Technical Art Instruction and Creative  Self-Expression for Students of Any Age


Teaching Artist 
College Counselor
Technical Support Professional
Special Needs

With her expert eye, extensive knowledge of materials and methods, plus decades of experience providing highly individualized instruction, Frances Smokowski inspires and guides students to develop as artists who achieve their aesthetic, technical, academic, or professional objectives.

Frances supports students as they create images that fully express their own unique and empowered vision.
(MFA) Historic and Contemporary Painting, Drawing, Printmaking - New York Academy of Art; Graduate School of Figurative Art, New York City
(MA) Art Therapy - School of the Art Institute, Chicago
(BFA) Fine Art: Painting and Drawing; Minor in Art History - State University College at Buffalo
(BS) Graphic Design - State University College at Buffalo


Teaching artist Frances Smokowski provides fully personalized art lessons for individuals and small groups using online video platforms
Students/Clients may be:
● absolute beginners or returning learners
● gifted or talented students interested in advanced technical training
● art students seeking to develop scholarship-worthy portfolios and winning applications
● professionals seeking an expanded skill-set(s) or guidance on a particular project
● motivated individuals with special needs or disabilities (NOTE: reimbursable self-direction activity support available. )

Benefits from art lessons may include:
● technical facility in chosen media
● strengthened observational skills
● satisfying completion of works
● confident portfolio building
● empowerment, especially in regards to readiness for exhibiting and selling works, if desired

For further information and to book a lesson, contact frances.smokowski@icloud.com or (301) 768-2284
“I'm certain that any motivated student can produce truly beautiful work when matched with a technical approach and materials that suit their temperament and level of dexterity.”
- Frances Smokowski
Teaching
Lesson categories
Drawing
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By learning Old Masters’ and foundational Modern techniques, students expand skills and abilities to craft their own unique vision,
style and message in dry media.
Painting
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Through a broad range of historic and/or contemporary methods, students acquire the skill-sets necessary to create their own unique work with confidence and  proficiency in aqueous and/or oil-based media.
College/Career Counseling and Portfolio Development
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Insightful coaching for program applications and career success in the Visual Arts, Art Education, Art Therapy and Special Education.
Fiber Arts: Weaving, Sewing & Needlework
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Offering best practices for creative expression and fine craftsmanship in fabric, thread or yarns.  For hand work or by machine, functional and aesthetic design principles are introduced, practiced and mastered.
Technical Support for Professional Artists
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Providing generative as well as production-based technical skills to support fine and commercial artists and artisans with existing or proposed special projects.
Special Needs
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Highly personalized lessons for motivated, art-oriented students with special needs and/or disabilities. Lessons break complex processes down into single steps where students experience success at every juncture.