I am originally from Massachusetts and grew up in a beautiful town 30 miles north of Boston, now living in North Port, Florida. My interest in the arts started at a very young age, and by the time I was 13 and a freshman at Billerica Memorial High School I decided that being an artist was going to be my career of choice. I have been Illustrating portraits of various subjects for well over 20 years.

I attended the Art Institute of Boston in 1984 and studied Illustration with a minor in Graphic Design, hoping to become a successful Magazine Illustrator. Back then, my artistic path took me down the road of printing and mechanical drawing. I worked at various printing companies from 1984 to 1997. Even though my path as an artist seemed to change to graphic design it has never stopped my passion to draw and illustrate the subjects that I love which are people, wildlife and pets.

I lived in Great Britain for eight fantastic years and loved the vast amount of culture, arts, nature, and the fabulous countryside. Then in 2005 we moved to the US and have been enjoying the beauty of Florida living, culture, wildlife and fabulous scenery that only the Gulf Coast of Florida can give to you each and every day.

Today my passion for animals and nature has taken me to create color and graphite pencil drawings of some of my most favorite subjects. I will draw from the largest of wildlife creatures to the smallest of domestic pets. This has become my passion and interest of choice but I still love to do Portraits of people as well.

Classes with Sheryl Unwin

Helen has been teaching fine art to beginners and advanced students for over twenty-five years. She teaches a variety of art subjects such as still life, landscape/seascapes, figures and portraits. Teaching students simple shading in pencils and color pencils to more advanced mediums such as pastels, watercolors, acrylic and oils.

Helen has always been involved in the arts, Helen was one of the founding member of the South Shore Arts Council. A current member of the Tampa Museum of Art and The Firehouse Cultural Center. Helen had owned her own art business for many years before moving to Illinois. Helen worked at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, teaching continuing education and older adults before moving to Florida in 2003.

Classes with Helen Solomon

Victoria Gomez Mayol is a young joyful artist from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She majored in Visual Arts at the University of Arts in Buenos Aires. Her work has been featured in galleries and national and international private collections. Her compositions are clear statements of life. Victoria’s innovating manner combines traditional materials and luminous colors, with a variety of mixed techniques. She considers herself a figurative artist. Most of her work is about the female figure painted with strength and personality. The artist’s refined style makes her compositions well-balanced, distinctly unique and they are real conversation pieces. Her classes are a breath of fresh air, where she not only teaches technique but also encourages her students to explore and experiment while connecting with their emotions. Art is about finding our own voice. It is a continual search throughout our lives and we must enjoy the journey.

Classes with Victoria Mayol

Alexandra Lillis’ artwork has been  featured in solo and group exhibits at governmental buildings and  cultural centers. In addition her work is in private collections.  Alexandra Lillis lives and draws her inspiration from Anna Maria Island,  Florida. She received her Bachelors of Fine Art (BFA) from Ringling  College of Art and Design, Florida

Classes with Alexandra Lillis

Classes with Lolly Owens

Angel Navarro owns and operates Angel Navarro Photography, Inc., a photography and digital design company, in Bradenton, Florida. He provides both portrait and commercial photography services to clients through all of Central Florida. His portrait specialties are high school senior pictures, wedding photography and professional headshots. In addition to portraiture, he also provides editorial, advertising and product photography.

Angel began a career as a professional photographer in 1996, which added to his repertoire of skills as a graphic designer. It was a natural addition to a creative process that thrived on creativity, resourcefulness and ingenuity.

The rewarding opportunity to provide photography education began when he was asked to join Johnson Photo Imaging as their director of education. He soon discovered that what he understood now needed to find its expression to teaching. As both an instructor and a full-time photographer, he discovered the rewards of teaching others the craft of photography. With each passing year comes the opportunity to meet new challenges and serve new clients. As one who has benefited from the craft of photography, he also feesl a responsibility to pass on the skills which have served him so richly.

Classes with Angel Navarro