Student Testimonials
Cindy Stone
I attended a beginner's watercolor class led by Scott Nelson and it was a fantastic experience. I always wanted to explore watercolor but wasn't sure where to start. Through the local art community Scott Nelsons came highly recommended.
The class structure was over the next ten weeks, with each session lasting three hours. The small class size allowed for plenty of one-on-one guidance, which was ideal for someone like me who was still finding my footing in this medium. Scott was incredibly patient and encouraging. We were walked through fundamental techniques but also encouraged us to express our individual style. Detailed feedback was given during the session not only from Scott but our fellow students which helped me improve with each class.
I learned so much about watercolor and its possibilities, along with different tools. This made the more technical aspects approachable. The class had a warm, inviting atmosphere. Scott made everyone feel comfortable whether they were seasoned artists or complete beginners. There was a real sense of camaraderie. By the end of the class, I had a small series of paintings to be proud of and to see how much I had grown over the course of the class.
Overall, I would recommend Scott Nelson's classes to anyone looking to explore or deepen their skills. It is perfect for the beginners who want a supportive, hands-on learning environment, but also for more experienced artists benefiting from Scott's insightful feedback.
Nancy Sides
As a child I loved to draw but was never encouraged, so any dream of becoming an artist was put aside. When I retired 6 years ago, I began taking beginner art classes. Unfortunately, most of the classes were taught from a “do what I do” approach without much regard for the needs of the individual student. Two years ago, I decided to take one more class, this one taught by Scott Nelson, co-founder of Two Bridges Art Academy. That decision completely changed my attitude. I could immediately tell he was all about the student and what they were looking for in an art class. I had become terrified of the critiques, but Scott erased all of that fear with the way he led the group critiques. He encouraged us to learn from each other’s successes and challenges when we shared our homework. We began to trust one another and you could feel each person's confidence increase. Becoming a part of a community of students in those 8 weeks was an incredible experience.
I am now in my 7th class with Scott and met Lisa Pueschel, an accomplished artist, along the way. It was clear in the first class I shared with Lisa that she shared a similar approach to teaching art as Scott. When I learned that Lisa and Scott were starting their own art academy where their philosophy of teaching the skills in a simplified process, encouraging the student to find their own creative place within the process, and building a supportive community of fellow artists along the way, I was thrilled. I know I can take any class in their program, and it will improve my skills, encourage my creativity, and promote a community of supportive artists as well as friends.
"I feel I am growing as an artist.” That is a quote from another student in one of the classes I am currently taking with Scott. Most any student who has taken a class with Scott Nelson, beginner, intermediate or advanced, would most likely agree that is the joy and the reward, “growing as an artist."
