About
I am passionate about creativity and I believe that we are all born creators. All children are creative, imaginative and curious but our education system, believing them to be unimportant, fails to encourage these attributes. Designed to stifle individual creativity in order to mass produce people who resemble worker bees, it fails to provide the tools, guidence, and opportunities for creativity to grow. By the time most children are teenagers they have little imagination and have forgotten that they are born creators. That's why I teach. I can't tell you how many people have told me that they don't have a creative bone in there body, they could never do what I do. There is nothing I like more than proving them wrong by helping them find their creative self. Seeing the surprised delight in their eyes when they create something beautiful that they didn't believe they could is intoxicating. It's difficult to explain the level of satisfaction, pride and joy I experience knowing I made that possible for them because at the same time I feel a deep sense of gratitude and humility knowing that God alone makes it possible for me to do so.
What's the big deal about art you might ask?
Art and creativity is important to our species and necessary for our proper development, individually and communally. It has the power to evoke every known human emotion. It can build, it can destroy. It speaks TO us and FOR us. It tells us stories about who we are and reminds us of truths common to all, so they are not forgotten. That's what art means to me. And that's what I want to share with my students. Oh, and one more thing, MAKING ART IS FUN!
Experience and qualifications
Greatly encouraged by parents and grandparents, I knew I was an artist by the age of seven. I studied and learned most of what I know about drawing and painting from art instruction books and videos and have an extensive library. I attended Clark College and the Art Institute of Portland where I studied art history, design fundementals, Interior Design, and Construction Technology, among other things. I graduated from the Art Institute of Portland with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Interior Design degree.
My artistic style is predominantly realism, however, I have experimented with abstract painting as well. I've worked with digital applications such as AutoCad, Revit, Photoshop, and Illustrator and used a variety of mediums and methods of art production including:
Drawing-(graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, conte and pastel crayon, ink and markers.
Painting-brush and airbrush (oils, watercolor, acrylic, ink, gouache)
Woodcarving and Interior Design
Drawing with graphite and painting with oils are the two mediums I've used most often and what I am most proficient with but I've tried my hand at just about everything,
I've created art pieces depicting a wide varietuy of subject matter, (landscapes, portraits, animals. and buildings, too name a few}. I've drawn portraits and painted murals on commission, partnered with a gallery and participated in the West Coast Art and Antique Show circiut. Currently I'm taking advantage of the internet where my work can be seen and purchased through my website, kelliekuter.com.
Highlights
Photos and videos
Reviews
Melissa J.
Bob B.
Bob B.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First lesson is mostly getting to know one another, finding out what they are hoping to accomplish and assessing their skill level. Since there is less teaching, I offer students a 30% discount from my usual rate for this initial session.
Based on their current knowledge and skill level I will design a lesson plan specifically for the student that I believe will allow us to achieve their goals and we will go over it together making adjustments if necessary. Along with the syllibus is a contract between us outlining our responsibilities and commitment to the lesson plan and each other. We agree on a schedule. I teach and they learn. I am always available by phone or text to support them with homework assignments or personal art projects while they are enrolled in my class.
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What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Bachelor of Fine Art in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Portland. I have taught children and adults in a variety of painting and drawing medioms.. I have been an artist my entire life and have many, many years of experience and knowledge about art and art history. I am a good teacher because I love art and I love sharing my passion for it with others. I want to help them experience the power of artistic expression and understand how creativity can make them grow as an individual. I also raised three children and mother's are always teachers.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My typical hourly rate is between $18 and $20 depending on a variety of factors such as: location of lessons, subject being taught or age and skill level of the student.
How did you get started teaching?
Like I said, I'm a mom. I decided I wanted to teach art while attending Community College but life had other things in mind. I realized I enjoyed teaching and that I was good at it while working as a Quality Assurance Technician at Leathernan Tool Group where I was responsible for training personnel on the use of complex inspection techniques and methodologies related to manufacturing processes.
I have taught art for many years. One of my students painted a beautiful oil painting for her parents as a Christmas present. She was only ten years old at the time.
What types of students have you worked with?
Children, adults, male and female beginners to intermediate skill levels.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I've been invited to participoate in three juried art shows this summer. The Fern Prairie art Festival, the Washougal Rt Festival (a vurtual show going now through the end of august on Washougal Arts Council website and Facebook page), and Southwest Washington Watercolor Society Fall Show and Sale.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
practice drawing or painting something every day for fifteen minutes. That's lesson number one. Try everything that draws your interest and stretch your creativity.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should write out a punch list of their goals and expectations to be shared with the instructor. Since this is not a classroom setting but individual lessons they will be much more satisfied if they are clear about their goals and what they hope to accomplish, as well as some thoughts about why they want to learn the particular skill and how they think learning it will enhance their life. Improving their chances of having a positive and successful learning experience.