The Studio

The Joy of Art Studio sits on a hill above a beautiful lake in Maryland. It is spacious and bright. The artist and her students work in the same large space, though generally not simultaneously! This is an opportunity for students to observe what the life and activities of a working artist are. Her easel is by a window, overlooking the lake and it is there that she is either working on commissions (portraits, landscapes, pets, etc.) or her own work.

The artist has a large personal art library with over 300 books, as well as a generous collection of art magazines. Many of these books were from a collection started in the 1950s by her mother. Lynne has added to them over the years and now has a wide range of art texts. This library serves as reference for her and for her students who may borrow these materials to take home.

There is a separate gallery room off of the main studio where the artist’s work is on display.

Art Instruction

There are three pre-requisites for learning art skills and becoming an artist. They are interest, desire and intention. The interest can be there from an early age. Lynne has often found that to be true, even though a person may not take up art till they are well into their middle years. Desire is a strong motivating force to move toward a goal and intention will get one there.

If a person has these three characteristics, then the instruction may begin. Complete success is now a totally realistic goal. Having taught for over 30 years, Lynne has seen this to be the truth over and over again.

As in most professions, there are specific skills to be mastered. This is usually done with live instruction from a teacher. The art student’s task is to find a teacher that is not only good at their own art, but is an excellent teacher. Being a good artist does not really have anything to do with whether a person is good at teaching art. Teaching is, in itself, a special skill.

Among the qualities Lynne considers essential in an art teacher are:

Students of all ages study with Lynne. The youngest student she has had privately was 5 years old. A few were at the other end of life, in their late 70s and 80s. She truly enjoys all ages. When a person has a love of art and aesthetics, age is completely irrelevant.

Lynne has a very specific program which takes a student from basic drawing skills into painting in oil or watercolor. Good drawing is the vital underpinning to any artwork and needs to be mastered before painting skills are undertaken.

During class, there is classical music as background. A coffee pot is always going and Lynne’s own work in progress is visible on her easel as the student sets up their work for the session.

Classes are one on one, though occasionally there may be two students coming together. These are weekly and last for 2 hours.

Initially, Lynne holds an hour interview with prospective students (and their parents, if it is a young person). During this time, the program is explained and a tour of the studio is given.

Among the things that Lynne does with her students is take them to museums in the city, in order to give them experience with the real thing. Then, it becomes more evident to the student that what they are doing in class is actually what artists do!

Lynne also will occasionally give group lectures about specific topics. Please click here to view some photographs and a further explanation.

Fees are discussed during the initial interview and vary depending upon the student’s age and schedule.

Because these lessons are one on one, a student may start anytime.