Q&A with Museo Art Academy Instructor & Assistant Director: Ms. Sarah

We love working with fabulous instructors here at Museo Art Academy. We know you don't get a lot of time to get to know them before or after classes, which is a shame because they're amazing! So we asked them all the hard-hitting questions we know you'd want to ask them yourselves.  
 
Today we're meeting with Sarah Duda, our assistant director, to learn more about her. Ms, Sarah also teaches many art classes at Museo, including Masters Night and special events. Sarah is Ms. Ashley's right hand gal and keeps our curriculum fresh. 

What is your first memory with art? 

It's hard to say. Art has been something I've always done ever since I could pick up a crayon. I guess the earliest memory I can remember is from Kindergarten. My teacher was having us write these short little stories and illustrate them. All I wanted to do was draw the pictures for my stories. I would get mad at my teacher when she would stop me to actually write the story!

What is your favorite medium? 
My favorite medium always changes, since I'm constantly learning new things! Currently, I've been working mostly with watercolor and acrylic paints. I enjoy painting because I feel that there are so many ways you can apply and use paint. I've been really enjoying that sense of variety.

Who is your favorite artist (or art movement)? Okay, you can pick two. 
That's a hard choice! I've always admired John Singer Sargent because he's such a phenomenal painter. He's mostly known for his amazing society portraits, but his watercolors are just as fantastic! How he manages to make his watercolors look so effortless yet technical at the same time just fascinates me. I'm also a huge fan of Aubrey Beardsley, I love how using just black and white, he makes these wonderfully expressive illustrations.

Why did you become an art teacher?
Teaching is something that has always been in my family. My mother and my grandmother were both teachers. Growing up, helping others and teaching was something that I was encouraged to do. When I was a kid, my favorite class was art class. In school it was the highlight of my week, and I was always signing up for additional art classes outside of school. Art for me is something that I could do for hours, and never be bored. I'm always happy making art. When I look at my students, I know that they feel the same way. One of the reasons I became an art teacher, was to be able to bring the same excitement I feel about art to my students.

What do you love about teaching? 
My favorite part about teaching art is when a student looks at their finished project and is incredibly proud of what they've accomplished. I love helping my students reach that point. As a teacher, I can always see how my students will create amazing art, and find a way to express themselves. When the student realizes it, it's amazing!

What are your hobbies outside of Museo? 
Making art of course! But aside from that, I love watching old movies. My grandmother is always sending me movies from the 30's and 40's in the mail. There's something about black and white movies that is just so beautiful. I also enjoy being outside and hiking.

What advice would you give to someone who loves art?
If you love making art, keep making art! If you love viewing art, keep viewing it! You don't have to be a professional artist to love or appreciate art. I hear so many people tell me that they love art, but they have no talent for making it. That's okay! As long as it makes you happy, or helps you understand your feelings in a moment, then art has done its job. Don't let the fear of your own personal ability take that away from you; or make you feel any less entitled to your love for art.
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You can learn even more about Ms. Sarah here! 

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