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Express It Art

express it art

My name is Denise Thompson/Coutu. I’ve been teaching art classes and giving parties for over 10 years. I love working with kids. I’m a mom, and have also had my own daycare. I also come from a family of teachers. I get great satisfaction from seeing my students grow, both in their skill level and their understanding of the arts. I grew up in Hudson, NH and studied mainly in Boston. My educational experience includes a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Tufts University; a Fine Arts Diploma from the Museum School in Boston (5 yrs), and Certificates in Graphic Design and Web Design from schools in Manchester, NH. I have been a graphic design professional for over 18 years. I worked in the art department in MA working with digital files and preparing them for press. I have also worked in the theatre industry in Boston, which was fun and exciting. My other professional skills include scenic painting, oil painting and drawing, sign making, jewelry making, clay work, mosaic making, sewing and cake decorating. I would love to teach anyone who is interested in learning the skills to make beautiful works of art. I’m now offering After School Care Program, Summer Classes, art classes and private birthdays or other party options. Please contact me to discuss dates you’d like to plan an event. If you need a referral, please see my Express It Art Facebook pages’ testimonials or ask the current or past three charges of the Hudson School Board, who all know me as a friend and as a parent of past students. I also know many wonderful teachers and daycare owners in the Hudson area, and would be happy to put you in touch with them for a reference. Gift certificates are also available if you would like to give a gift. And if you’d like to have a private party of friends, just message me to get that arranged.

Alison Burchert.

alison burchert.

Essex

Encouraged as a small child by an artistic mother, I always sketched family members and pets, being able to capture a good likeness. From school through to college, my ability to draw became apparent and was recognised throughout my home town of Colchester in Essex. I had taken to pastels after years of painting in watercolour. The transition happened when working on a portrait….. "With watercolours I couldn't keep the smooth texture of the skin and the more I worked at it, the rougher the 'skin' got. Frustrated, I picked up a box of pastels that I'd had from college and almost closed my eyes as I chalked over the face I'd been working on for hours, cringing with the fear of having to throw the whole picture in the bin…. I smudged it over with my finger. The result was amazingly smooth and definitely 'skin' like. I put away the watercolours and invested in many shades of quality pastels". In 1997 and keen to enter into the art world, I offered my services to organisations to produce promotional portraits which came with good media coverage and helped my business catapult within its first year. I was introduced to various artists and teachers and was offered a place to work alongside Royal portrait artist Richard Stone who had admired my work through the local press. In 2003 I took up teaching art within local clubs and private classes, holding exhibitions and encouraging 11 to 16 year olds to develop their artistic talents with workshops using different mediums. From 2008, I had the immense pleasure of working with Colchester Zoo in Essex when I became their Artist in Residence. From holding art classes in the Zoo and working with children during the school holidays to portray their favourite animals, one of my greatest adventures was to work closely with the Zoo's great managerial team on their 'Stand Tall' project for their 50th anniversary. This saw many local artists give up their time to design and create personal works of art on 2.5m giraffe sculptures. These were then displayed around Colchester and even took a tour to London's South Bank before they came back to the Zoo for auction. It was with much excitement to see one of my giraffes (Big Catrina) sell to the highest bidder at £6800. Developing very unique drawing skills, I have helped students from all over the world with many varying art abilities to accomplish their artistic dreams. With a limited palette of chalks, and a vast experience in pastel application, my teaching took me to places I hadn't even dreamed of. Constantly moving forward and learning new ways to pass on my skills, I would say that teaching students of all ages is in my blood now. It has become a passion to show others the beauty of this versatile medium.