MEET THE ARTISTS
OSNAT ALICE ALMOG
Founder
The Art Studio is managed by local Sydney artist Osnat Almog. Osnat is an exhibiting artist with a BA in Fine Art (National Art School) and a Master of Art (College Of Fine Art). Osnat established The Art Studio in 2010 with more than 15 years of experience in teaching art classes and facilitating workshops and art courses.
“I believe that art is a vital form of self-expression which we all share in our most primal state. The first form of creative expression in every toddler is scribbling with crayons on paper, as drawing is our natural means of visual communication. Learning the techniques and gaining artistic skills will improve the way you communicate with yourself and with the world. Apart from art-making being a meditative state, it also stimulates our creative thought and imagination.”
NIKI KOPPEL
Art Teacher
Niki Koeppl is a Sydney based, emerging Australian Artist. Graduating from the National Art School in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in Sculpture, Niki primarily works as a Watercolourist, Sculptor and Portrait Artist at her art studio in Matraville.
Painting in watercolours as well as drawing with various dry media are significant mediums in her current art-making. Niki has been creating a body of work inspired by studies on the human form, exploring the structure and patterns of the body and expression while mastering the fluidity of watercolours.
Coming from an artistic family, creativity has always played an important role in her entire life. Her father Kurt Koeppl, a talented, prolific artist and well known within the Sydney eastern suburbs community, has been a major inspiration in Niki’s artistic practice.
LIIA REINVALI
Art Teacher
"Art for me is a way of expressing my feelings and emotions as I like to express my inner world beyond what we visually see. I invite the viewers on a journey of bright and sunny moments as well as through some lonely times that tell a story and evoke emotion.
I focus on pop-realism portraits using acrylics, oil paints and mixed media, as well as designing digital artworks. I am inspired by old masters and especially by Cubism, Fauvism, and Surrealism movements. I love teaching art and sharing my passion and knowledge to kids and adult classes at The Art Studio."
LUCIANA SMITH
Art Teacher
Luciana Smith is a Sydney based artist with a Bachelor of Art & Design at UNSW (2015) She is an exhibiting artist around Australia and internationally: Arts Inn Florence, Saint Cloche Sydney, Innerspace Contemporary Brisbane, Dungog Contemporary, finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Waverley Art Prize.
Luciana is an exhibiting artist in local Sydney galleries
JESSICA WIDJAJA
Art Teacher
"I have been passionate about art since I was old enough to pick up a pencil, I would be doodling pictures and creating stories. My favourite form of art is drawing, particularly portraits and still life, however, I enjoy the process of creating new artworks, designing it first in my head then giving it life on paper or canvas.
The best part about teaching art, especially children, is seeing their free excitement nature and watching them light up when they make something they are super proud of, especially when they hold their projects up to their parents in excitement. The art studio is a great place to express creativity, meet new friends and have a great creative experience. "
Svetlana Prokhorova
Art Teacher
Svetlana is a Sydney based artist with a Bachelor of Fine Art, National Art School (majoring in Printmaking) in 2020. She is currently continuing her Master of Fine Art program at NAS. For the last three years she has been a finalist in numerous National Art Awards and has exhibited interstate.
"My inspiration comes from the great artists of early twenties century. I love Geometric Abstract, Avant-garde and Constructivism movements, their dynamism and symbolism. I am interesed in their vibrant colours and composition. I am happy to share my knowledge with students and motivate them to explor their creativity and self expression."
Nicola Bartos
Art Teacher
Nicola Bartos is an Australian Painter and a painting and drawing teacher, based in Sydney. She is a recent finalist in the Wynne Prize 2021 at the Art Gallery of NSW. She completed her Fine Arts degree at the National Art School and her latest solo show 'Things Like To Bite Me' was in August 2021.
"I enjoy teaching adult art classes at The Art Studio for complete beginners as well as advanced drawing and painting techniques with various mediums"
Mayu Iwasaki
Art Teacher
Mayu comes from a long line of puppet-makers in Tokyo and is a mixed media artist and a theatre-maker. She is passionate about providing a safe space for children to express their creativity and be themselves. For Mayu, she uses art as a way to tell stories.
She attended drawing classes for 11 years at a small but absolutely magical painting studio in heart of Tokyo. She is also a creative associate at Monkeybaa Theatre. She wishes to provide for those who attend the studio a sense of play and active use of their imaginations.
Mayu has skills in many different art forms including, watercolours, clay sculpting, oil, acrylic and many others. Her favourite quote: "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up" by Pablo Picasso