Kayleigh Illustrations
About
As a professional illustrator having worked in the field for 7 plus years, I have plenty of experience to share. I have graduated with a BFA with academic honors from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. I have taught for the past 5 years to a variety of students including various ages, cognitive, and physical abilities. Currently, I work as an Eco-Art teacher at New Branches Charter Academy in Grand Rapids Michigan where I work with Transitional Kindergarten students to 8th Grade students. I am also a professional illustrator focusing in Horror and Fantasy Realism.
I love being able to create something out of almost nothing and using that knowledge to share with others. To see a student "get it" means so much to me and makes me want to continue teaching. I enjoy the "challenge" of working with cognitively and physically disabled students to help them overcome any obstacle they may face. Everyone deserves a chance to create!
Photos and videos
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I typically like to start off with a baseline. I like to look at any work the student may have previously created and go from there. If the student does not have any previous work then I like to have a "mistakes" session. This is where the student can play with the medium to find its limits and to "get all their mistakes out" before we move on. This allows the student to get his/her fears out before we move on, increasing their confidence.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In 2017, I graduated with academic honors from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University with a BFA.
I have worked in senior living facilities for 6 years as an activity assistant teaching art and running events.
For two years I worked to develop an art program at the Grand Rapids Kroc Center, working with ages 4-84.
Currently, I teach Eco-Art to grades Kindergarten to 8th Grade.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge by the hour. Typically $35/hour.
This rate changes if I need to travel to you or you need me to provide supplies.
In these instances, the rate will go up accordingly. This will be discussed beforehand to make sure the client is aware of the up-charges.
How did you get started teaching?
I began to find my passion for teaching when working in a nursing home. Many of the residents were cognitively or physically disabled, this made me re-evaluate how I taught arts and crafts. I loved this challenge because I truely believe everyone has a right to create and any barrier can be thought through and overcome.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with a wide range of students. This includes:
Ages 3-98 years.
The cognitively or physically disabled.
Persons with mental illnesses.
Persons with varying forms of Dementia.
Individuals as well as groups up to 50 persons in total.
Hearing and visually impaired persons.
Grade school and middle school classrooms.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
As a K-8 Eco-Art teacher, the Covid-19 pandemic hit my career hard. I had to suddenly teach 375-plus students from home.
There was a student that had told me he did not like art while we were in school. After one week of virtual instruction, this student was emailing me back and forth about how the virtual art projects were going. He attended every single live drawing instruction I lead. This change in instruction gave him the confidence to let go and make mistakes. He finally got what I had been telling him all along, it is not about how your final project looks, it is about the fact that you are learning and enjoying the process to get to that end product.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure your teacher can adapt to your learning style. i.e. visual, kinesthetic, verbal, written, etc.
If your teacher can gear his/her lessons to your learning style, it is a sign of a good teacher.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
How much time are you willing to put into learning?
What is a measurable goal that you can measure your progress? i.e. "I will have one painting done in three months."
What will make me want to stop lessons?
Is this a skill you would like to learn as a hobby or just something fun to experiment with?
What does a good teacher look like to me?