Art Classes
School Year Art Classes
Small-group lessons weekly throughout the school year for students K–12
“Paint Your Own Maine Memory”
Paint a watercolor seascape in two hours, step-by-step instructions, beginners welcome!
Solo Art Lessons
Solo lessons focus on a client’s goals,
for adults and children aged 10 and up
Testimonials
“Emily has an infectious passion for art. My kids look forward to class with her every week!”
—Mary Hopkins
“Five stars! My daughter wanted to learn plein air watercolor on the island, and this was perfect! She came home with a great sense of success, lots of practical advice, and beautiful artwork. She loved it! We are all hoping we can do more classes with you the next time we’re up on the island.”
—P.C.
“It was a great memory for me to hang out with my daughter, depicting the beauty of Acadia National Park in our paintings. I highly recommend this ‘journey’ to all fathers and daughters if you are looking for a special moment to share.”
—K.B. Choi
“No matter if you ‘stink at art’ people are designed to learn things. And you can learn from the best art teacher there is! Please give this painting class a chance. You can turn a piece of paper into a beautiful Park scene with only simple watercolors. You’re going to love it as much as I did. Enjoy Acadia National Park by looking and remember it by painting.”
—Irene
“Emily’s Art class was definitely a highlight of our stay in Bar Harbor. With the help of her expertise, my son and I had a chance to taste the feeling of being an artist who lives by the ocean. We never thought we would be able to paint since we didn't have any experience, but Emily made it happen! Her teaching was step-by-step, easy to follow and put into practice. Her words were very warm, encouraging, and inspiring.”
—Fan Xu
“[My daughter] is really enjoying your classes. On the ride home last night, she told me that she feels like she’s learning art the way adults do. It's incredibly empowering for her. Thank you!”
—Mom of a Kindergartener
“The girls thoroughly enjoyed your classes. Art is their favorite activity. I was so impressed by everything they did with you. The projects and lessons were top-tier. Their amazing artwork is displayed in the house.”
—Deb Bell
“What I loved about working with Emily in private lessons for three years was how she had the knack to pull the art out of me!! What I was ready for was what the next lesson was about. As a teacher she exemplifies the spirit of educare: ‘to draw out that which lies within.’”
—Dr. Pam Roland, recent president of the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild
About my background, teaching methods, and perspective
I have been teaching classes for children and adults in my home studio since 1990, and offering plein air classes on Mount Desert Island since 2020. In every class I work alongside my students, demonstrating techniques step-by-step to empower them to carry out their own creative ideas. With encouragement, modeling, and practice, I’ve found that virtually anyone can learn to draw and paint. As students engage in art projects, explore new mediums, and offer each other suggestions and encouragement, they practice important attitudes and life skills. Creativity, curiosity, and confidence, self-discipline, concentration, and collaboration, overcoming perfectionism and self-judgment, all have value no matter what career path each may take.
My training as an artist and educator began in childhood, influenced by three generations of artists and teachers. At the Interlochen Arts Academy, I had inspiring teachers for academics, art, dance, and music. Classes in art, anthropology, psychology, and education, at Amherst College and College of the Atlantic, also inspired me to pursue teaching as a career. Positions I have held include Middle School Language Arts, Lead Teacher and Art teacher at a Waldorf school, K–8 at a one-room school, K–8 Art teacher in a public school, mentoring students at the high school and college level, and homeschooling my children for part of their primary educations. I have mentored teachers-in-training, and have taught many workshops for adults.