Our Mission:

To heighten our ability to perceive the nuance of life and interpret it into art. Excellence, harnessing our talent, and consistency are the embodiment of what we strive to achieve technically as artists.

Instructor Note:
Work on these paintings were done only by the students. My job is to give the students the instruction so they can produce the work on their own. I do not work on the student's projects.

Portraits

Amy Kranz - Portrait Number 2 of Amy's husband's grandmother from an old family photo.
A Christmas gift.

Ellen Anton - Portrait Number 1 - A Christmas gift for her family.

Still Life

Ellen Anton - Student Work in Private Lessons

This pastel still life was painted by Ellen in 8 sessions.

“D.K. is a phenomenal teacher! I have always appreciated art and had a desire to take a class, but I was always too scared—what if I couldn’t draw? What if I didn’t understand the instructions? What if the instructor was critical and impatient?

As D.K.’s student, I had no need to worry. She taught me so much about art as well as how to relax and enjoy the process. Her patience, clear instruction, encouragement, and sweet personality made it possible for me to accomplish more than I ever expected as a beginner. I can’t imagine having a better art teacher than D.K. and I hope to take many more classes from her!” - Ellen Anton

Jeri Campbell - Student Work in Group Class

This pastel still life was painted by Jeri in 6 sessions.

"D.K. Richardson is an amazing art instructor. She has helped me learn many things to look for in my art work, such as movement, lights and darks, and how to make a piece look dimensional and real. She pushes me to look for detail I would not normally see.

I feel I am a better artist with room to grow and improve under D.K.'s instruction. She is very positive and encouraging as well as a delight to spend hours with." - Jeri Campbell

Landscape

Cynthia W. - Student Work in Group Class

This pastel landscape was painted by Cynthia in 2 sessions.

"I finally learned how to confidently work with pastels in this class! D.K. taught me how to refrain from blending and how to layer color. She also taught me how to bring objects forward and push them back in space.

Her instruction helped me make a large leap forward in my ability to create a beautiful, finished pastel painting." - Cynthia W.

Private Instruction

Susan Patty - Student Work in Private Instruction

The pastel landscape was painted by Susan Patty in two 1/2 day Sessions of Individual Instruction.

An excerpt from Susan's experience:
"...I felt very excited about the work I was accomplishing. This was my real first instruction in pastels.

I thought D.K. was a patient and good instructor. She has a helpful disposition, laid down the type of help she would give me from the start, and was flexible when I didn’t understand what I was supposed to do.

Doing art is sometimes frustrating, but D.K. talked me through a couple of my misgivings. The net result was that I was satisfied with my finished piece. D.K. was professional, punctual, gentle in correcting, easy to understand, and demonstrated what I could not grasp mentally.

I did this piece of artwork for my father, which turned out remarkably well. I gave D.K. permission to use my work, although I have changed a couple of things since her last visit.

I felt like she gave me the skills to further my work." - Susan Patty