Art & Design Mentoring


I have spent the last few years guiding students and practitioners towards their own best processes and clearest priorities.

I find it imperative to leave my community and industry better than I found it. We can develop a culture wherein people are empowered to develop themselves through art, theater and dance.
I mentor to do this as directly as possible: I help people find their personal best, and then we develop paths into work, practice, and results from there.





“One of the things I’m really grateful for this year is definitely you mentoring S. I can’t tell you what a difference it has made. She has grown so much in just the few months that she has been working with you. So much more confident with her work and sharing it with us. She actually gets excited to show us stuff! I love that she is also getting to experience new techniques and mediums.

She loves trying all these new things with you!”

Diana P.
Winter 2020



My Mentoring Approach for College-Bound Students

Each student is my future peer. I act accordingly.

I begin the process twelve months out from application season, evaluating the work the student has done while developing a trusting rapport. I make sure to address the parents’ concerns as well–a future in art or design should become part of the family conversation!

College Spreadsheets: I help the student as they research the schools they want to explore. We talk A LOT to help them hone in on the selection of schools they really want to pursue. Essay Prep: We go over the essays several times, working to develop an authentic voice for each writing. Portfolio Development: I teach the students how to take photos of their work, and then we develop our critique and articulation of the portfolio.

I want the student to trust their choices. I model criteria development and then bring every discussion around to help my mentee speak with more and more confidence of their choices. It is imperative that each person learns to develop their own priorities.

**Self Portrait from School** The student had a lot of developed skill, but was taught to draw from photos. They still had a lot of stylization imposed over a growing awareness of anatomy, and they were obviously working to go farther. We developed exercises to address specific gaps. The student was such a champ! We talked out what they had and had not done, what they wanted to learn, and then I gave exercises to address that specific gap. Progress! I took apart the human face and gave the student a series of lessons to complete on their own time, culminating in a long draw self portrait. They then came over to my house to do several short draws to get over any fear, and the progress soon became undeniable! Maturity and confidence! The student went on to produce better and better self portraits with me and in school. The reliance upon photos was broken–the student could use them as references but had far more control over their line.



Portfolio Enrichment

I have combined general college application prep with full-on art training–with the student pictured below, we  explored several media and projects that would not be covered in school. The artist successfully entered RISD in Fall 2022.





Mentoring Adults

I mentor adults pursuing advanced degrees and/or already practicing in their creative field. We meet and talk, we sift through the distractions and tugs of work and life to find their next right step.




Libby Clarke / Studio
Mission
I make things and teach people to change the world for the better.
Let’s Change the World
If you also strive to give this world your best effort, let’s work together. Reach Out