Special Studies

Wednesday AM Class

  • In This Class, You'll Learn:

    In this class, learn to add texture and meaning in our art using ephemeral, handmade papers, and found materials while embracing the Wabi-Sabi ideology.


    Imperfection and accidents are something to be celebrated, not avoided. Incorporating more play and freedom into our process while honoring objects that get a ‘second life.’


    The mixed media paintings we create will reflect the essence of the natural world—celebrating the raw, the weathered, and the authentically aged. We will allow ourselves to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. Not pass by things easily overlooked.


    Artists will be challenged to break free from a focus on precision. There’s a special freedom in Wabi-Sabi's abstract aesthetic. It is a forgiving approach that celebrates so-called mistakes and fosters an experimental spirit, encouraging artists to build up and tear back with abandon.


    This is about art that values the authentic and aged over the new and perfect—often featuring muted, earthy colors, irregular shapes, and asymmetry.


    Students will walk away with a set of four 12x12 mixed media paintings to cherish.

  • Supply List for Students to Bring:

    This is a studio class and students will be using their supplies on the first week.


    • Four 12x12 cradled wood panels
    • Acrylic brushes of all sizes and paint colors you already have
    • Acrylic inks in a couple colors (earth tones preferred)
    • Glazing Liquid
    • Soft Gel or Matte Medium
    • Gesso, white
    • Neocolonial II crayons in a couple colors (neutrals are versatile)
    • Distress Oxide stamp ink pad (just one in black or an earth tone color)
    • Silicone tools (like bowl scrapers and color shapers)
    • Small sea sponge
    • Sanding block, fine grain (like 180 or 200)
    • Palette knife
    • Palette paper
    • Quality paper towels


    A $20 Materials Fee paid directly to the Instructor on Week 1 for providing additional supplies.

  • WED AM Class Info:

    • Next session: January 7 - February 4
    • Instructor: Kristen Guest
    • Wednesdays, 10:30am-1:30pm
    • Cost $199 (5 classes)
    • Max 16 students
    • Level: 3 (proficient)
    • Age level: adult (18 & up)
    • Parking Info

  • Who Should Take This Class:

    • those who want to learn new perspectives from different teachers
    • those who want to explore Art History
    • those who want to deep dive into a specific art movement or style or subject matter
    • those who want to try something new and fresh

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About the Instructor

Kristen Guest

Kristen is an award-winning and published full-time artist and art instructor in Southern California. She graduated from art school at Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Art Education, that focused on painting, book arts and printmaking, and has been teaching realism painting since 2004 and abstract painting since 2018.

Kristen currently works in three mediums: acrylic, oil/cold wax, and colored pencil. She lives in Poway, CA where she works out of her home studio.

Her work is currently represented through Janssen Artspace in Palm Springs CA, Libby Silvia Artstyle in Boston MA, Liza Pruitt in Richmond VA, and Sorelle Gallery in Westport CT.

Kristen’s work has been on exhibit with Ashton Gallery in San Diego CA, The Athenaeum Arts & Music Library in San Diego CA, Sandstone Gallery in Laguna Beach CA, Huntington Beach Art Center in Huntington Beach CA, Borrego Art Institute in Borrego Springs CA, Arc Gallery in San Francisco CA, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center in Port Angeles WA, Jen Tough Gallery in Santa Fe NM, Woman Made Gallery in Chicago IL, JAG Gallery in Key West FL, High Point Market in High Point NC, and Saatchi's The Other Art Fair in Los Angeles.

Instructor Website

About the Instructor

Robin Sanford Roberts

Robin Sanford Roberts is an artist and theatrical scenic designer working in models and mixed media. She makes art in studio #5 at Art on 30th. She has designed scenery for multiple theatres including the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Repertory, Denver Center Theatre Company, Portland Center Stage and Broadway.

She holds a degree in Architecture from LSU and a MFA in Scenic Design from UCSD. She also studied at the Ecole Des Beaux Arts, Fontainebleau and at Sir John Cass School of Art, London Polytechnic. Robin teaches and designs scenery for the undergraduate theatre department at USD.

“I have an obsession with old books and other ephemera. The fragments and bits of pieces come together to make a new piece. I enjoy working with pieces from the past that have a history of a previous life.”

Instructor Website

About the Instructor

Shirin Nikoukari

I started painting when I was young. I moved to the United States in my 20's and mix my Persian culture with my abstract inspirations. The pomegranate is a sacred symbol for me and often shows in my work as well as Persian Calligraphy. As I have evolved, my work has become more abstract.​

Instructor Website

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