About
I offer personalized individual sessions and small group lessons tailored to the needs of the students. I teach adults, ages 18 and up, and my students range from college-level, working adults and retired individuals. Students embrace life-long learning and focus on the fundamentals of drawing and painting. The courses I offer range from beginning drawing, color theory, figure drawing, oil painting and watercolor. In addition, I offer students a punch card option, so if they purchase 4 classes, they get one free.
I have a Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) degree from the University of Chicago, and have been teaching art to adults for over 15 years. I exhibit my work internationally and it is part of many important private collections.
What I enjoy about teaching art is helping people to escape to another place, where they can think about space, color, and light. I find that making art is therapeutic, and it enables myself to find a safe place to experiment and to take risks. The repetition and practice of art making often helps people to solve problems and to figure out which direction to travel in life. My role is to inspire, but students get to find their own voice.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I have an initial consultation with new students to assess their needs. We discuss the student’s former experiences with art to understand the goals each person wants to meet. Some students have very specific ideas of what they want to accomplish. For example, someone might want to learn about the anatomy of the torso. Others need some guidance so I may suggest that they begin with some basic drawing and shading techniques. What I like about teaching adults is that they can be quite specific about their needs and goals.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an MFA from the University of Chicago (2003). I have also taught various college-level classes:
-Fundamentals of Design
-Life Drawing
-Figure Drawing
-Anatomy
-Art History
In addition, I speak Spanish.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My pricing system:
I charge 25 dollars an hour for private lessons.
I teach group drawing and painting classes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons which are 35 dollars for three hours (1 to 4 PM).
On Saturday afternoons, I offer drop in figure drawing sessions for 20 dollars. They are also 3 hours long (1 to 4 PM). A model is present, but there is no formal instruction.
I offer a punch-card option: if students buy 4 classes or sessions, they get one free. The cards do not expire.
Students only pay for classes they attend, so if they miss a class, they aren’t charged for it.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching when I was a teenager. I grew up in the Cincinnati area where was a camp counselor and began by teaching kids how to swim and ride horses. I had always loved art and also taught kids how to paint. I studied art in college, but also taught ESL (English as a Second Language) on the side to fund my education. Once I got my MFA, I found work teaching art to college-level students in Chicagoland. Now I also teaching continuing education classes, and enjoy the freedom from having to give students grades. They are internally motivated!
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with a diverse body of students, whose ages range from 16 to 85. As a community college instructor, I teach people of all ethnic backgrounds. Living in Chicago has given me the opportunity to teach people from all walks of life. In addition, I have taught special needs students.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look at your potential teacher's artwork. Ask about their influences and teaching philosophy. We will teach you what we do and know. Art is subjective, and there are many different schools of thought about the subject. Make sure your beliefs and ideals align with your instructor. If you don't have any, then have an open mind and begin to appreciate all different kinds of art. Don't dismiss something until you try to understand the artist's perspective and what they are trying to say in their work.