“Ask our teachers”

We asked our teachers 7 questions about their creativity and art, include asking them to design a t-shirt for Mike to wear in the class (just for fun).

Ako Lamble iPad Art Northshore School of Art

Ask Our Teacher – Ako Lamble (iPad Art)

“I suppose what I do on my creative works has been based on “what if” spirit and editing (mixing/collaging) methods.”

iPad Art by Ako Lamble / Procreate app
The gif animation was created with Corel Painter.

Name: Ako Lamble
Teaching at NSA: iPad Art Weekly Classes / iPad Art Workshops
Joined NSA since: 2002

NSA: What doodle / drawing / painting did you do in your early life that you were the most proud of? How old were you?

AKO: I suppose that the comic manga book I made when I was around 9-10 yo was the one I was proud of. I wrote a story about me and my best girl friend who lived a few doors away, it was a success story of us becoming a duo pop star who could sing and dance (that’s what I desperately wanted to do those days). It was all hand made and approximately 15 pages long. I wish I kept it but who knows where it is now.

Ako (left) and her childhood best friend Naomi (right), both are 13yo.

Ako made a comic manga book inspired by the Pinklady’s comic book (above).

NSA: Have you been always artistic / creative? if so, in what way?

AKO: “WHAT IF…?” has been always the top phrase in my dictionary. Unlike Mike as a single minded artist since he was young, I had too many minds (and still do)… I was a doodler, an obsessive letter writer, a member of choir, trained to be an announcer for 6 years in the school broadcasting club (which was a big thing to me)… Everybody around me expected that I would be an announcer (in Japan) but I went to collage to learn Photography because I wanted to make a film (oh dear…).

Make a long story short, learning Photography (before the digital photography era) has taught me “how to see” which helped me a lot when I drew and painted afterwords. I still remember the words from the “mastering editing” book which I read in my college days, it said “there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9), so there is no point to be striving to create “originals” because there is no such thing, what you can do is mixing them, collaging them or editing them nicely” I thought that was absolutely true and instantly took off my unnecessary pressure which was “i have to create “originals” to impress people”, rather I enjoyed my experiments. I still do the same. So I suppose what I do on my creative works has been based on “what if” spirit and editing (mixing/collaging) methods.

Broadcasting was a big thing to Ako (17yo)

AKO: I fell in love with the felting a few years back, making scarves and small items like book marks, coasters, Jewellery … I made my original brand called “woolhug” and sell them on the net and the shop but it’s getting slow because I put more my time on iPad Art these days, I am not going to give up my felting which can satisfy my needs to do 3D craft.

"Reading Mate" felted bookmarks by Ako Lamble

“Reading Mate” (felted bookmarks) – designed and felted by Ako Lamble.
The eyes popped out when the book is closed and it can sit because of the wire in the body.

The felted coasters – designed and felted by Ako Lamble.
Fried egg, Bacon, Tomato and Swiss cheese

The felted scarf – designed and felted by Ako Lamble.
One of her customers asked Ako to make this when she saw the egg and bacon coasters.
This was a gift for her friend who loves bacon and egg.

Ako was selling her felted products at the Glebe Markets.

NSA: What made you join NSA? Where did you hear/find about NSA?

AKO: I originally joined Mike’s cartooning class at Mosman evening college and he introduced me to his art school, I joined the following year. It was my first experience painting with oil paints which I enjoyed very much. I started with a simple flower then after a few paintings I painted a cat quite well that led me to paint pet portraits and human portraits.

Ako’s very first oil painting at NSA.

The oil painting of a cat which encouraged Ako to paint pet portraits

“Berney” oils, commissioned work.

“Henry plays at the beach” Oils

“Bella and Silver” Pastels, commissioned work.

“Emi” Oils

“Twins” Oils

NSA: If you are allowed to have any famous painting in the world on your wall, what would it be and Why?

AKO: I would love to have “The Ball” by Félix Vallotton on my wall if you ask me now, it might be different another time. I did not know the artist but when I saw his painting in the exhibition “Masterpieces From Paris” at NGA in 2010, I instantly fell in love with it. It was not a huge painting but I was drawn to it very much. I like the composition and setting, it tells a story. I can look at the painting all day long and wonder how the story develops, the child chasing a ball reminds me of “Alice in Wonderland” and the ladies in the distance reminds me of a private conversation between Anna Karenina and her niece, Kitty.

“The Ball” by Félix Vallotton

NSA: What creative project are you working on right now and what would you like to achieve with your art within the next year?

AKO: To establish the iPad Art Classes / Workshops involves a large part of my creative mind, I understand so many people are skeptical about iPad Art because it’s new and digital. My creativity comes in to “show and tell” in the way people can easily relate to it and see the potential as a powerful art tool which they can use straight away.

Also I’m responsible for the art school’s website and organising blog articles, Mike and I constantly talk about how we can grow our art community and how we can interact with each other. The interview “Ask Our Students” is the most fun job for me to do. I enjoy knowing each one’s story about their creativity, it’s so inspiring. This will be an ongoing project.

To create my own iPad Art itself doesn’t need much of my energy, my time or even my creative mind, as I said I still have too many minds to do things and iPad serves a person like me very well. It can be my sketch book, art journal, art references, canvas to paint on while listening to music or I can even read something to feed my spirituality… wonderful!

NSA: why do you teach art, or what do you get out of it?

AKO: I teach iPad Art because I would like to encourage and inspire those who gave up their art due to difficulties in life to pick up their art again. I constantly have a lack of energy and limited time to do creative things, so without the iPad I couldn’t pick up my painting again. It is my pleasure to share my knowledge and experiences with others, in return I also learn and get inspired by them.

NSA: Finally, would you design a T-shirt for Mike to wear in the class?

mike lamble face Mike said “Darling, your breath isn’t too good, I think you ate too much curry last night, will you please take your toung out of my ear?…….. Oh hello Henry!”

ENROL NOW!

Weekly Classes for iPad Art (for All Levels)

10am – 12pm TUESDAY
1pm – 3pm TUESDAY
$330 for Term (10wks) / $35 for Casual

The weekly classes for iPad Art is going very well. Once you decided to start drawing with your iPad, we believe that you might have many questions to be answered and need instructions on a weekly bases, so come to the class with your well-charged-iPad, have fun and make your iPad a powerful art tool which you won’t want to be without!
DOWNLOAD ENROLMENT FORM

Go to iPad Art Weekly Class Page >>

Henry is allowed to lick the cup if it’s a Chai Late.

Ask Our Teachers – Hannah Klupiec

“I teach art because I have a love of communicating an idea and representing it in a visual form.”

Name: Hannah Klupiec
Teaching in : Beginners Painting and Drawing (Wednesday 7-9pm)
Joined NSA since: around 2004

NSA: What doodle / drawing / painting did you do in your early life that you were the most proud of? How old were you?

HANNAH: Trying to think back it was a self portrait I did using a mirror in 5th grade at school. I still have it! It was in colour pencil and at the time I was attending a portrait painting class at the local YMCA. I think I had had enough of painting and the mess so I did a drawing of me in my green and white school uniform. My eyes look are a bit too wide and bright…like I had seen a great shining light or drug of some sort!

The black texta drawing of butterfly (highly patterned) drawn by Hannah when she was 7yo.

NSA: Have you been always artistic / creative? if so, in what way?

HANNAH: I have always enjoyed doing artistic things. From an early age I used to make all of my own cards. So much so my parents have kept all of them. There were Easter, anniversary cards, birthday and Christmas cards to make. I also enjoyed doodling patterns and writing my name in fancy fonts everywhere on any bit of paper and on the chalk boards my father installed along the wall of the garage. It did help that my mother was artistic also and willing to encourage me in that direction.

“Hannah(right) and her artistic mum (left) in 1992

NSA: What made you join NSA? Where did you hear/find about NSA?

HANNAH: I saw a job in the paper for a Children’s art teacher needed at a small art school in Spit Junction. I went for the job and started teaching children after my other education job once a week and doing the holiday workshops.

NSA: If you are allowed to have any famous painting in the world on your wall, what would it be and Why?

HANNAH: There are a few..no favourites. I love Marc Chagall‘s “I and the Village” for the vitality of colour, Ingres “The Bather of Valpincon” for its beautiful rendering of the figure and composition and any of Tim Maguire’s magnificent magnified huge flower paintings. I enjoy also Man Ray‘s photographs for their dramatic viewpoints.

“I and the village” by Marc Chagall

NSA: What are you working on in the class right now and what would you like to achieve with your art within a year?

HANNAH: My creative activities extend to helping my high school students resolve their own artworks and working on my own little art journals using the IPad.

Created with her iPad and Procreate app

Created with her iPad, Procreate app and Snapseed app

Created with her iPad and Brushes app

Created with her iPad, Bamboo app, Procreate app and Snapseed app

NSA: why do you teach art, and what do you get out of it?

HANNAH: I teach art because I have a love of communicating an idea and representing it in a visual form. I enjoy the dimension and insight it brings to my life and the ability to see past the literal and obvious to the detail and beauty of even the most banal of subjects. It is a way of verbalising something in a visual manner.

NSA: Finally, would you design a T-shirt for Mike to wear in the class?

HANNAH: I created it with my iPad and Doodoo lite app.

mike_face Mike said “When I asked Hannah to join the art school she was head and shoulders above the other applicants. Love her artwork and on the many occasions we have worked together she is the perfect complement in the the class room, each teacher has their own way of working but there are fundamental truths that never change when teaching art. Often students who join me from other colleges complain the teachers “contradict each other” which leaves them confused and unsure,not so here.
In the ten years we have worked together all my students appreciate and understand the help and guidance Hannah gives, so I know they are in good hands.”

Ako Lamble Ako said “Hannah recently became one of my fellow iPad Artists (hope more to join us). I’m so thrilled about it, I asked her to become one of our regular blog contributors and she will share her iPad Art with her thoughts of being a busy working mum and how she keeps up her creativity. I believe her art and words will encourage and inspire those who are in a similar situation. Let’s look forward to it!”

Drawing and Painting for Absolute Beginners

Monday Afternoon: 12pm noon – 3pm
Wednesday Evening: 7pm – 9pm
Thursday Morning: 9.30am – 12.30pm

For all those who doubt that they have a single creative bone in their body! Let us prove you wrong! Everybody has the ability to draw and paint. All you need is the enthusiasm to do so. We uncover the tricks of the trade through simple exercises that will teach you to see like an artist. Get your lines right, get your tone right, understand how perspective and scale works. Learn how to use colour pencil and be introduced to oil painting. Discover skills you never thought you had in our fun and relaxed environment!
Please feel free to ask us if you have any questions about the class. Email: info[at]art-art.com.au / Phone: +61 (0)2 9968 1233 / Download Enrolment form

Ask Our Teacher – Stephen Dernocoure (Life Drawing Monday 7-9pm)

Name: Stephen Dernocoure
Teaching at NSA: Life drawing class (Monday 7-9pm)
Joined NSA since: 2008

NSA: What doodle / drawing / painting did you do in your early life that you were the most proud of? How old were you?
STEPHEN: Speaking truthfully I cannot think about art in this context. I am more desirous of reflecting on my development as moments observed, threaded upon a string of experience and no single drawing holds dominion over my desire to look, feel and wonder.

NSA: Have you been always artistic / creative? if so, in what way?
STEPHEN: Perhaps our being artistic and creative is really a way of life and I am inclined to look for these qualities in many areas. Survival as an artist in daily life is certainly a creative proposition as is our quest to distill feelings and ideas out of paint, words or film.

NSA: What made you join NSA? Where did you hear/find about NSA?
STEPHEN: I became a teacher and a learner at NSA simply because Mike offered me the delightful opportunity to be an instructor in life drawing.

NSA: If you are allowed to have any famous painting in the world on your wall, what would it be and Why?
STEPHEN: Again I am not inclined to think of art in this context. The choice would overwhelm me. I prefer to explore the world of art consign the experiences to heart and mind and then give my attention to this strange and immense world that surrounds me, minute by minute.

NSA: What are you working on your creative activities right now and what would you like to achieve with your art within a year?
STEPHEN: When I am asked about my current projects an easy answer is not available because my art is not related to a project theme. However the one single subject that continues to enthral me is our human condition and this can morph into many patterns and processes. My work as an artist in medical contexts provides me with immense fuel for heart, mind and creativity.

NSA: why do you teach art, or what do you get out of it?
STEPHEN: Teaching is always a condition of learning for me. One can reverse this statement and it remains valid. However, love doing is vital the process.

NSA: Finally, would you design a T-shirt for Mike to wear in the class?
STEPHEN: This is from my sketchings and words for Mike.

mike lamble face Mike said “Reading Stephens words was a good reminder why I asked him to join the Northshore School of Art. Many years ago I attended his life drawing class at another college and loved his way of teaching and interaction with his students, being a teacher myself for more than twenty years I was acutely aware of this, and always wanting the best for my students. decided to share my life drawing class with Stephen I knew we would complement each others way of teaching,broaden my students experience perception and appreciation of art in general Life Drawing in particular. ”

ako lamble face Ako said “I thought I should say something about Stephen. I am responsible for those 7questions to ask our students and teachers but I realised that Stephen had so many things to say which is so sophisticated and doesn’t fit in the questions I prepared. Damn! Don’t worry our dear readers, I asked Stephen to become a regular contributor to our blog, so you will see his sketches, art and words that is interesting and inspiring. I particularly adore his sketching habit. He always carries his sketch book and pen and draws people, landscapes and so forth. I believe that all of us should adapt this habit to be a better artist. Said enough, will show you the teaser sketches and words of Stephen.”

It is often asked when did you first start to draw? The answer given is so often unsatisfying.
Perhaps the question could be, when did drawing first see you?
Ah! I can answer that. It was in the luminous line drawn by a snail and in the lines on my fathers darker face drawn by the stylus of time.
We can draw when we are not drawing, that is when drawing first sees us.

– Stephen Dernocoure

Life Drawing Class for All Levels

7 – 9pm Mondays
$275 per Term (10wks)
$35 per Casual Class

Why don’t you join our Monday evening life drawing class? If you are not sure, try it out as casual first. Please feel free to ask us if you have any questions about the life drawing class. Email: info[at]art-art.com.au / Phone: +61 (0)2 9968 1233 / Download Enrolment form