I am excited to announce that my apprenticeship and mentorship programs are open again.

Studio Programs:

Technique Apprenticeship

Technique Apprenticeships requires 6 hours/ week. You can split this up between two days per week, or do it all in one day. You will have a dedicated drafting table in the studio and the 6 hours includes weekly demos, advisement, and project guidance. Many materials will be provided. Cost: $500 / Month

Virtual Apprenticeship

Now presenting virtual apprenticeships! This includes weekly emails, feedback on work, a virtual conference call once a month, and a monthly package in the mail that includes new materials and project guidance. You will need to dedicate 6 hours / week to project work. Cost: $500 / Month

Work / Study Apprenticeship

This is a great option for someone who is interested in the business side of being an artist because you will gain insight into the inner workings of the studio. It requires 12 hours / week. 6 hours of study, and 6 hours of work in the studio. Cost: $150 / Month for materials and studio space.

Mentorship

This is for the artist who is already on their way! I have worked with college graduates and self taught artists who have worked several years developing their voice but might need a push or someone to talk out problems with. I will help you develop your path. Mentorship includes an hour long meeting or call 2-3 time a month. Cost: $100 / Month

Fill out the form below and expect an email from me in 1-3 days. We will schedule a time for an interview to meet.

About the Mentor

I studied art at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA 2011). I took away a lot from my experience there, one of those things being that you do not have to go to a prestigious art school to be a great artist! A degree from an art school is needed if you want to teach, work in arts administration, or work in a museum. If you do not want to do those things, you really don’t HAVE to go to an art school. So, what else will make you a great artist? A strong interest to learn, and having an advisor to help you through the process. 

I have devoted my life to art. From a young age, I was obsessed with creating. And I traveled the world to study my obsession, in the pursuit of great art and technique. I have an undergraduate degree in Painting and Drawing and a Master’s degree in Painting and Printmaking. I spent a chunk of years doing art fairs. I used to teach in a traditional setting. But what I enjoyed most was connecting with my students and seeing them through the entire process. And that’s what brings us here today…

The Studio

The studio is located in Kalamazoo near Texas Corners. It is on a 10 acre former Christmas Tree farm! We have walking trails in the woods and we are planning gardens to offer forms of inspiration. The studio is a two story, 2,000sq.ft. building. You will have a dedicated drafting table, some provided materials, and 6 hours of studio time each week. 

About the Program

I am not going to teach you to paint just like me. This is not a paint by number course. It is not paint pouring or any current easy trend. This is the real stuff. This is fine art. This is YOUR intuition and YOUR hand creating work that is genuine to you. By using traditional training methods, combined with both traditional and contemporary art techniques, you will learn the skills to develop your own personal style. 

Because each of my students are unique, the program is individually designed for your interests and skills. I teach seasoned artists, beginners, hobbyists, and soon-to-be professional artists who want to take their work to the next level. The one thing you need to come with is dedication and passion. Typically, this is a three - four year program. Here is an example of what the Technique Apprenticeship looks like:

Drawing Methods, Composition and Concept 

A basis of drawing is essential in most forms of art, even sculpture. Even if you hate it, it’s important to develop some drawing skill! You will experience many drawing materials and methods, from photo-realism to more loose approaches. You will end this year gravitating toward an aesthetic preference that will inform the rest of the program. 

Water Media, Further Developing Concept

We will work small and we will work big. You will explore different water based media, and work on a series of large works in your preferred medium. 

Oil

In traditional painting apprenticeships you start with drawing, and then go on to water media, and then to oil. Oil is often thought of as the most difficult medium. If anything, it has its own set of rules to master. 

Mixed-Media and/or Printmedia

This is something you can decided to do after you complete the first two segments of the apprenticeship. Maybe you gravitate towards water media, or collage, or develop an interest in printmaking. The only difference is instead of spending an entire year on oil painting, we will introduce combining media and adding some printmaking methods to your wheelhouse. 

Optional: Printmedia

This year will be devoted to making print editions. You will learn the realm of digital, along with traditional methods like screen-printing, drypoint, and relief printing.  

Advanced / Professional Track

This is offered to artists who have already completed one of my programs, or have a degree in art and are seeking an advisor. We discus concept in work, exhibiting methods, and professional goals among other things that you will need to know when you enter the realm of professional artist!