustration from the Ukrainian Academy of Printing.
From the 1980s to the 1990s my art has been displayed across Europe and Canada at locations such as the Warsaw in ex-Libris competition, the Ukrainain Artists exhibition in Saskatoon, Canada, and the Art Gallery of the Kiev-Mohilan Academy.
More recently, my work was displa yed at art shows and exhibits such as the LA New Renaissance Art Show, the Arte Natura at the Limner Gallery in New York, and published in the Contemporary World Exlibris catalog. It has also been published and displayed in countries including Belgium, Canada, Portugal, and Finland, among others.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Small group adult art classes: $20/h
Private adult art classes: $50/h
Group kids art classes: $20/h
Private kids art classes: $50/h
Private art class for Two: $80/h
How did you get started teaching?
I always felt a calling to teaching art, and began by teaching my friends and family when they asked me for help in drawing. This was when I was at the knowledgable age of 16.
When I went to school I focused on not only art, but also education in art. Since graduating in 1977, I've been teaching art and loving ever second of it!
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students as young as 3 years old, to seniors in their 70s and 80s. I've taught students of every proficiency level, of different cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrouds.
Across the decades of teaching, I've worked with students of all kinds, and found that no matter who they are or where they are from, everyone can learn the common language of art.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Recently I was privileged to participate alongside my students in the art exhibit put on by the office of LA Councilmember Bob Blumenfield. The exhibit opened this December to commemorate the winter holidays, and features the work of 27 of my students.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find a teacher who understands what you want, rather than a teacher who solely tries to teach what they know. A teacher needs to understand the needs of their students, because that's what teaching is all about: helping your students reach their potential.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
A student should think about what they want to learn, at least at the general level. Once they have this general direction, they should become accustomed to asking questions without worrying about how they come across.