A few years ago...
…I began to offer short mentor meetings to each participant as part of my workshops and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Now, after years of doing this, many participants express that this meeting was life changing and has enabled them to move forward in their practice to accomplish things they never thought they could.
My twenty-plus years as a professional artist, university professor and art workshop instructor has allowed me to work with artists at all career levels and to see firsthand the many struggles artists face. My strengths lie in listening, organizing and establishing a program for each individual that allows for both creative practice and balance in life.
If you find yourself struggling to find this balance, in need of another voice in the studio, stuck in a studio rut or any other issue so many artists face, please read on to see what I can offer you as your mentor.
I look forward to hearing your story.
Artist Mentor Services
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(E-mail Only) $150
Open to beginning to advanced artists working in all disciplines, this service includes a formal written critique discussing completed work or work in progress. Included is a 2 page Word document sent to you via e-mail, which contains your critique, plus a listing of useful resources specifically designed for you as an artist. Also included is an opportunity to ask two follow-up questions within two weeks of receiving your written critique, via email only and regarding your critique only.
You will receive a review of the work submitted, plus an analysis on the body of work as a whole. Areas of concentration include composition, design and technical issues, the strengths and weaknesses of your work as well as suggestions and helpful resources for improving your work toward your goals.
To get started, send 1-5 jpegs no larger than 1920 pixels on the longest side 300 dpi. Also include a written artists statement and questions or points you would like addressed.
Please allow two weeks for your critique to be sent to you from the time you have emailed your images to me. -
$160 (1hour)*
Open to beginning to advanced artists working in all disciplines, this service includes a formal, one on one critique and professional consultation discussing completed work, work in progress and/or professional artist practice. The personal one on one critique is beneficial to those who may be beginning a new body of work, transitioning to something completely different or just plain stuck in a rut and needing another voice. You will receive a review of the work, plus an analysis on the body of work as a whole. Areas of concentration include composition, design and technical issues, the strengths and weaknesses of your work as well as suggestions and helpful resources for improving your work and/or studio practice.Advice regarding approaching galleries, writing an artists statement or resume, creating a professional portfolio, marketing and expanding your work, or any other professional artist practice topic, may take place with or without a critique.
*Additional Mentoring time is $65/30 minutes
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$350 (2hours)*
Open to beginning to advanced artists working in all disciplines, this service includes all of the Zoom Session consultation services listed above, but takes place in your own studio. This service is beneficial to those who have large work, have difficulty traveling, may not have the means to travel or just prefer to do things like this in person.
Please note that this service is open to those within a 20 mile radius of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additional travel fees may apply for those outside of this locale.
* Additional Mentoring time is $65/30 minutes
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$450 (3hours)*
This package is economical and beneficial to the working artist as it allows for continued discussion over a period of time. The three hour block of time can be spilt into three 1-hour sessions or six 30-minute sessions or any combination of one hour or 30 minute sessions equalling a total of three hours. Open to beginning to advanced artists working in all disciplines, this service includes all of the Zoom Session consultation services listed above.
*Additional Mentoring time is $65/30 minutes
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$75/person (90 minute sessions)
Designed for small groups of 2, 3 or 4 people who would like to share in the cost and discussion of artist mentor sessions.
Open to beginning to advanced artists working in all disciplines, this service includes all of the Zoom Session consultation services listed above.
Please email Lorraine with interest to join a group. Please mention which discussion topic below most interests you and you will then be matched with a group. Please note that it may take up to 1-3 months to match a group for you. If you would like a mentor discussion a bit sooner, please consider an Individual Zoom Session or Package.
Group TopicsCritique
Beneficial to those beginning a new body of work, transitioning to something completely different or just plain stuck in a rut and needing helpful and supportive voices. Discussion includes a review of the work, plus an analysis on the body of work as a whole. Areas of concentration include composition, design and technical issues, the strengths of your work as well as suggestions and helpful resources for improving your work and/or studio practice.Content Building
This discussion includes developing artistic skills and translating them into meaningful studio work. With a focus on fostering confidence, intuition, and artistic growth, participants will engage in a series of structured exercises, reading, writing, group discussion and personal mentorship aimed at deepening their creative process and enriching their studio practice. Discussion will include delving into what your work is about, personal research plans, writing your artist statement, studio time management, developing good studio habits in order to create a cohesive body of work.Sales, Galleries, Promo Discussion includes getting started in the outdoor shows market, self-promotion and selling, approaching galleries, sharpening your artists statement or resume, creating a professional portfolio, marketing and expanding your work, or any other professional artist practice topic.
Paint Technique/Materials This is a more demonstration based discussion designed to target your needs as artists to expand your knowledge of materials and techniques in order to expand on your personal portfolio. My areas of expertise include fiber related materials, alternative/industrial materials, encaustic painting/mixed media/monotype, watercolor inks, gouache, watercolor, acrylic, collage and mixed media.
Other
Any other suggestion for discussion not covered on this list. Please feel free to contact me with a discussion topic and I’ll work to set up up a group for you!
Testimonials
Tiffany Bociek, California
I had been following Lorraine Glessner for years and I knew her work, so when she posted an online workshop, I jumped at the chance, as I had been wanting to take a course from her for a while now. It was a 4-week course and after the course she offered a short one-on-one call for any student that was interested. I was definitely interested.
I had a solo exhibition coming up and found myself stuck. I knew I needed to talk to someone to move forward in my work. After the first short session, I scheduled another one and then another one–– which was the best decisions I ever made. With Lorraine’s guidance and help she pulled me out of a place of feeling stuck and challenged me to make leaps and bounds to achieve my goals. She listened and saw where I needed support; she suggested readings, diving into other artist’s work, journaling, and spending more time in my sketchbook. Her encouragement to continue to move forward fanned the flame to work harder and my work shifted as I gained insight into my “Why” and my visual language; ultimately building a body of work I am so proud of. She directed me through the in’s and out’s of what it means to be a working professional artist. It has been such and honor and a privilege to work with Lorraine each month. I could not say “Thank you” enough for all that she has done for me.
Dianna Woolley, Washington
“We were strangers —
In October 2014 after several years of exhibiting my abstract art, I decided to seek an outside voice, a neutral eye, an experienced teacher and artist’s critique of my work. It was a rather tedious online process of searching for that person’s voice but to this day, I value the eye, judgment, critique and advice that made a tremendous shift in the work I was producing in my studio. The voice was that of Lorraine Glessner.
Lorraine’s straight forward, critically unbiased, and neutral observation of the work I submitted for review was nothing short of life changing for my practice. Reviewing a half dozen pieces online, my statement, and what I sought from her, the critique she produced was and continues to be a valuable tool in my practice.
The critique, of course, centered upon the visuals I gave her, yet went further than mere observation. Lorraine suggested books, studies, artists, and history that she felt would enhance and benefit my practice. I treasure those suggestions and continue to follow her advice with an intensive study of current and historic references leading up to today’s visual arts and artists.
Lorraine and I are no longer strangers as I’ve followed her work and career online and in person at several conferences and workshops. With a recent face to face opportunity, she offered me additional inspiration and food for thought to continue the work and direction that she inspired through her critical appraisal of it in 2014.”
Jennifer McCormick, North Carolina
If you are an artist working in partial isolation-- as most of us are, you know you need constructive, intelligent feedback. While we can gain insight through a critique group, sometimes it’s necessary to do more.
I met Lorraine in a workshop a few years ago- I took her class specifically because her style is very different than mine. She impressed me as a well prepared teacher and artist with excellent mastery of encaustic. I also found her to be very generous with information about technique. Afterwards, I discovered her blog and gained more confidence in my own exploration of color with her nuanced descriptions of paint. So, when I saw that she offered private sessions for feedback, I jumped at the chance.
I’ve just completed my first one hour session with Lorraine via Facetime. The conversation was very constructive because she honored our time by doing hours of examination of my website and researching the questions I had sent her in advance. I found it to be the most helpful and insightful conversation about my work in years. She immediately called me on the areas I knew were weak and provided some great suggestions. She saw the core of my work and was able to focus on and discuss the authentic content. She was able to understand my ideas for next steps and encouraged me. I cannot recommend her more highly. She has vision, clarity of thought and a true talent for teaching. If you want to know more about encaustic let her voice guide you.