Red Hook Visual Arts Lessons for Seniors

• Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal and oil to create artwork.
• Confer with clients and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
• Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques for clients of all ages.
• Collaborate, gather materials and design curriculum for art workshops in the community:
o Charcoal Over Watercolor Workshop
o Watercolor Workshop
o Acrylic Painting Workshop
o Self-Portraits in Charcoal Workshop
o Mixed Media Black Ink Over Gouache Workshop
o Oil Pastel Workshop “Beekle, The Imaginary Friend”

• Providing professional framing services for art workshop clientele
• Art brokering and marketing art material at various shows including:
o Art Show- Prairie Arts Festival, Schaumburg, 5-28-2017
• Sales, Murals Advertising and Promotional Artwork

I am a certified teacher with a master's degree in Radio, TV, Film and one in education as well. I was an adjunct professor of photography at Manhattan's New School for Social Research for 10 years and have spent another 10 years teaching other adults as well as adolescents photography. I have conducted private lessons as well as workshops in my own studio.
My teaching is unique because, unlike many photography clubs where members voice their various opinions on photographs, my technique involves an objective approach where lessons are given each time that can be analyzed to see if requirements of the assignment were met. This way, the student learns not just through critiques, but by comparing his or her results to successful examples. I also do quite a bit of field work and teaching by example. It's the most effective way to learn. I get students putting their digital cameras on "MANUAL" right away and they master the concepts of correct exposure right off the bat.

There are so many reasons to learn to draw. Perhaps you are applying for college and want to strengthen your portfolio? Maybe you changing careers and need to strengthen your visual thinking? Or you may just want to learn to draw for fun. Whatever your reason is, I can help. I have been teaching drawing for 20 years and I’ve worked with students of all ages, from young adults to retirees. There seems to be a notion out there that “one must have a talent for art before they can learn to draw. ” One thing I can say for sure is that this absolutely NOT true. With the right knowledge, a strong desire to learn, and a willingness to try, anyone can learn to draw.

I teach students how to draw from a classical studies background, but I believe in nurturing the uniqueness of each student and honoring their learning style. Unlike a classroom setting, a private lesson frees us up to build the lessons specifically around the student's goals and needs.

Students will identify a place that is special to them and represent the place and what makes it special through words and oil painting
“My students love this program! Truly, what an amazing gift this has been to our art community! Never have I felt so competent in incorporating art integration into my curriculum.”

I am a classically trained artist and I teach traditional methods of representational drawing. I’ve taught at several local ateliers as well as internationally through the State Department’s Art In The Embassies program. I can help you learn about perspective, line, volume, and composition in an a way that is easy to understand. My teaching style is rich with experience and information but also very low key and unintimidating. Also— I’m really fun! Come draw with me!