Paula has over forty years of teaching experience in academic, community and private settings. In an atmosphere of encouragement and support, with a maximum class size of six, you will receive individual attention and help in developing your own personal vision and style. People study with Paula for a variety of reasons: to explore the non-verbal, intuitive, creative parts of the brain, to expand technical skills, or to begin to learn how to paint and draw. Paula also offers her expertise as a Creativity Coach and as a Mentor.
When you study with Paula you will gain the confidence and tools you need to begin and continue on your artistic journey.
“I’d never picked up a paint brush in 57 years so I had no idea where to start. A year of patient, considerate, thoughtful, expert artistic mentoring and several of my paintings are in a holiday art show at a local gallery. Better than that, painting brings me such joy, contentment and a great sense of freedom.”
“Your knowledge amazes me; your kindness and encouragement engage me. Your space delights the senses.”
For class scheduling please use the contact section at the bottom of the page
Watercolor is a transparent medium. It is luminous and alive, full of movement, surprise and joy. Paula’s teaching embraces the elusive balance between control of the the paint and an understanding of when to step back and let the paint make its own mark.
In these classes you will explore methods of applying and moving paint on paper, experience degrees of wetness of paper and brush for particular effects, study color theory, transparent layering, soft and hard edges and learn the sequence of building a watercolor painting.
You will learn how to use watercolor paints, brushes and papers to create the results you want.
“I wanted to thank you for these past 10 weeks. It’s been a gift to me. Your candid sharing and answers to all my crazy questions about life as an artist were so appreciated. Your ability to share your gift and knowledge in a non judgemental way made for such a great intro to watercolor. It’s been a long time since I did something for me, and this couldn’t have been better.”
“Paula, Thank you! I had the most wonderful experience of my life today at the workshop…..I am not kidding you. I have difficulty relaxing and today was the most relaxed I have ever been. …and you are right, it is magical. Thanks”
“Painting with Paula is pure pleasure. Paula’s relaxed and comfortable way of sharing her expertise allows beginning and intermediate painters to experience the fun and joy of watercolor painting.”
Drawing is both the structural support behind painting and a beautiful medium in itself.
In all classes we will work in some form with proportion, light and dark shading and shadowing, shape, line, negative space, composition, perspective and detail.
Paula’s teaching method is based on” right side of the brain” theory in which you learn first how to look at three dimensional object and spaces, and then translate this information onto paper.
Whether you have never drawn or feel that you can’t be taught or for those who simply want to reconnect and remember the pleasure in drawing and improve skills…
“This class has been a real eye opener for me. Humbling and amazing. Thanks for your thoughtfulness in teaching.”
“Paula really created a safe space , very comfortable atmosphere, encouraging in a really positive way but fair and honestly. I learned a lot.”
“The class was very helpful in understanding the basic concepts of drawing. Paula’s style is positive and she has a wonderful calm tone that is conducive to learning.”
“This was a great workshop – Paula covered a lot of material in a really constructive way- and did it with lightness and humor.”
“This workshop was very good for me- half a dozen very different ways of beginning to see and represent what I see on paper.”
These are actually oil paints and the painting techniques are quite identical to oils except water is substituted for turpentine or other volatile solvents. They are ideal for oil painters who are unable to be around turpentine or others who have avoided oil painting for this reason.
In this class you will learn basic oil paint techniques or use the skills you already have while exploring these paints.
“Paula explained and demonstrated in a very user friendly beginner way.”
“Paula’s one of the best instructors I’ve had in any subject.”
These classes will be held outdoors when weather permits.
We will work with principles of landscape drawing and painting such as observation of the land, of the scene, and your perception of what you see. Importance will be placed on how to mix and replicate the colors you see. Through the use of viewfinders and perspective devices to make compositional studies will address issues of creating illusions of three dimensional space.
I will do demos to show my process of drawing and painting the landscape and there will always be time to discuss your process, problems and paintings.
“It was so glorious to spend the week outside painting and drawing with Paula and the group…the highlight of my summer”
“Until next time, and thanks for all I learned!! I love your instruction and get so much out of it.” –
Private lessons in drawing, watercolor and oil painting at any skill level, are available at Paula’s studio, as well as explorations of individual creativity. If you are dealing with creative blocks, resistance or just can’t seem to connect or re-connect with your artist self, think about booking some time with Paula to talk and discuss strategies. You can arrange for as few or as many sessions as you want, from one hour to any length of time. The individual attention you receive can be exhilarating, enlightening and healing. $65-$95 per hour, sliding scale (based on your ability to pay). Phone or Facetime options also exist as an avenue for individual sessions. Contact Paula to discuss how this could work for you.