The School:

I’ve been teaching art since the fall 2006. It all started at Camp Tanamakoon (see below and link page) after being asked by camp director Patti Thom and owner Kim Smith, if I would be willing to come and teach at their seniors camp called Seasons. I thought it might be a fun experience, I’m always up for new adventures, so I said yes. I enjoyed the seniors so much that it lit a spark inside me. Much like painting had previously come to me. 3 months later I had rented a space in the building behind my gallery and set up two teaching rooms and a studio. I started my first classes with about 8 or 9 students in total. I now have 36 registered students, and a new setting. An 1840’s estate home that houses me, the school, and my studio. 

My students vary from beginners who always wanted to paint but

never thought they could, to advanced students that are selling their

art work, doing shows and winning prizes. Many of my former

beginners  are now part of this group, of whom I am very proud for

whatever small part I played in this new found love of painting. I teach

mainly in oil and acrylic, though a few students have worked in

watercolour and many have also looked to improve their drawing

abilities.

Throughout this time my students and I have done many art related trips

including Italy (See Gene’s world in photos and events), New York City, the National Art Gallery in Ottawa, Ontario, The Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, Ontario, and the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario.

If you would like more information on attending my classes, or to see if there are spaces available please feel free to contact me. My contact information is on the “Contact Gene” page.

I am also starting to invite other artists I know to teach weekend workshops at my school. Our last instructor was master portrait artist Juan Martinez, instructor at the Toronto School of Realism and guest artist on TV’s Star Portraits.

TEACHING AT CAMP TANAMAKOON:

As I stated above, I first started teaching a seniors class at Camp Tanamakoon in Algonquin Park (see links) in the fall of 2006. Since that time my teaching there has expanded to include two separate weeks at the kids camp during the month of July, two separate weeks with the seniors in September, and a week in October where I teach with artist Dwayne Harty (see the links page for more info. on this great artist. Dwayne is also one of the artist featured in my TV show).

I love Algonquin Park. It is such a wonderful setting for an artist, no matter what your skill level, subject matter or medium. Check out the details on each of these great camp experiences. Love to see you there.