by Kristen Andersen and Pat Pinto| Sep 21, 2021 | @theartstudiony

Meet Pat Pinto

Pat Pinto began taking classes with The Art Studio NY in 2007. At the time, she lived only two buildings down from the studio. Pat recalls the moment that prompted her to begin her classes; “While walking home one day, I saw a flyer taped to a lamp post that said something like ‘Have you not painted since you were a child? Come back and find the artist in you again’. Come back I did… and I never looked back.”

Pat’s first ever painting with The Art Studio NY

In 2010, Pat left the city to move to Red Bank, New Jersey, thus discontinuing her lessons at our art studio. Although no longer able to attend lessons in NYC, she stayed in touch with Rebecca and even attended her Costa Rica Art Retreat a few years later. 

Once NYC entered lockdown due to Covid-19, The Art Studio NY began offering online art classes, welcoming Pat back into our virtual studio. “Just knowing that I had set time each week to create was a blessing in itself.   The bonus was joining a group of like-minded artists and having time together to share our work and support each other…

“Whether live classes or online, I have always found The Art Studio NY to be a safe, supportive, encouraging and engaging environment. It was so refreshing to be back.  I didn’t quite know what I had been missing in my art until I was back with TASNY.”

Since discovering our online Mixed Media class in 2020, Pat feels she has gained a new found confidence in the freedom of expression the medium has allotted her.  Pat is proud to say she now considers herself an “artist” after all these years. 

“Prior to my return to The Art Studio NY, I used to just say ‘I paint sometimes’”.

Pat’s art classes have made her look at everything differently. “I now appreciate how it makes me feel —  the good and the bad and everything in between,” she shares, “I love how I feel when practicing.    The exploration in each piece is intoxicating –  and keeps me going back for more”. 

“I have learned to trust myself and push myself to do things that I have not done before.”

When asked what advice she has to share with an artist at the beginning stages of their journey, Pat shares,

“There is no such thing as ‘no talent’.  Art is what you feel inside and we all have feelings and it is your opportunity to express your feelings and stretch yourself.   Don’t be afraid – you got this!”

Pat, we are so thankful our online painting classes have allowed us the opportunity to welcome you back to our studio! Thank you for your continued support of our studio, it has been such a pleasure watching you grow as an artist.

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Sign up for a LIVE online art class today! We have classes for adults, teens, and kids. The Art Studio NY’s nurturing style of teaching is perfect for beginners. Engage with some of New York’s top rated artists and mingle with students who share a similar passion for art.

by Kristen Andersen | July 9th | @theartstudiony

Meet Artist Elaine Hirsch

Elaine’s art journey started from a very young age. She took many in person art classes throughout her life; in college, when she was first married, private classes here, acrylic group classes there… She also taught Hebrew Calligraphy to high school and adult learning classes. Elaine’s interest in art was furthered by her late cousin, Ben Schilmeister, who was an amazing graphic, portrait and calligraphy artist. Elaine practices art in a variety of mediums; pencil, chalk, charcoal, pastel, and acrylic. 

The Hebrew letter Shin -Elaine Hirsch

Part of Elaine’s responsibilities at work include a program called Wise Aging, where students learn positive ways to navigate a meaningful transition to the next chapter on life’s journey. After raising families and having careers, one owes it to themselves to rediscover who they are. Life after retirement is the time to start a new chapter– to reinvent yourself, according to Elaine.

My grandmother of Blessed Memory as a teenager- Elaine Hirsch

Because Elaine was already working from home due to the pandemic, she thought she would give online art classes a try. On April 6th, 2020, Elaine joined her first online zoom class at The Art Studio NY. At the time, Zoom was something new to Elaine, but it is now something she uses quite regularly for work and The Art Studio NY. It has been a really useful resource, especially considering it has allowed her the opportunity to join NYC based art classes from Arizona. 

After being asked why she decided to revisit art classes during the pandemic, Elaine answered, “I thought the art classes would be healing… it’s reclaiming an old hobby of mine”. Elaine confessed that she hoped she to return to her artistic practice after retirement. “I’ve always practiced art, but I’ve never practiced as intensely as what The Art Studio NY has provided,” shares Elaine. 

“I’ve re-found my passion”

Acrylic Painting of a Cactus in Bloom – Elaine Hirsch

Elaine admits she finds herself fighting the urge to continue painting in exchange for a good night’s sleep. Now she has her own space in her office where she paints. Portrait paintings are her favorite. Portraits really capture a person’s essence and personality. Elaine shares that her portraits really are a way to help her process emotions. For example, she had a very dear friend, Mali, that died of cancer, in addition to her cousin, Yishai, who also died of cancer this year. In Rebecca’s class, Elaine painted the two of them and it was very healing. Unfortunately, Elaine couldn’t go to their funerals so this was a way to connect with them one last time. After the paintings were done, Elaine sent the portraits off to their families. 

Portrait of Elaine’s cousin who recently passed away.

Acrylic Painting of my Dear Friend Mali Who Recently Passed Away – Elaine Hirsch

Elaine’s art practice is a way for her to stay connected to herself and those who shaped her. After Elaine’s talented, artistic mother passed away 3 years ago, Elaine feels she is continuing to honor her by keeping the family’s art practice strong. If Elaine could give her pre-pandemic self some advice, she would say, “I should’ve started this a long time ago.” 

My Three Granddaughters at the Beach – Elaine Hirsch

My Mother of Blessed Memory as a Teenager – Elaine Hirsch

by Kristen Andersen | June 29 | @theartstudiony

Meet Molly Whalen

Molly has been attracted to making art since her older sister, Kate, took Drawing and Painting classes in high school. Studying her sister’s sketchbook led to Molly deciding to take art classes in high school herself, followed by a college Bachelors in Art Education. Since then, Molly has worked as an Art Educator in the City School District of Albany, NY for 30 years and recently retired in June of 2020 during the COVID pandemic.  

Molly loved working with the pre-K through 6th grade children in her art room because it was a place where they could experience hands-on-learning, create beautiful art, and use many different mediums. Molly used Children’s Literature within her art lessons. She taught art history and painted daily with the kids because they are so uninhibited and free with the colors! “It was demanding at times, but became a vocation and part of my life journey that I will never forget,” she says.

Molly started taking online art classes at The Art Studio NY in the Fall of 2020 with Rebecca Schweiger and finds it quite enjoyable! “Rebecca is a warm, well-informed, positive, and experienced painter/Art Educator/ with a great sense of humor! She validates all the students’ effort, artwork, and vision for their art.”

 An oil painter primarily, Molly has started using collage and acrylics a lot more this year. 

“My painting inspiration comes from a love of nature and the outdoors. I hike in the NYS Adirondack Park and surrounding areas of New England with my family and friends. The forest, ocean, lakes and mountains bring a sense of joy and peace to me, in this very stressful world we live in. I feel connected to something much bigger than the day to day minutiae of life when I am hiking and exploring the environment.”

The critiques and feedback from Rebecca and the other classmates in Molly’s group make her experience at The Art Studio NY more memorable each week. “I really value what Rebecca and the other women see and say about my paintings and look forward to the Thursday morning classes. Not only do I enjoy seeing their work, but I learn from everyone else’s successes and mistakes. I like the videos that Rebecca shares with us on art techniques and relevant artists. It will be great to come to NYC soon and take an in-person class.”

Molly is most proud of her recent dedication to painting, her openness to learning new things and making “virtual learning in Art” a success.

“I am proud of the results that I have achieved with my artistic journey and being able to view mistakes as opportunities,”

She continues, “I have achieved greater confidence, renewed interest in my artwork, and a sense of a creative community due to The Art Studio NY that I didn’t think I could with online classes. It’s really fun to connect with other artists around the world in a zoom art class!

“I look at my pre-pandemic self and say, ‘Don’t neglect your unique, individual, soulful, and artistic self ‘. As a wife, mother of three children, and 30 year educator, I was overextending myself. I was constantly giving, planning, working, and trying to stay in control of everything. That didn’t nurture my inner-self, it neglected my personal artistic expression, and made me feel burned out. I was blessed with so much, but needed to slow down to listen to others, be ‘in the moment‘ more, have faith, and actually appreciate my life instead of living on the hamster wheel.

 My advice to any beginner is to just approach an art class like any other enrichment class, let yourself relax and enjoy the process.

I believe that everyone can create, the classes are for all ability levels and the teachers at TASNY are talented, knowledgeable, and welcoming to everyone. 

 The pandemic has impacted Molly’s “Art Appreciation” practice because all the museums and galleries have been closed for so long. She misses being inspired by the exhibits and art/artists that are shown in those wonderful places. Molly studied abroad in London for a semester in college, and visited many museums and galleries in Europe while she was there. “I think museums are like big Art schools, with so much to see, hear and learn from! I would love to work at one of the big Art Museums in NYC.

“My artistic influences are: Georgia O’Keefe for her extensive palette, beautiful works of nature, and lifelong dedication to painting. Vincent Van Gogh for his Expressionistic style, subject matter and oil paint texture. Frida Kahlo for her ability to portray real emotion in her portraits, women’s issues, and her commitment to learning/painting through adversity. Faith Ringgold for her storytelling, quilting, and honest communication of race and diversity through Art. William Johnson for his perseverance, colorful portraits, painting style and life story. And Helen Frankenthaler for her exploration of Abstract painting, large scale of her work, and use of meditative color field painting.

 Art has changed my life because it has filled my senses and excited my mind since I was young.

I am a visual learner who is motivated by the creative process, but who also loves literature. Art has allowed me to become educated, be social, travel, and be employed in Art Education for many years. Because of this I celebrate diversity, appreciate cultures and history, am more patient, and view the natural world as awe inspiring! I see the interconnectedness between Art, Math, Science, and Technology and embrace the “STEAM” approach to teaching and learning. Art has certainly changed my life for the better.”

Sign up for a LIVE online art class today! We have classes for adults, teens, and kids. The Art Studio NY’s nurturing style of teaching is perfect for beginners. Engage with some of New York’s top rated artists and mingle with students who share a similar passion for art.

by Kristen Andersen | June 18 | @theartstudiony

Anna Chatsisvili

Anna has been taking painting and drawing classes since childhood, until she stopped at some point to focus on her conservatory studies and career in Pharmaceutical Sciences. One day, the Biotech company she was working for organized a painting workshop. This workshop reminded Anna of how much she enjoys painting. Leading Anna to pick up her paint brushes and start painting again. Anna’s family has been super supportive of her artistic journey– her sister being her biggest fan, fondly remembering Anna’s childhood paintings. Anna’s parents bought Anna’s first huge tripod, and her partner gifted her an online advanced painting course with us at The Art Studio New York as a Christmas present.

“Painting has enriched my life with creativity and inner peace.” 

Time and Space Distorted, by Anna Chatsisvili

This online class that Anna was given is Rebecca Schweiger’s advanced online painting class. Anna has been a student with The Art Studio NY since March 2021. Anna says, “I think it is great that I am able to join an art class in New York City from my home-based atelier in The Netherlands!” Being the only European in the class, Anna has found great pleasure in meeting people from across the world with the same passion for painting. 

“The class gives me a sense of community, structure, and energy”

Shades of Green, Anna Chatsisvili

Some of Anna’s favorite painters are Klimt, Tsereteli, Akhvlediani, Kandinsky, Van Gogh, and Renoir. Anna’s mother has cultivated her love for painting since a very young age. “She enrolled me in painting classes, and when I was 10 years old, she got me an amazing encyclopedia of art history – I still love those books!” Anna also fondly remembers her middle school art teacher who taught her a lot of new techniques and inspired her to paint.  

Network, by Anna Chatsisvili

When asked how the pandemic has affected her art practice, Anna shares that it has given her the opportunity to devote more time to painting. It has also taught her to appreciate the things that we take for granted in life. The hardest part of the pandemic for Anna has been the uncertainty. Anna shares that she “feels excited and creative before art class, fulfilled and uplifted afterwards.  I also find it very fun to prepare my own colors – I only get the basic colors (yellow, red, blue, white and black), and create the rest myself.”

The Tree, by Anna Chatsisvili

“Rather than just a hobby, painting is a need for me, a way of meditation and self-expression. When I paint, I lose the sense of time. Is painting my ikigai? Probably.”  

               Metekhi Church at Dusk                                          Eternal Flow                                                   You and I 

Sign up for a LIVE online art class today! We have classes for adults, teens, and kids. The Art Studio NY’s nurturing style of teaching is perfect for beginners. Engage with some of New York’s top rated artists and mingle with students who share a similar passion for art.

by Kristen Andersen | June 9 | @theartstudiony

For Bari, by Jeannie Blaustein The radiant florals & shades of pink juxtaposed the circular & linear patterns of the azure pottery are what makes Jeannie Blaustein’s For Bari truly stand out. The story behind the artwork is what captivates us.  Bari Moss (left) holding For Bari, gifted to her by fellow artist and The Art Studio NY student, Jeannie Blaustein (right)   As Jeannie’s good friend Bari Moss’s birthday began to approach, Jeannie thought it would be the perfect opportunity to put her new found painting skills to use and paint something for her friend. Bari is a talented artist herself and Jeannie has enjoyed many of her mugs, bowls, and vases over the years. “Every morning, my coffee tastes better because it’s in one of her beautiful mugs, and I feel so grateful for the craft and beauty she’s brought into my life. I absolutely love the colors and patterns she creates,” says Jeannie. She continues, “I thought what better way than to use her own work as my inspiration! So, I bought flowers and set up a still life. I waited until the moment of the day when the sun casts strong shadows into my living room, and snapped some photos! I made a large print of the photo and worked on it for weeks. Each detail reminded me of Bari’s gorgeous work, and gave me pleasure to try and capture her art in another medium.” For Bari has taken Jeannie about 2 months of the 18 total months she’s been practicing oil painting to complete. Jeannie started painting 4 months prior to the pandemic- only painting once a week in her studio art class. Now she practices art on a daily basis– whether it’s at home or on the go, Jeannie makes sure to squeeze in a paint session each day.  “I really don’t know why I paint,” Jeannie says, “About two years before I signed up for my first class, I started hearing a small, still voice within me that said, ‘You need to paint.’ I don’t know where that comes from and, honestly, I tried to ignore it. Until I promised a wise friend of mine that I would start painting so I signed up for a beginners class and took it over and over again! As soon as I started, I fell in love… Color, the process of mixing colors, and finding something that feels just right brings me a lot of joy.” Attending an online art class really helped Jeannie during the pandemic. It’s been a wonderful way for her to stay connected to her artistic practice and fellow students of art. Jeannie’s advanced oil painting online class consists of mostly the same group of students which contributes to a strong sense of community within the virtual art class. This camaraderie has helped Jeannie feel encouraged and supported to continue practicing, trying, and learning. “My instructor, Rebecca Schwieger, is full of ideas, examples, and radical encouragement at every turn. She has played such an important part in this last year for me, and I’m so grateful for her open, accepting, and enthusiastic approach to painting,” shares Jeannie.  “My life has changed completely. All I want to do is paint.  ‘I’m taking both painting and drawing, and I notice that I’m seeing the world through new eyes. I take pictures with my phone all the time now, always alert to something that I might want to paint or draw. I feel more alive and connected to the world around me, both the beauty and the ugliness, because it all needs to be told and shared and acknowledged. And I get excited about looking at things in this new way. I helped launch an organization 4 years ago called Reimagine End of Life, which helps people confront the realities of death and dying while also supporting them in living fully during the precious time we have. In painting, I feel I’ve discovered for myself something that makes my life richer and more beautiful, and I feel so fortunate to have found painting, even at 58 years old!” Jeannie spent the first 8 months of the pandemic in Cape Cod, where she fell in love with the colors of the gorgeous landscapes               When asked what advice she would give her pre-pandemic self, Jeannie says, “Paint every day. Life is short and unpredictable. Figure out what matters and what you love, and honor that in yourself.”

Sign up for a LIVE online art class today! We have classes for adults, teens, and kids. The Art Studio NY’s nurturing style of teaching is perfect for beginners. Engage with some of New York’s top rated artists and mingle with students who share a similar passion for art.

Meet TASNY Student Pilar Lagos

Kristen Andersen (KA): Why did you decide to take an online art class? Describe your experience.

Pilar Lagos (PL): Art brings me joy. This is the main reason why I made the decision to take an online art class this year (2021). 

With the pandemic, I started to notice that my days and weeks were becoming a blur, so around the holiday season in 2020, I took time off work even though I knew I would have to stay put in the city. At first, I was feeling sad that I would not be able to fly home to my native Honduras to spend time with my family. I was also worried about how I would fill my days; I felt stuck and restless at the same time. 

Fortunately, after spending an entire year at home with my husband, I began to notice that he is always able to entertain himself. He’s either studying for his PhD, reading fantasy or sci-fi books or “hobbying”, as he likes to call it. 

I figured I could also do the same thing; find ways to keep myself busy and enjoy much needed rest. So, I ordered a bunch of DIY embroidery kits and dusted off my watercolor paper and paints from previous art classes. Needless to say, spending time off immersed in my own art practice rekindled my interest in drawing and painting. So, without giving it much thought, I signed up for two classes with the Art Studio NY and stayed on. 

CVST, by Pilar Lagos

KA: What have you gained from taking virtual art classes?

PL: I have gained the ability to spend time alone with my ideas and not be afraid of my thoughts.  Before the pandemic, I kept my social calendar full and didn’t really make time for myself or my art practice.

I’ve also learned to be much more patient with myself.

For example, I’ve learned that if I want to achieve good value on a drawing, spending the time on a piece will reap results. Part of the creative process is to be present in what I’m doing and being unafraid to pause to let ideas simmer.

KA: What advice would you give your pre-pandemic self?

PL: I would tell myself to never stop doing art, even when life gets busy. It’s ok to carve out time for yourself to do the things that you enjoy. 

KA: How has the pandemic impacted your art practice?

PL: The pandemic has impacted my art practice in several good ways. 

For example, when I took a children’s book illustration course at the University of the Arts London in 2017,  I went there with the goal of creating and finishing a children’s book. This did not happen and I felt frustrated that I did not experience a eureka moment. In hindsight, I didn’t even have a character in mind, yet I was expecting so much from myself.  

What I failed to notice at that time was that a week in London playing with colored pencils, pastels and markers, sparked my interest in the different techniques that artists use to illustrate children’s books. From then on, I started to collect children’s books and would spend hours looking at each page. One thing led to the other, and, in 2018 I took another picture book course at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, this time with a character in mind. Yet again, I felt frustrated that I could not illustrate my character in the way that I wanted because I lacked basic drawing skills. 

This year, I set myself the goal of learning to draw. I told myself to enjoy the process rather than rush it. I also allowed myself to explore different mediums and not fixate on a particular project. 

In a way, my pre-pandemic art practice was a reflection of my life. I was always rushing, taking the subway from one place to another and did not allow myself to rest or reflect.

Now, I feel much more grounded in my art practice. I physically have nowhere to go on a daily basis so I take out my paper and allow myself to explore and play with paint or graphite.

KA: Why do you practice art? What has attracted you to this hobby in particular and why has it stuck?

PL: I practice art because it makes me forget the outside world and I’m transported into my little bubble of joy. I think the reason why this hobby has stuck is because I finally relented to my obsession with perfectionism. I have given myself the opportunity to learn; to be a beginner and enjoy the process of achieving something new (and unexpected) each time I sit to work on a piece. 

Cortical, by Pilar Lagos

KA: Do you have an artistic influence (a favorite artist, someone in your life, someone you look up to, etc)?

PL: My all time favorite artists are Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondriaan, Henri Matisse and Claude Monet. More recently, I’ve become obsessed with the work of Michelangelo. My favorite illustrators are Marion Deuchars and Francesca Sanna. 

More personally, I consider my mom an artist and my biggest inspiration. She was always ready to help me out with my art projects while growing up and made sure that my brother and I were exposed to art. I recently found an old photo of my family at an art exhibition. It’s not surprising that my younger brother went on to become an amazing architect, and, here I am in my mid-thirties, doing art again. 

KA: Has art changed your life, and if so, how?

PL: Yes, I’ve become more protective of my time and how I start my days. Art has given my life a sense of structure in this very unknown world that we are living in right now. 

One of the first things that I do every morning is spend a few minutes working on a piece. I’ll either go back to add more value to a drawing or continue working on a second or third layer of a watercolor piece. I usually do this before work and before my husband wakes up. It’s a pocket of time that belongs to me and I like to savor it as much as I can. 

KA: Do you have any art pieces in particular that you’re really proud of? 

PL: I am particularly proud of the distorted portraits that I drew in the ‘Fear-Free Drawing: Portrait and Figure Drawing Class’ with Lindsay Eller. Around the time of the course, I had a very sudden and painful positional headache, which turned out to be a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. I was in constant pain and bedridden for 10 days. Surprisingly, when I drew in bed, I would forget that my head was pounding.

I placed all my energy on what I had in front of me, a sheet of paper and graphite pencils. 

When Lindsay tasked us with the exercise, I wanted to draw a portrait that would depict the pain that I was experiencing underneath my skin. When I drew the first piece, I literally felt that I was releasing all the pain in a very tangible way.

Venous, by Pilar Lagos

Spontaneous, by Pilar Lagos

Sign up for a LIVE online art class today! We have classes for adults, teens, and kids. The Art Studio NY’s nurturing style of teaching is perfect for beginners. Engage with some of New York’s top rated artists and mingle with students who share a similar passion for art.