Shelley The Artist
About
I teach the student not the lesson. My Mantra is, 'it's not school'. Art is a process which encourages growth and a different way of seeing. I teach people to find their voice and through every medium we explore together. I don't want cookie cutter artists that all paint a sunflower, I want the quirky ones, the radical disrupters and the timid ones that amaze themselves. We go out into the world and Urban Sketch, we work from the studio and learn new mediums. We stand out together!
I have been fortunate to have made Art my career. I have been commissioned by LAX, Trader Joes, Sony Pics and many others. No matter how busy I get I always teach. It keeps me fresh and in service. Please see the link below to see my website. The teaching and Urban Sketching are also on the site.
https://www.shelleytheartist.com
I love watching people go from drawing a face as a circle with two dots for eyes, to drawing a stranger from life and telling me how proud they feel. https://www.shelleytheartist.com/teaching
When a mature student picks up a brush for the first time and a few months later they are in love with oil, I feel like I had a part in that process. I have students who are now at art school and we worked so hard for that achievement. All of those experiences are what makes my work my passion. I am an artist and the teaching is my way of giving service.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
All students are given a sheet of paper and five minutes to draw a face. It's how I can determine their skill level. Once that is determined we discuss what their priorities are and what they would most like to learn.
I always begin with drawing, as that is the foundation of everything. For the younger group, we go one fun class, one serious. I am a big proponent of live drawing so we do a lot of that too.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I studied illustration at UCLA. Later on I worked with Evans Webb, who was in charge of Scenic Art for Paramount for twenty years. That was an intensive course of twenty drawings and ten oils studies for a solid year. I have been a proffessional Painter for most of my life.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Two Hour classes - $200 per month.
(I sell all classes as a Montly package)
4 - 10 year olds - $100 per month
(1 hour classes for the smaller ones).
Privates - $ 75 per hour.
For the younger ones (4 - 10) I charge
$25 per hour.
How did you get started teaching?
I rented a studio in Valley Village to prepare for a solo show in London. This was in 2007. Because it was a public space, people started to drop in and saw me painting. They inquired about classes and it took off from there. It was an instant match for me.
What types of students have you worked with?
I always say I teach Humans from ages 3 -93.
I have worked with children on the spectrum and much older people - who have taught me so much. I have worked with the loud ones, the timid, the hugely talented, the ones that loved the process, the ones that struggled. I've had a lot of experience with teens, preparing college kids. Honestly I have taught so many different people, and later on the sisters and the brothers. I have taught large groups and privates. All have taught me something along the way.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I do a lot of Urban Sketching, which is live drawing of whatever is in front of you. Ideally, in an Urban setting. Recently I took a group over to the Farmers Market. A very diverse mix of people, who took the plunge and drew the scene around them. Finding their own narratives. It was fantastic and i felt thrilled to be able to facillitate that.