Upcoming Classes

Fall Portrait Class

From Pan Pastel to Oil Portraiture
This four-session weekly class will cover:
portrait mapping and tonal studies using PanPastel, transitioning from drawing to oil painting, and developing a life-like portrait study. Students will work from master works and photo references. Limited to 4 students per session, grouped for teen/young adult or for adults ages 18-99.

Dates: Fall 2026, TBA
Location: Portolano home studio in Maple Lawn, Maryland

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Workshop: Rubens' Lions

Painting Lions from "Daniel in the Lion's Den"
Learn the skills needed to paint wildlife or pet portraits by painting a step-by-step master copy of famous lions from Rubens' painting. Students may use oil or acrylic, but I will be painting in oil. Some painting experience helpful.

Dates: TBA April or May 2027
Location: TBA

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Residency

***Coming late 2027***

Stella Maris Artist Residency is a is a not-for-profit homestay studio program for art students ages 18-35 who are accepted to the National Gallery of Art copiest program but live outside the Washington DC area. It not affiliated or endorsed by the National Gallery of Art but exists to facilitate wider participation in the copyist program for young adults.

The residency is limited to 1-3 artists per year based on accommodations available In my home/studio and may include the following per artist preference:

  • Single or double occupancy bedroom with a shared bathroom and laundry

  • Three modest meals per day and use of the family kitchen

  • Easel space in the home studio (artist provides own materials)

  • Transportation coordination to the National Gallery of Art

  • Guidance from an experienced academic research professional on how to use of The National Gallery of Art Archives and Library for deeper research on a master copy project

  • Advice from a former Smithsonian visitor information specialist on making the most of visits to other DC area museums and private church collections, including the National Gallery of Art, The National Portrait Gallery, The Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, The Phillips Collection, The National Museum of Women in the Arts, The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, The National Cathedral, and others.

  • Optional participation in Sunday worship at several beautiful and historic Catholic sanctuaries in the area

Additionally, the residency may include the following for a per diem fee to cover costs:

  • Coordinated side trips to important collections in New York, Boston, or Philadelphia, based on each artist's specific research and interests.

  • Plein air or hiking in safe groups in the nation's capital, the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, civil war sites, or historic colonial Annapolis on the Chesapeake Bay, with a humanities professor as your personal guide

Opportunities for community service during the stay may include:

  • Guest lessons or teaching assistance for local art students who come to the home studio

  • Helping with development & curation of an NGA copyist traveling exhibit/lecture tour with stops at Churches and parochial schools in Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, and Texas

  • Walking our studio pet, Pippin the Wonder Dog

Fee schedule:

$100 per week double occupancy, all meals included

$25 per diem per person for plein air days or out-of-state side trips: covers gas (if driving) & experienced guide (museum entry fees not included)

Fees may be waived based on financial need or in exchange for weekly community service