About
My students tell me I'm a natural teacher and my studio where I teach is well equipped and a very comfortable place to come and learn. They also tell me my teaching style is engaging and never intimidating. Without judgement, I always put constructive critcism first as a means of gaining a student's trust. I enjoy people and sharing my experience as an artist. Lastly, I do my very best to respond to a student's specific desires and needs to maximize their potential as they explore a variety of techniques.
The most rewarding part of my job as an art teacher is seeing the excitement on a student's face when they realize what they're able to do with the right tools and the right instructor.
I gain tremendous satisfaction knowing that my knowledge of the subject can be very impactful on a student's creative pursuits as they explore composition through a simple and sensible study of masterful paintings and online research.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first session is free to determine if the student and the teacher are compatible .
I spend a few hours first to teach some of the basics of volume, composition and value. Every good painting must be built on a foundation of drawing principles.
We focus on juxtaposition of color and composition and work from basics to the finer details as the student progresses.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Bachelor's degree in fine art from the University of Vermont. I spent two years at the National School of Decorative Art in Nice, France and have experience teaching young people as well as adults in a variety of styles and disciplines.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
30/hr. I recommend 1 hour sessions to leave time for discussion and clean up.
How did you get started teaching?
Teaching started for me as a college student in France teaching English and American History. It has evolved organically into a passion for sharing my love of art and all things aesthetically pleasing. I currently have seven students learning drawing, art restoration and basic painting and composition.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with young children, young adults as well as retired folks interested in expand their understanding of fine art.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I started showing my small works in a local gallery about nine years ago and began selling my art there fairly regularly. Just recently the gallery owner announced I had a collector/admirer who purchased a much larger piece than most of the others for a very respectable sum. We were both very pleased.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
My best advice to any aspiring artist is to start small. Identify subjects that engage your imagination and discover what it is about any image that inspires you. Images that are constructed a certain way through the use of composition, contrast, and color value naturally draw the viewer into the "story" of the image. Ask yourself what the elements of the image are that inspire you.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Is art something I am passionate about to the point that I must pick up a brush and express myself regularly or am I just curious about my ability to make an appealing image? Do I possess the patience to accept mistakes and learn from them or am I anxious and just want instant gratification?