Atelier School of Art

One of our favorite things about the studio is seeing students push themselves in new directions, and Lesley’s latest painting is a beautiful example of that. ❤️

This piece is an homage to artist Jan Brown, thoughtfully incorporating a visual quotation into the composition that creates an incredible sense of texture, layering, and intrigue. The bold color palette and overlapping imagery invite you to slow down and keep looking—there’s always something new to discover.

Art has always been a conversation between artists across generations. Through homage, we acknowledge those who inspire us while bringing our own voice, perspective, and experiences to the canvas. It’s such a meaningful way to learn and grow as an artist. Congrats Lesley! 🧑‍🎨

We had such a great time at our plein air outing in Novi this past Saturday!

Between the wooded trails, quiet lakes, and beautiful scenery around every corner, there was no shortage of inspiration. Everyone found something different to paint, and it was so fun to see all of the unique interpretations come to life.

Safe to say... we’ll definitely be back. 😊

If you couldn’t make this one, don’t worry! We plan to return later this summer, and we’d love to have you join us for the next outing.

It’s officially Submission Week!

The countdown to our Summer Student Exhibition is on, which means it’s time to bring in your artwork!

🖼️ Each Atelier student is invited to submit one piece created within the past year.

📋 Please remember: A completed submission form is required for your artwork to be included in the exhibition. Forms can be found in every classroom and on the wall above the water fountains.

✨ Join us for the exhibition on Friday, June 26th from 6:00–9:00 PM as we celebrate the incredible work created by our students. Bring your family and friends—we can’t wait to share this special evening with our Atelier community!

David Hockney died yesterday at 88.

He spent more than 70 years proving one thing: the world is more beautiful when you slow down and really look. Swimming pools. Yorkshire hedgerows. A vase of flowers drawn on an iPad screen.

And in his book Secret Knowledge, he pulled back the curtain on the Old Masters, arguing that great painting has always been built on teachable technique—not magic. That’s something we believe deeply at Atelier: anyone can learn to paint.

Pick up a brush this week. It’s the best tribute there is.

— Atelier School of Art

Sometimes a drawing doesn’t reveal itself all at once—it comes together piece by piece. 🦌🧩

Anne’s beautiful deer drawing is a perfect example of the process, with every carefully observed shape and value fitting together like a puzzle until the whole image emerges. It’s always rewarding to watch the final picture take form.

Created in our Monday 2–5 PM Drawing Class under the instruction of Kristina Smith. ✍️

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Alexandra just finished this incredible acrylic heart painting, and we couldn’t be more proud of the result! ❤️🎨

Alexandra is part of our Teen Studio, which meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30–8:30 PM. It’s the perfect space for young artists to develop their independence while learning new techniques, exploring different mediums, and experimenting with fresh creative ideas in a supportive environment.

Summer is a wonderful time to dive into art, express some creative energy, and try something new. We also offer Youth Studio classes, and all of our programs continue throughout the summer, so there’s plenty of opportunity to join us!

Doug was determined to see this piece through, and his hard work absolutely paid off. The background is beautifully smooth, the lemons are clear and convincing, and the overall level of detail is fantastic. More importantly, this painting is a great example of what can happen when an artist stays committed to the process and keeps pushing forward.

We’re so proud of the progress that he has made, and can’t wait to see what he tackles next.

Congratulations, Doug! 🎨🍋

Have you been looking for an excuse to get outside and paint this summer? 🎨☀️

Our plein air group is heading to Lakeshore Park in Novi on June 13, and we’d love to have you join us! With beautiful lake views, wooded trails, and plenty of inspiring scenery, it’s the perfect setting for a morning of painting and connecting with fellow artists.

This is a casual community gathering—no formal instruction, just artists getting together to paint outdoors and enjoy the season.

If you’d like to join us, send us a message and we’ll be happy to add you to our plein air list so you can receive all the details for this outing and future events!

Rita recently finished this awesome piece inspired by the work of Kelly Reemtsen, and we absolutely love how it turned out 🫶 Reemtsen’s work always plays with unexpected combinations, and Rita really captured that spirit here with the contrast between the polished figure and the chainsaw. It’s bold, playful, a little humorous, and instantly grabs your attention.

This piece brought so much energy into the studio while Rita was working on it, and you could tell she was having a great time throughout the process. Such a fun concept and such a strong final painting — we are so proud of her work!

Some recent moments from our Monday Art From Life sessions 🧑‍🎨

Working from a live model teaches artists to truly slow down and observe — proportions, movement, light, expression, and all the subtle details that bring a drawing to life. Every week we are blown away by the talent and dedication in this room.

Mondays | 10 AM–1 PM | Come join us ✍️