Watercolor Classes for Children and Adults

 

Artist's Statement:

 

I feel very privileged to be able to enjoy art on a daily basis. The fact that I teach Monday through Friday not only enables me to paint everyday, but I am surrounded by people, my students, children and adults, that also enjoy what I love.

Rose Reilly Leonard So many people express to me that they couldn't possibly learn to sketch, much less paint. Most all of my students have come to me as novices, but with such desire, that they have achieved much more than they thought possible.

I teach my beginners at a patient pace, it is very step by step, from the sketch (we use a grid in the beginning), to each wash on our paintings. At this stage everything is demonstrated. I feel anyone can be taught proper technique in this manner. As we progress, students learn to use the information they have stored, and work more on their own, and I begin to introduce more complex techniques, composition skills, and different surfaces on which to paint for exploration and variation. Most of my students start as novices, and many have gone on to win awards for their accomplishments.

My students also learn to see with an artist's eye, notice things they hadn't before, colors, shapes; we find beauty in so many more places. I can't imagine my life without art in it. Sharing what I have learned, and continue to learn everyday, is an extremely fulfilling career.

I have a studio in my home overlooking the Metedeconk River, off Princeton Ave, in Brick. This tranquil setting provides inspiration for any artist. I teach several classes there, both children and adult. I also teach 3 different level classes at Greenbriar Woodlands, a class at Howell and Long Branch Senior Centers, and volunteer instruction at Oceans Harbor House, a shelter for troubled teens in Toms River.

I am a member of the Monmouth County Guild of Creative Art, The NJ Watercolor Society, Belmar Boatworks Art Council and The Manasquan River Group of Artists. I exhibit my paintings in many local venues; Cafe Artist (Spring Lake), Primary Elements Interior Design Studio (Point Pleasant), Boatworks Artist Co-op (Belmar), BOI's of New Hope (Pa.), to name a few. I've studied painting and other art mediums for more than 40 years, specializing in watercolor, and have taught in the field of the arts for more than 30 years.