Alex McKeithen Arts
About
Years of study, art and graphic design in France, Germany, The Netherlands and New York have exposed me to the work of great artists and designers. I studied painting at Frankfurt's renowned art institute – Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste and later earned my Masters from the Werkplaats Typografie in Arnhem, The NL. While the Masters was for graphic design and typography the work leaned heavily toward fine art. Experiences in New York were also stimulating and dynamic including Rolling Stone, The Source, Madison Square Garden, Terry Koppel Design and StudioWorks among others. I also taught art and graphic design to university as well as high school students at The State University of New York (FIT).
I began taking art lessons in the 3rd grade and it's been the only thing I've wanted to do since! I was the "go to" guy in school for all things art related and painting a huge poster for a dance got me out of classes for the whole day. To go along with all the banners and posters I also won a lot of awards which justified skipping all of those classes... I have always loved drawing and painting and the process of making art.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Painting and drawing are similar in terms of teaching a new student. In both cases I begin with quick ten second "gesture" drawings. After several of these the poses gradually become longer with the last couple around 5 to 10 minutes. In addition I have the student paint/draw without looking at the paper attempting to feel the texture (smooth, rough, sharp, prickly, etc.) of the subject. Finally the gesture combined with the feel helps the student paint or draw.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Fine Art was my major at Davidson College – both studio, art history and contemporary artists. I later gained admission to Frankfurt's renowned Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste where I painted on the graduate level. I received my Masters from the Werkplaats Typografie – a top graphic design/typography and, in my case, fine arts school in Arnhem, The Netherlands.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My pricing is on an hourly basis of $25 for individuals and group rates (3 or more) for $20/hr per person.
How did you get started teaching?
I substituted for someone and during lunch the teaching crew asked if I would like to continue. I jumped on the opportunity!
What types of students have you worked with?
I've taught high school and college students.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I had a great time working pro-bono for Habitat for Humanity. They needed some type of gift or plaque commemorating their 25 year working relationship with El Salvador. I found a stock picture of their national bird (the Torogoz) and combined it with an image of their national tree (the Maquilishuat). The two were fused together by having them painted on glass.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
One of the most important aspects to look for in a teacher is finding someone with much experience. It also helps if you like their work.