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Drawing with Michael L.

OverviewAboutExperienceEducationGallery
Teaches online
Teaches Beginner, Intermediate
Age: 12+
Teaching since 1991
Certificate, Business Development

    About Michael L.

    I have been an artist ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil, and started teaching cartooning to children at a day camp in upstate New York in 1991. Since then I have taught drawing at art centers, crafts schools and through private lessons in New York, Vermont, and currently Florida. I draw constantly, and have used my drawing skills to get through difficult times (such as long, dull corporate meetings, before I left that world forever). I did a lot of training and teaching of new employees, until I made the leap from corporate life to art instructor and have not looked back. I'm a little bit goofy, a quality that my students respond to and puts them at ease as I help them develop the self-confidence to try new techniques and develop a healthy connection with their creative spirit. Besides art centers, I have provided art therapy to incarcerated at-risk teens, and women and children fleeing domestic violence at the area's largest shelter, The Spring. It is truly a privilege to be able to do this. I am also a longtime member of a Star Wars costuming organization called The 501st Legion, whose members have movie-accurate Star Wars costumes and raise millions of dollars for charity worldwide, participate in parades and other goodwill events. I have organized numerous "invasions" of All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg to bring cheer to kids struggling with illnesses, as well as other high profile events, some of which have included live television appearances. I have movie-accurate Imperial Stormtrooper armor and an Imperial Officer uniform. I am engaged to a wonderful woman and currently live in Clearwater, and teach at the Morean Art Center in St. Petersburg as well as online through home-school co-ops and private lessons. My first graphic novel, Dark Office, has been published online on Amazon, with another graphic Novel in the works. To supplement my income I am a crossing guard with the Pinellas County Sheriffs Department.

    Instructor details

    Location:
    Teaches Online
    Teaches Online

    Teaching Hours

    Monday
    7:30 AM-11 AM
    3 PM-4 PM
    Tuesday
    7:30 AM-11 AM
    3 PM-4 PM
    Wednesday
    7:30 AM-11 AM
    3 PM-4 PM
    Thursday
    7:30 AM-11 AM
    3 PM-4 PM
    Friday
    7:30 AM-11 AM
    3 PM-4 PM
    Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
    Pricing
    30 minutes
    $15
    45 minutes
    $20
    60 minutes
    $25
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    Experience

    Art Instructor

    Apr, 2017 - Present

    Arts4All (Formerly Very Special Arts)

    Art instructor conducting art therapy residencies to adolescents incarcerated at area juvenile detention facilities, assisting with job search and life counseling

    Art Instructor

    Oct, 2014 - Jun, 2016

    The Spring Domestic Violence Shelter

    Art instructor providing free drawing lessons to women and children at secure safe house for women escaping domestic violence

    Event Planner

    Oct, 2008 - Present

    501st Legion (volunteer costiming organization)

    Plans and organizes Star Wars-themed events for a variety of causes to raise money for charity and benefit the community, including: • "Invasions"of All Childrens Hospital, St. Petersburg, bringing Star Wars characters to children struggling with injuries and illnesses • "Trooping For the Troops", an annual series of visits to VA hospitals to thank veterans for their service • "Star Wars Day" at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, an annual, high-profile promotional event that includes appearances on live television • "Dark Sky Festival", an annual event for the town of Harmony, Florida that promotes solutions to light pollution • "Night At the Museum", at the Tampa Bay History Center, which included a staged "invasion" of the museum and interaction with the media and the public

    Drawing Instructor

    Sep, 2007 - Present

    Morean Art Center

    Drawing instructor at one of the largest art centers in the Tampa Bay area, one of the few art instructors who has taken classes online

    Art Instructor

    Mar, 2005 - Aug, 2006

    Towns of Belleair, Safety Harbor, Largo, Clearwater

    Drawing instructor for recreation departments of several towns in the Tampa Bay area, conducting classes and workshops in the arts

    Drawing Instructor

    Apr, 2004 - Aug, 2007

    Dunedin Fine Art Center

    Cartooning and drawing instructor at fine art center in Dunedin, Florida

    Independent Living Counselor

    Sep, 1991 - Apr, 1992

    VIP Program

    Counselor and advisor to behaviorally challenged adolescents, providing guidance on independent living and job-search skills

    Art Instructor

    Sep, 1991 - Nov, 1991

    Shelburne Craft School

    Drawing instructor for local craft school, Shelburne Vermont

    Art Camp Counselor

    May, 1991 - Aug, 1991

    IMPACT Summer Camp

    Cartooning and drawing teacher / camp counselor to children at summer day camp in Dobbs Ferry, NY

    Education

    Bachelor's of Arts, Graphic Design

    Sep, 1987 - Jun, 1991

    Lyndon State College

    Certificate, Business Development

    May, 2017 - Aug, 2017

    Co.Starters Entreprenurial Program

    Certificate, Web Development

    Sep, 2013 - Mar, 2014

    Pinellas Technical Education Center

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