Aloha!
I'm Rebecca Block, an artist who believes art is for everyone. My passion is helping you increase your confidence as you nurture your creative side. Through clear guidance, practical skills, and a whole lot of encouragement, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish on your creative journey!
About me
I'm originally from landlocked Missouri but my family moved here several years ago for a work opportunity that was hard to pass up. (I mean....wouldn't you too if you longed for growing things year-round and being in the ocean while living in a landlocked state?) We love being a part of O'ahu's leeward side and getting to know folks from many places all over the world!
My husband and I have two boys and a black-and-tan hound that might beg you for pets if she hears you at a lesson. (only if you want to!) Dogs and chickens are some of my favorite animals. (Sadly, those two things don't usually mesh well together). I'd much prefer to be living in the country and growing a big garden with a fruit orchard and loads and loads of berries!
Speaking of plants.....I'm an unashamed plant lady! Edible and Native plants are my jam no matter where I'm traveling in the world, but I also have an unexplainable interest in epiphytes like orchids, succulents, and peperomia.
I love being active outdoors and would describe myself as a "naturalist" - someone who appreciates the great outdoors and enjoys sharing things about it with others. Some of my favorite things to do are hiking through the woods, snorkeling, paddling, and attempting to figure out how to ocean fish (mostly failing at that so far). Basically, I love being outside, especially in wild places where I can enjoy the absolute gorgeousness of the islands!
What I Create
My favorite things to create: Vibrant watercolor illustrations and drawings inspired by the natural world around me. Ink-and-watercolor travel sketching I also right up there. Lately I've been working on oil painting landscapes and botanicals, because I just love that rich texture that thicker paints give.
While I do enjoy the quiet and my music while I paint from my home-based studio, you might also catch me painting en plein air sometimes, too! It's a beast to paint outdoors in Hawai'i but I enjoy the challenge of getting a painting or sketch done in one morning!
My art website is www.ArtByRebecca.com. You can also check out my artwork when you're at my studio in Waipahu or at local art markets & events listed on my art site.
My dream job: Writing and illustrating children's books! I've always been drawn to stories, whether in written, photographic, or painted form, so this seems like a natural fit.
My teaching approach
I'm here to guide and inspire you in your innate creativity. Yes, you, the one who thinks she doesn't have any. I see it in you, even if you don't. Even if you're coming from a background with zero art experience, I guarantee you will be learning things with me while you get creative! It doesn't matter to me where you are in your art journey, because I know I can help you improve. I strive to be the best art teacher you or your kids have ever had.
I LOVE sharing about subjects I'm passionate about, but what I don't like is when "art people" make the creative process out of reach for others. When I teach, I don't use floofy, artsy-farsty language. Vague language about art (or anything, for that matter!) is a great way to alienate and confuse people. I would much rather use clear, logical language to talk about art so everyone can understand it. I approach talking about art in a very matter-of-fact, logical way to help people understand the science and reasoning behind things.
People approach art-making in so many different ways. Some people see art as a way of "expressing yourself." Some people see art as a way of recording the world around us. Some people see art as a way of sharing ideas. Sometimes it's a combination of these, or other reasons. In short, art can look different and have different meanings coming from different makers. I recognize this and I don't force my students into a particular style. I help my students with refining technique and craftsmanship, and encourage them along the way so they can gain confidence in themselves.
In my classes, we do a lot of close observations from real life objects or reference photos. This kind of practice does really cool things in our brains! We may study things like frozen bugs in my freezer (my family knows not to open that Prime bottle in the door next to the fish bait), dried bits and pieces I collected at the beach, and plants I just picked from my tropical garden. Sometimes I pull out a magnifying glass or microscope! When I teach drawing the human figure, we look at those little mannequin figures, photos pulled from magazines and the internet, and the poses of classmates or waiting parents.
I'm definitely not the teacher for you if you want to learn anime or cartooning styles of drawing. But if you want to learn how to draw something more realistically, how to finally understand watercolor, or how to work with a wide range of materials to acheive your artistic vision....Let me know how I can help you.
Education and Experience
- Earned Bachelor of Science degree in K-12 Art Education from Missouri State University
- Taught at a YMCA Y-Arts Academy for homeschoolers, preschoolers, art camps, kids and adults
- Ran a professional photography business
- Taught doula clients and their families in prep for childbirth and breastfeeding
- Substitute taught for art teachers and librarians in schools
- Taught watercolor paint night parties hosted with local businesses
- Sold my art online and at events
-
Illustrated freelance art projects for private clients