About
Hello! My services cover lots of different visual mediums such as oil painting, watercolor, drawing, photography, and digital art. Whether you're a novice that likes to take things slowly, or sharpen up your skills I have an array of tips, tricks, and hacks to help get you comfortable with your creative side. I try to always use different resources to facilitate the direction you want to go in. I'm easy to talk to and will always help you find your artistic voice!
Art has been a big part of my life since I was 5 years old. I had several amazing art teachers/mentors that opened my mind to what I was capable of early on. Being able to pass on my knowlege to others has always been a great source of satisfaction for me. Art can heal pain. Art can give you an identity. Art can help you connect to yourself and others. When we look at cultures that are long gone, art is what we study to connect with them on a personal level.
I enjoy the challenge of finding the spark of an idea in someone else and helping them grow that into reality. Nothing beats he sense of accomplishment you get when you create art that you love. I'm here to help you!
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Ernest V.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First lesson will be all about finding out where you are creatively and technically. We will need to gauge what may be a challenge and what comes naturally. From there you can discuss your plans
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My bachelor's degree is in architectural design with a minor in art. I have been formally trained as an oil portrait painter by the late Cynthia Day Neely (former painter for US Presidents and politicians). I have been doing fine art commissions for over 10 years. I have more than 15 years using Photoshop and Illustrator.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
First lesson is to establish a baseline for what both our expectations for the lessons would be-- for example, if you are a complete novice and dont know where to begin, I will asign you homework+exercises that will get you having fun and comfortable with your medium. The lessons with me will then be us talking about the creative decisions you made, why you did them, and how to improve (critique). First lesson will be a flat rate of $25/hour
How did you get started teaching?
Covid-19 has changed everyone's situations so that now we must go to virtual classes to continue feeling "normal" again.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have taught architects photoshop/3D modeling/rendering, worked with other artists to improve their skills, and even children on how to get creative and comfortable with painting.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Creating a music video for singer/songwriter client. We had a great time (right before the quaratine) filming at Fort Lauderdale beach. Costume changes, roller blading, boats, and tons of fun were had on the Intracoastal Waterway.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be open, don't expect instant results. Look for someone who is flexible in their approach, can cover fundamentals/theories rather than just "how-to's". Anyone can learn from Youtube how to make crafts, but being an artist is about having a way to express who you are by the tools you gain with great mentors.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What are your dreams? What other artists do you love/connect with? What kind of mediums interest you? What is your art supply budget? Who's your favorite musician? If you thought of yourself as a "great artist" where would you want to take that?