Welcome to Studio 84! This is Tara with her first oil painting of the Monet "Le jardin de l'artiste, à Giverny" 1900. Tara is exactly the kind of student that will be successful as a painter. She listened to my advice, was willing to be experimental, followed the ideas set forth to achieve a best possible likeness and had a great positive attitude throughout her painting. And, she basically never gave up when a certain area became challenging. This painting will be loved by her family forever as a "first" on her painting journey, whether she will decide to paint just for fun, or for a college art program. I will help her with any direction she chooses.
SPRING TERM STARTS ....the week of Monday March 15, 2027
First time Studio 84 students- I provide all subject matter for my beginners/new students to the studio. Their first painting project will be a copy of a masterpiece of their choosing, from a tall stack of images I have collected from the Musee D'Orsay in Paris, Malraux Gallery in Le Havre France, the Portland Art Museum Janet H. Geary Gallery, Musee de Impressionisme Giverny, Legion of Honor in San Francisco, and an exhibit from the National Gallery of Art Impressionist Show at the Seattle Art Museum for starters. I am constantly adding new options. The painting choices are mainly French Impressionism, including works by Morisot, Monet, Pissarro, Manguin, Boudin, Sisley, Manet, Van Gogh and Gaughin. There are a few Early Modern pieces in the mix also, but French Impressionism is the focus.
This painting is their introduction to methods, how to handle the paint, brushes, you name it. And, it also shows them if they really like oil painting. (You can erase with oils and I haven't met a single student yet that didn't like that part!!!)
Returning Studio 84 students - Students may choose to repeat a few masterpieces or move on to their own painting journey following the masterpiece reproduction. Most important is that the image needs to be one that your child really wants to paint and is NOT AN AI IMAGE. There are inspirations for paintings everywhere you look in our everyday world and this is my focus. This is where the teaching to paint in a classical style can be used to its fullest and alternate universes/computer generated images are just plain not an option here at my studio. Some ideas that might be helpful to look into for subject matter are vacation photos, photos of family pets, interiors, landscapes, still life, street scenes and gardens to name a few. Please email me two or three images to choose from and I will have the images professionally printed for your student. Note: I need a few days notice to get your images back from the print shop so don't delay.
Studio rules:
1. I expect students to be on their best behavior as they are a guest at our residence. They also need to be open to help from me, follow my lead and be respectful to me and the others, as I will be the same toward them. Every student, new and returning needs to be mindful of the paint, for all of the supplies, etc. as these are my personal possessions, so I insist they are handled with care.
2. As a group here at the studio, we are reaching for top level finished works that can be used in AP Art programs as well as to enjoy at home. So I am asking for dedication from each student. Also, since this is a mixed age group environment I expect language to be above reproach and older kids to remember they are role models for the younger ones so they need to act accordingly. I expect everyone to have a good attitude and be respectful if they want to continue their painting journey at Studio 84.
3. Provided in the studio each week are: the canvases, oil paints, brushes, paint shirts, cookies and gloves. ***Cell phones are not allowed in the studio!!!*** The phones need to be off and away from the actual studio workspace.
To celebrate the accomplishments of my students, there is a show at the end of each term too! I provide pizza, punch and lots of cookies for everyone. You are encouraged to attend for all or part of the time that night, enjoy the wonderful paintings of the other students and maybe your child will get an inspiration for their next piece! You never know what will give the next spark to inspire your student! :)
I also provide framing for their finished painting. Each student's masterpiece copy will be framed in gold leaf. As they move onto other paintings there are lots of other framing options.
The show is only for my students siblings, parents and grandparents. I'm sorry but no other guests are allowed unless they have been run by me to be added as guests of the studio. No exceptions. Paintings can be taken home at 7:00 pm, but not before, so everyone has a chance to get to see each artist’s painting in the context of a full showcase.
This is how it all works......Each student paints once a week unless we have some other arrangements due to a missed session. They each have a “painting card” with 7 visits of 2 hours each per card. (Two hours I have found over the years is what they can handle well.) Each week/visit counts as one session, and when the 7 sessions are all used, the painting should be completed. For example, the two hour time frame can be from 3-5, 3:30-5:30, 4-6 and so on, with the expectation that everyone is finished at 6:00 pm at the VERY LATEST. Parents are always welcome to come in and see the progress in person versus just on a cell phone, so don't hesitate! Visiting grandparents stop by fairly regularly too which is really great for the students. (There is potential for painting twice a week if you are interested as well, just ask. Students painting twice a week will use up a card twice as fast. I am always encouraging their personal best, based on their experience each and every time, with their cooperation. :)
Any student wishing to work on a larger scale than 11x14 should discuss with me first to ensure it will be a reasonable undertaking. Oversized formats also may require purchasing an extra painting card to complete it, so please be aware that another painting card or a few extra sessions may be necessary. If I feel the best possible has been achieved then the painting is finished. All extra painting sessions are billed at 80.00 per session until completed.
For the Spring Term payment for all new students - please bring or send a check with your child (no credit cards or Venmo - sorry!) for $495.00, on the first painting day of the terms stated on the invoice you will receive in your email. All returning students checks due the first day as well. The regular size painting is also $495. however the large sized format which generally is necessary for more complex imagery is $550. Extra large size is $700. Sizes for returning students will need to be sorted out on the first session and then we'll go from there with invoices based on decisions made on the first day. If I have not received your check by the second week/painting day, there will be a fee of 75.00 added to the invoice. There will not be any painting if I have invoiced for a painting card and no payment has been received by the third session. There will not be refunds on unused sessions when the student leaves for another activity after signing up to paint, thus making a commitment to the spot they are taking from someone else let alone the materials I have invested in them to start their painting.
If your child, 4th grade or older, wants to paint Spring Term 2026, please e-mail me at [email protected]. Please include their name, age, what school they attend and their availability so we can work out the schedule. Painting days are Monday through Thursday. There will be an easel set up for each student on their scheduled day available to them between those hours each week. When there is a holiday or school inservice on a painting day (based on the LO school district calendar), I schedule kids on those days from 1:00-3:00pm and need a confirmed reservation so I can set up the studio appropriately. I will hold a space for you on the day you need, on your word without the need of a deposit and confirm with you through email.
Please schedule outside appointments around your child's set painting schedule. If I do NOT receive notice by text or email within 24 hours of a session you're going to miss, you will be charged for that session on the painting card. I need notice to reschedule kids into available painting time slots and those parents need notice to make it happen for them as well. Thank you in advance for your cooperation which helps all of our fellow painters! Multiple last minute absences may result in your student not being able to finish their painting for the current term show.
*** Friends of your child are welcome to paint with them as well if they are interested! :) That said, I am working with kids who are here to paint lovely paintings. I would prefer that your friends are made aware ahead of signing up when you are talking with them about the studio, that we have a studious/fun/creative atmosphere here, so, I require more painting than playing each session so as not to distract my serious painters. Just looking for balance for everyone's sake. Many many thanks!!! :) Also please tell me who referred you so I may thank them!! This is a word of mouth advertised business and I totally appreciate every single referral I receive which is another reason why I am trying so hard to have every painting that leaves the studio, be the best it can possibly be.
Best always,
Kirsten :)
