Mission and Vision
Artspiration offers structured lessons designed to take your child on an artistic journey from an early age of 5 years Our lessons and groups are age specific and are designed to achieve specific objectives individually and collectively provide a holistic approach to Drawing and Painting.We cannot stress enough on the value of the process of learning rather than aiming at making a finished and beautiful work solely. Problem solving, critical thinking, decision making, all form an integral part of this process.
Hemmed into our curriculum are Art History, Contemporary Art, Understanding of the Elements of Art, Exploration of various Visual Art forms, Styles, Techniques and Methods and the know how's to use a range of art materials effectively. We believe that right from an early age kids should be introduced to a variety of Art materials as more the tools more the possibilities and this would help your child Explore, Expand and Express well.
The well measured servings of inspiration, instruction and exploration opportunities that the children receive soon start guiding the children in their own self discovered paths. Our lessons are not limited to be an end in themselves, they are designed to extend beyond the classroom and open up inventiveness that keeps in stilling self learning in the long run.
Team
Shalini Nayak
Founder and Art Educator
Shalini Nayak has a Masters in Painting from the Boston University, USA. Her portfolio has also won her awards including the prestigious John Mitchell MFA Grant Award and the Gold Medal from Sir J.J.School of Arts, Mumbai. She has had several shows and her works are in collection world wide now. Since 2007 , Artspiration has been her Art Pursuit. More detail on her website- here
"Artspiration is the ultimate unison of my passion for Art and love to work with children. Their little brains are capable of such lovely imagination, it amazes me each time.
Our lessons are a fine balance of fun and learning, enough to keep them motivated, inspired, open and growing. Our course structure allows us to follow the discipline in a systematic way but also leaves scope for adaptation and changes in the interest of the children.
Artspiration will inspire, motivate, guide and give your budding artists the skills required to express better visually. Our endeavour is nothing less than providng the best Art experience to your child! and I am constantly working on that! "
Catherine Meese
Art Teacher
Cathy studied Theatre Arts and Design at Wimbledon School of Art and has since worked in many creative disciplines within the entertainment, leisure, and heritage industries. Alongside work she has continued to develop her personal creative practice in painting, drawing and printmaking. She has recently achieved her Qualified Teaching Status having completed training as an Art Teacher in local middle and senior secondary schools.
She is excited to be involved with Artspiration, inspiring and supporting students of all ages on their journey with art, exploring their self-expression and building creative skills through fun and imaginative artistic challenges.
Shilpa Kunder
Art teacher
Shilpa has a Diploma in Painting and Drawing from The London Art College. She is also the Arts Award Adviser for Artspiration.
Nathalie Scott
Art teacher
Nathalie Beauvillain Scott specializes in highly detailed portrait paintings of everyday people in everyday life. Her pictures of everyone from children to celebrities are recognised for their incredible likeness with her reputation for details resulting in her work being displayed in the National Portrait Gallery on many occasions.
.jpg)
Adrienne is educated to a post-graduate level in art history, graduating from the University of Bristol (PGCERT) and the University of Durham (BA Hons). She is a qualified trainer (PTTLS) and practiced facilitator, with over 15 years’ experience in Project Management. She has loved art and creativity ever since she can remember and following the Covid pandemic has taken the opportunity to refocus her career, undertaking a number of creative courses. She is enthusiastic and keen to use her professional skills to help and inspire young children and loves creating arts and crafts activities for her two young children.
Adrienne Hunter,
Art teacher
Areej Abdi
Art Teacher
Areej Abdi is a contemporary, multidisciplinary visual artist and educator. Her journey into teaching started 25 years ago when she gained a Bachelor of Arts in English and Fine Art from Surrey University and subsequently a Postgraduate Certificate in Education to teach secondary children. Her passion to seek out different skills to enhance her practise has led her to residencies in Spain and Japan. Her desire and enthusiasm to share knowledge has led her to support children with special needs and learning difficulties. She believes that every person should have the opportunity to
experiment and create through creative play, by using a variety of materials and techniques.
Sruthi Nair
Art Teacher
Sruthi has a Masters in Art History and has completed courses with London Art College in digital illustration,watercolour and children's illustration.
Guest Artists
Holly Tingley
Still life
Holly Tingley received her MFA in Painting and Drawing at ConcordiaUniversity in Montreal. She has been the recipient ofseveral awards, including The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Award (2009, 2004) and Canada Council for the Arts Project Grants (2010, 2005). Tingley’s work has been exhibited in Canada, USA and the UK.
Amanda Nester
Subject: Botanical Drawing
Amanda is a Fine Artist with a Bachelors of Art in Illustration and over thirty years experience in the Art World.
She's best known for her bold floral pieces and custom illustration work.
Her extensive portfolio also includes architectural and landscape painting and she specialises in both oil painting and watercolours.
Amanda's work has been shown at major galleries in Birmingham and London and she also exhibits locally several times a year.
Gordon Collett
Subject: Trompe l'oeil painting
Gordon Collett is an artist who further established as a muralist in 1995, specialising in the manipulation of apparent space by the use of original, hand-painted architectural trompe l’œil murals.Other notable aspects to Gordon’s work are oil on canvas portraiture, and pen and ink illustration work for Ex Libris designs for which he has an international reputation.
Asya Dudko
Subject: Paper clay Sculpture
Asya was born in Russia. Her lifetime interest has always been in Art and Design. She has a First Class Honours Degree in Interior Design and her main interests are figurative sculptures and relief paintings. Asya’s artworks are held in private collections across Russia and the UK.
Asya loves working with children. She believes that children have an endless imagination and a natural flair for creativity. With guidance, support and inspiration, they can thrive and grow.
Samantha Buckley Subject: Indian Miniature
Samantha trained at The Princes School of Traditional Arts, where she received her Masters of Art with distinction , specializing in Indian miniature painting.
Samantha has been invovled in design work , exhibiting and teaching for over 20 years. She loves to teach her craft to students of all ages and enjoys the interaction and creativity this brings.
Lily Corbet
Subject: Egg Tempera
Lily Corbett is a painter who studied life drawing and painting with the visionary artist Cecil Collins from 1976 until 1989 and continues to teach his methods.. She completed her MA at The Prince's School of Traditional Arts, London in 2002 and has taught traditional painting techniques since 2003.
Mahrukh Bashir
Subject: Islamic Art
Mahrukh Bashir was awarded a distinction for her work during her Masters degree from the Prince’s foundation school of traditional arts, which then led her to be offered an apprenticeship to classically study the art of Islamic manuscript illumination under a master in Turkey. Her work has been exhibited locally and internationally, and has been acquired for private and royal collections. She continues to research and works on various private and community projects.
Joel Wareing
Subject: Life Drawing
Joel Wareing is a practising artist and teacher based in Berkshire. He holds a M.A. in Fine Art from the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, Surrey.