About
I have been teaching art to children and adults over a period of several decades. I began during childhood assisting my mother with her children's art groups, which lasted 18 years, and continued on with my own art career and teaching. I hope to pass on my enthusiasm and skills to students, while encouraging them to develop their own styles.
I have won awards with my own artworks, exhibited numerous places and times, and had many sales and commissions. I have attended diverse art schools and workshops, eventually achieving a B.A (hons. History) in recent years, majoring in English Literature and Modern History (including Art History).
My main interests and media comprise florals, landscapes and portraits in oil, watercolours, pastels and mixed media. While learning traditional techniques, I have also developed ways of applying them to my own style. To view images of my works, please see my website and facebook pages at http://fionacraig.com/index.html and https://www.facebook.com/fionacraigartist/
As an Australian now residing in Chicago, I feel that I am seeing a different part of the world with 'fresh eyes'. This greatly inspires me to paint and draw my new surroundings. I hope that this brings something unique to the (cultural) table.
I enjoy the art making process, a kind of alchemy in which colours mixed and applied to a surface gradually turn into an image that makes sense.
I enjoy finding new people and things to inspire me to paint.
I enjoy facilitating my students to draw and paint, to explore their own art 'stories' and styles, and to see the happy results it brings them.
Photos and videos
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
My process with a new student is to introduce the medium with demostrations and explanations of how it works (how to apply it to a ground, whether to use dark or light pigments first, how to mix colours and discern values). I choose a simple subject, such as a pear or leaf, and work along with the student step-by-step. I spend plenty of time with each student, as I don't take large groups. I encourage the student to enjoy the process of art-making and be patient with their progress.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I began during childhood with assisiting and later teaching at my mother's private art groups (18 years). I attended various workshops in arts and crafts, as well as music and dance. I attended art schools for academic training. In recent years, I attained a B.A. (Class 1 honours in History), which included majors and electives in Art History, Education, Children's Book Literature and Illustration, and English Literature.