Art Portfolio Development

Art Portfolio Development Matthew Mahler is a teaching artist serving New York City. Specializing in one-to-one art tutoring

Unsolicited reviews are always the best kind...I've spent the past two weeks working with an amazing group of hard worki...
08/10/2023

Unsolicited reviews are always the best kind...
I've spent the past two weeks working with an amazing group of hard working and talented NYC rising 8th graders, helping them build their HS portfolios. To say the days are rigorous would be an understatement. We ask these kids to draw for 3.5 hours in class and send them home with another 2-4 hours with of homework, but the benefits are incredible..
Opening this email at the end of my day is really what it's all about. The money is important, but the fulfillment I get from coaching young people is what it's really about. Thanks for the note Linda!
"Hi, Matt-

I'm so glad to have your contact information from Monday's note....

I would like to sincerely thank you (and Anna and Ethan, too, of course!) for your work with Henry. It is my impression from talking with him over the course of the program that he really connects with you and greatly respects your feedback and guidance. It certainly shows in his work.....! I am truly blown away at the progress he has made in such a short time. So, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU from one appreciative mom.

Warmest regards,

Linda"

Art Camp: Day 6Today campers finished up their expressive self portraits in oil pastel. They continued building upon the...
07/05/2023

Art Camp: Day 6
Today campers finished up their expressive self portraits in oil pastel. They continued building upon their knowledge of facial anatomy and proportion before adding inventive color and backgrounds. Here is the work of two campers, ages 12 and 10 respectfully.








It was a busy portfolio building season, but the results are and and we couldn't be more proud.I worked 1:1 with a handf...
03/13/2023

It was a busy portfolio building season, but the results are and and we couldn't be more proud.
I worked 1:1 with a handful of super dedicated 8th graders and they were all accepted to their top choices of High School for September '23. 👏 👏 👏
I couldn't be more proud of all my students and know they are on track to do exciting things in their years to come.
If you're unaware, NYC students can choose to apply and attend a specialized arts high school; an incredible opportunity for creatively driven young people to immerse themselves in a community of like-minded peers.
The application process is rigorous and requires a great deal of focus and dedication, but the pay off seems to be worth it. Every student I've worked with RAVES about their high school experiences once they're in.
I'll be posting some work by accepted students over the next few days.
Please dont hesitate to reach out if you or anyone you know is interested in attending an arts H.S. I have developed a susinct program designed to guarantee improvement on any young artist's skills and I'd love to coach you along.
Here's Mika's fantastic portfolio. Accepted to FIORELLO H. LAGUARDIA HIGH SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ART AND PERFORMING ARTS. Congratulations Mika!!! 🎊

A well balanced High School portfolio should demonstrate a basic understanding of the elements of design with emphasis o...
12/02/2020

A well balanced High School portfolio should demonstrate a basic understanding of the elements of design with emphasis on line, color, and value.
Lina's portfolio was strong before we started working together, but is even more well rounded after the addition of this cross hatched still life drawing. I pride myself in meeting each student where they are guaranteeing they become a more "complete" artist and Lina is no exception.
Stay tuned for more updates on Lina's progress!








Meet new artist Josh.Josh is a self taught artist who's been making abstract paintings on his own for the last few year...
12/02/2020

Meet new artist Josh.
Josh is a self taught artist who's been making abstract paintings on his own for the last few years. He came to me interested in taking his work to the next level, a challenge I enthusiastically accepted.
Regardless of an artist's level of practice, it's important for them to know the rules before they can break them. We spent our first session discussing the elements and principles of art before I sent Josh out to make his own work.
Prolific in his production, Josh embraced the challenge of his first homework assignment and hit the ground running at a blistering pace.
I don't usually have to ask students to slow down, but this guy is different; I've got my work cut out for me and I like it.







We had a BLAST leading Cathleen and Istvan through a Location Painting Experience yesterday in Central Park!Art Portfoli...
09/20/2020

We had a BLAST leading Cathleen and Istvan through a Location Painting Experience yesterday in Central Park!
Art Portfolio Development provided all materials and guided these two self proclaimed "non-artists" through two hours of expressive landscape painting...and they turned out FANTASTIC! Great work Cathleen and Istvan and we hope to have you back again soon.
Now's a great time if year to soak up the final days of mild weather and sunshine by adding a guided painting experience to your calendar. Choose your location and length of time and I'll take care of the rest. Reach out and find out how you can get started today.






"Mango"LyndonGrade 8Colored Pencil on Paper.Here's another great example of an object drawn with colored pencil. I love ...
07/27/2020

"Mango"
Lyndon
Grade 8
Colored Pencil on Paper.
Here's another great example of an object drawn with colored pencil. I love the way Lyndon accesses color in his drawings and am super proud of his progress.








SKETCHBOOKSKeeping a sketchbook is a fundamental and valuable part of a young artist's journey. It can be as casual or d...
07/23/2020

SKETCHBOOKS
Keeping a sketchbook is a fundamental and valuable part of a young artist's journey. It can be as casual or developed as one needs it to be. I suggest filling it with quick drawings, notes, ideas, ephemera, literally anything that contributes to your creative process. Drawings from observation and one's imagination is perfect for a sketchbook. Try not to be discouraged with your process and just keep looking closer. You never know when old sketchbook pages might come in handy with a new project.
Here are two recent pages from Gemma's sketchbook. As a rising senior, Gemma has spent many years developing her drawing skills, but continues to look deeper and improve. Her pages, once filled with basic ideas and compositions now form collections of visual thoughts demonstrating nuance and sophisticated design.
Just look around. Chances are, you're probably surounded by potential sketchbook content without even knowing it. Ideas for sketchbook pages are boundless, but can include...self portraits, objects/still life, pets, hands, landscape/location drawing etc.If you can see it, YOU SHOULD DRAW IT!
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Meet Ryan, Art Portfolio Development's newest recruit! A freshmean at Ringling College of Art + Design, Ryan came to me ...
05/21/2020

Meet Ryan, Art Portfolio Development's newest recruit! A freshmean at Ringling College of Art + Design, Ryan came to me looking for some help with an intro to illustration course, something I know just enough about to help him through the rest of the semester. .
Ryan, a Virtual Reality major needed some help working on expressive portraits during this session. As you know, no NBA commentator has more of an expressive face than ! (Sorry Charles). Meeting twice a week remotely, our remote sessions consisted of breaking down course assignments to make the rather dense information more digestible while also demonstrating processes to ensure Ryan's success. .
If you or somone you know is looking for guidance through course work, no matter the level, or even having trouble developing a high school or college portfolio, Art Portfolio Development is here to help! Reach out today and learn to un-lock your creative voice with virtual art lessons. .








Lyndon finished his expressive self portrait!Lyndon's process started with a self portait in contour line. Working from ...
05/08/2020

Lyndon finished his expressive self portrait!
Lyndon's process started with a self portait in contour line. Working from observation, we looked closely using symmetey to capture accurate proportion of his facial features.
After completing his drawing in contour we worked with oil pastel to make an "expressive" version. Taking color cues from Andre Durain's portrait of Henri Matisse, Lyndon carefully crafted his own version of himself. As always, I worked along side (remotely) modelling my own process as he skillfully added exagerated color to his own.
This is a great project for any middle or high school student interested in developing their color mixing skills while also working from observation. The rigour of working from observation balances nicely with the open endedness of adding expressive color. Lyndon's confidence grew immensely and so can yours.
Now's an opportune time to consider taking your work or the work of your budding artist to the next level. With remote options available, anyone can delve deeper and begin to realize the results they're looking for. Contact today.








I'm very happy to share one of Gemma's most recent still life paintings. She's been collecting various ephemera from gif...
04/08/2020

I'm very happy to share one of Gemma's most recent still life paintings. She's been collecting various ephemera from gift shops and thrift shops for the last ten years, accumulating them in her bedroom, and ultimately creating an of sorts. Upon learning of her collection, I encouraged her to take some photographs of which she's been methodically working from to create quirky paintings in her series.
As many of you know, I've been working with Gemma, now 16, for a decade and have watched her art skills and commitments manifest into something quite authentically all "her own". It's truly been enjoyable and I know she is destined for big things even if she does decide to shelve her paint brushes for another creative pursuit.
While my working relationship with her is unique, her success is quite attainable. If you or somone you know is looking for guidance on developing a high school or college portfolio, or you find yourself with more creative time on your hands than usual, now's a great time to get started. Reach out today and learn to un-lock your creative voice with virtual art lessons. pal








Hi Facebook friends. I've been working one-to-one with local aspiring artists for years and have recently added an On-Li...
04/06/2020

Hi Facebook friends. I've been working one-to-one with local aspiring artists for years and have recently added an On-Line Tutoring option to my packages. Whether you or someone you know is planning to apply to a specialized Arts High School or College in the fall, or just have a little extra time on your hands and are ready to tackle that creative project you've been shelving for years, now's the time to reach out. Let me help you develop a personalized plan and start to see the creative success you've been looking for. Contact me today and let's get started.

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