KRISTY DEFLORES
Hello, my name is Kristy DeFlores and I am living my dream.
My passion for art came alive at a very young age. Even in elementary school, I was known as an artist – I guess you could say it’s my thing!
Now I get to share it with you. Opening an art school and passing on my passion is no longer that “pie in the sky”- it’s a reality. ArtMuse is an opportunity for me to teach, and for you to fly.
Here’s a little bit about how I got here, and why you should join me.
It all started at the age of 17. I was one of 16 students chosen from the state of New Jersey, to attend Governors School for the Arts at the College of New Jersey. It was such a great experience I decided to attend TCNJ in 1997 as an undergrad.
While I was an undergrad, my art was selected for a number of juried exhibitions, and won some awards too. My first teaching experience happened while I was in college. I had the opportunity to teach fine art classes in the summer to children ages 5-12 years old at the Arts Council of Princeton. It was a dream job for a college student, and I caught the teaching bug. I knew then, I would be dedicating my life to teaching. I continued to teach fine art, comic book, and Anime classes there until 2008.
After earning my BFA, I decided to go back to school to get my Masters in Elementary Education and my teaching certification. While studying for my masters, I had the privilege of teaching k-5 painting and drawing at a Charter School in Trenton.
In 2002, I got the opportunity to teach high school students at Ewing High School in New Jersey. And I found a new passion delving into fashion, ceramics, and graphic design.
I followed my new passion for graphic design from 2004-2008, when I taught public middle school students grades 7-8 in Montgomery, New Jersey. We covered Photoshop, Illustrator, and stop motion animation. So much fun!
Then, in 2007, I started teaching art lessons at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA. I fell in love! At the museum, I taught all age levels in fashion, Anime, comic books, realistic drawing and painting, and teen portfolio prep classes. For the museum, I developed the Fashion classes, Anime classes, Teen classes, and Family weekend classes. I also expanded my experience with adult classes. It’s been amazing to watch my students progress through the years. Some I’ve had since elementary school, now I’m helping with their college portfolios and are seeing them off, fulfilling their dreams, to art school. It’s an honor to see their growth and success.
After teaching public school for some time, I decided to stay at home with my two daughters. To keep myself busy, I continued teaching at the Michener Art Museum and branched out as a freelance graphic designer creating logos, postcards, e-cards, and commissioned fine art for local businesses.
I’ve dedicated fifteen years to teaching and I’m so excited to bring all of my experience and passion to ArtMuse. I hope you’ll join me in my new art studio – I can’t wait to meet you and help your creativity come to life through art!
My passion for art came alive at a very young age. Even in elementary school, I was known as an artist – I guess you could say it’s my thing!
Now I get to share it with you. Opening an art school and passing on my passion is no longer that “pie in the sky”- it’s a reality. ArtMuse is an opportunity for me to teach, and for you to fly.
Here’s a little bit about how I got here, and why you should join me.
It all started at the age of 17. I was one of 16 students chosen from the state of New Jersey, to attend Governors School for the Arts at the College of New Jersey. It was such a great experience I decided to attend TCNJ in 1997 as an undergrad.
While I was an undergrad, my art was selected for a number of juried exhibitions, and won some awards too. My first teaching experience happened while I was in college. I had the opportunity to teach fine art classes in the summer to children ages 5-12 years old at the Arts Council of Princeton. It was a dream job for a college student, and I caught the teaching bug. I knew then, I would be dedicating my life to teaching. I continued to teach fine art, comic book, and Anime classes there until 2008.
After earning my BFA, I decided to go back to school to get my Masters in Elementary Education and my teaching certification. While studying for my masters, I had the privilege of teaching k-5 painting and drawing at a Charter School in Trenton.
In 2002, I got the opportunity to teach high school students at Ewing High School in New Jersey. And I found a new passion delving into fashion, ceramics, and graphic design.
I followed my new passion for graphic design from 2004-2008, when I taught public middle school students grades 7-8 in Montgomery, New Jersey. We covered Photoshop, Illustrator, and stop motion animation. So much fun!
Then, in 2007, I started teaching art lessons at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA. I fell in love! At the museum, I taught all age levels in fashion, Anime, comic books, realistic drawing and painting, and teen portfolio prep classes. For the museum, I developed the Fashion classes, Anime classes, Teen classes, and Family weekend classes. I also expanded my experience with adult classes. It’s been amazing to watch my students progress through the years. Some I’ve had since elementary school, now I’m helping with their college portfolios and are seeing them off, fulfilling their dreams, to art school. It’s an honor to see their growth and success.
After teaching public school for some time, I decided to stay at home with my two daughters. To keep myself busy, I continued teaching at the Michener Art Museum and branched out as a freelance graphic designer creating logos, postcards, e-cards, and commissioned fine art for local businesses.
I’ve dedicated fifteen years to teaching and I’m so excited to bring all of my experience and passion to ArtMuse. I hope you’ll join me in my new art studio – I can’t wait to meet you and help your creativity come to life through art!
JOSH ELLIOTT
I have always loved building things and making them work. From a little kid playing with LEGOs to an adult… making robots with LEGO’s, I have continued to grow and work to figure out how things work.
I have taught Technology and Engineering Education in public schools since I graduated from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in 2002. I started my teaching career at Lawrence Township High School in Lawrence, NJ. In 2004, I returned to Neshaminy School District, where I did my student teaching. I have taught middle school and high school in NSD since 2004.
In 2011 I became the Lead Teacher and Department Chairperson for Technology and Engineering Education. Since that time, I have worked with math and science leaders to integrate all of the content into a true science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum. That year I also started the Neshaminy Summer STEM program where we introduced LEGO Robotics to elementary school students in a summer camp setting.
Recently, I have been working to integrate engineering and technology units into the elementary schools in Neshaminy School District. Additionally, I have been focusing on addressing the design and art aspects of technology and engineering. I am excited to work with the ArtMuse staff and students to develop informative and exciting STEAM projects.
I have taught Technology and Engineering Education in public schools since I graduated from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in 2002. I started my teaching career at Lawrence Township High School in Lawrence, NJ. In 2004, I returned to Neshaminy School District, where I did my student teaching. I have taught middle school and high school in NSD since 2004.
In 2011 I became the Lead Teacher and Department Chairperson for Technology and Engineering Education. Since that time, I have worked with math and science leaders to integrate all of the content into a true science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum. That year I also started the Neshaminy Summer STEM program where we introduced LEGO Robotics to elementary school students in a summer camp setting.
Recently, I have been working to integrate engineering and technology units into the elementary schools in Neshaminy School District. Additionally, I have been focusing on addressing the design and art aspects of technology and engineering. I am excited to work with the ArtMuse staff and students to develop informative and exciting STEAM projects.
MARY ROCHE
Originally from New Jersey, Mary Roche, moved to Baltimore in 2003 to attend the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). While at MICA Mary focused on her two passions, Sculpture and teaching students. For as long as she can remember art has been a huge part of her life. Since she studied at the Studio Art Center International in Florence in 2005 she has taken every opportunity to travel and use art from around the world to inspire her personal art and the lessons she teaches her students. She loves to work with children and watch them make discoveries through art. Whether in her own work or in her students, she strives to make personal connections with the real world to help relate to the artwork being created.
Mary graduated from MICA with a BFA in General Sculptural Studies. She continued at MICA to earn a Masters in Art Teaching degree. Mary taught in Howard County Public Schools for 6 years with experiences in elementary and high school art programs. While living in Maryland, Mary worked with a homeschooling group to create custom curriculums and summer camps that were cross curricular with history. Mary has over 10 years experience teaching private art lessons. Since moving to Bucks County, PA in 2014, Mary has taken long term substitute art positions in the Central Bucks School District and taught art classes at the Whitemarsh Art Center. Mary currently resides in Chalfont, PA with her husband Kris and daughter Ella.
Mary graduated from MICA with a BFA in General Sculptural Studies. She continued at MICA to earn a Masters in Art Teaching degree. Mary taught in Howard County Public Schools for 6 years with experiences in elementary and high school art programs. While living in Maryland, Mary worked with a homeschooling group to create custom curriculums and summer camps that were cross curricular with history. Mary has over 10 years experience teaching private art lessons. Since moving to Bucks County, PA in 2014, Mary has taken long term substitute art positions in the Central Bucks School District and taught art classes at the Whitemarsh Art Center. Mary currently resides in Chalfont, PA with her husband Kris and daughter Ella.
JONELLE VAN BASTELAAR
"Ever since I was a young girl, I could remember feeling the "itch" to create something. Whether it was bleaching designs onto my clothing, doing some type of needlepoint, or drawing photos my mom had taken, I was always creating and loved every second of it. It was what I chose to do in my downtime, especially drawing and painting. I stuck close to taking as many art classes as I could through middle school and high school. Once college came, I chose to attend Penn State University and received my Bachelors and Masters in Architectural Engineering in December 1999. My course load was too crowded to squeeze in any art classes, but I continued to draw and paint whenever I could!
After graduation, I worked in Philadelphia for an engineering consulting company. In 2003, I decided to stop working once I had our first daughter. That was 14 years ago and I have appreciated every bit of being a stay-at-home mom for my 4 children. It is a blessing to be able to pour into these little humans and watch them grow, help them find their loves, and share life with them! In all this time, I was finally able to nurture and grow my creativity and allow it to serve a purpose by teaching others.
My first born was clearly creative from the start so I ran with that and did "crafty" things with her everyday. By night, I began painting again. I ended up entering the Doylestown Arts Festival and being a part of Lydia's Guild to show and potentially even sell my art. It was a great experience and built my confidence to explore more ways that I could share my creative passion with others! Time went on, and along with having my 4 kids, I became a MOPS creative activities leader for 2 years, a VBS craft coordinator for 4 years, a sewing instructor to children ages 8 to 11 for 3 years, and a winter enrichment teacher at Doyle Elementary for 5 years. Eureka!!! I have found that I can share what I love with others, especially children, by teaching them various ways of tapping into their creativity! It is so exciting to see a student take something to a new level and make something and do something they can call their own...a priceless confidence builder.
Creativity makes the world go 'round. I firmly believe that! I am so excited to be given the opportunity to spread my creative wings even more with the staff of Art Muse and the people that come in and out of its doors."
After graduation, I worked in Philadelphia for an engineering consulting company. In 2003, I decided to stop working once I had our first daughter. That was 14 years ago and I have appreciated every bit of being a stay-at-home mom for my 4 children. It is a blessing to be able to pour into these little humans and watch them grow, help them find their loves, and share life with them! In all this time, I was finally able to nurture and grow my creativity and allow it to serve a purpose by teaching others.
My first born was clearly creative from the start so I ran with that and did "crafty" things with her everyday. By night, I began painting again. I ended up entering the Doylestown Arts Festival and being a part of Lydia's Guild to show and potentially even sell my art. It was a great experience and built my confidence to explore more ways that I could share my creative passion with others! Time went on, and along with having my 4 kids, I became a MOPS creative activities leader for 2 years, a VBS craft coordinator for 4 years, a sewing instructor to children ages 8 to 11 for 3 years, and a winter enrichment teacher at Doyle Elementary for 5 years. Eureka!!! I have found that I can share what I love with others, especially children, by teaching them various ways of tapping into their creativity! It is so exciting to see a student take something to a new level and make something and do something they can call their own...a priceless confidence builder.
Creativity makes the world go 'round. I firmly believe that! I am so excited to be given the opportunity to spread my creative wings even more with the staff of Art Muse and the people that come in and out of its doors."
KATIE BAAB
Katie started her wedding photography business in New York City in 2006 after earning a BFA in photography from the University of Delaware. She worked there for five years before relocating to Bucks County, where she continues to work as a portrait and wedding photographer. Striving to create emotive, artistic images of love and family and desperate to document the fleeting everyday moments of family life, Katie brings an appreciation for finding honest and real moments and emotions that create a visual story for the viewer. Katie is excited to return to teaching to help ignite a passion to make better photographs and to guide students to see the world in a new light.
www.kateleigh.com
kateleighphoto IG
Kate Leigh Photographer FB
www.kateleigh.com
kateleighphoto IG
Kate Leigh Photographer FB
MICHELLE BRADY
Michelle grew up in Bucks County and always had an interest in art, taking many drawing and painting classes both in school and after school. She graduated from CB East in 1999 and decided to study Graphic Design as a way to apply her interest in art to a career. After graduating in 2003 with a B.A. in Graphic Design from Penn State, she moved to New York, working in the art department Saks Fifth Avenue and then on to the agency world, spending 7 years at Agency Sacks, a boutique ad agency serving luxury brands before moving on as a freelance designer and art director. Michelle brings over 15 years of experience designing print collateral, brand identities, and advertising for companies including American Express, Cartier, Weleda and Peninsula Hotels.
Having recently moved back to Doylestown, Michelle is excited to be a part of the ArtMuse community and looks forward to bringing her professional experience into the studio.
Having recently moved back to Doylestown, Michelle is excited to be a part of the ArtMuse community and looks forward to bringing her professional experience into the studio.
Rachelle Picarello
I am a ceramic artist and graphic designer from Central New Jersey. I absolutely love being a maker. In ceramics, I love both the process of creating functional pieces, sculptural art, and exploring and mastering new techniques from the traditional to the obscure. I also love sharing what I have discovered with anyone who is interested in learning about it! For the past year I have been happily hosting workshops for the ceramics students at MCCC to introduce them to some new techniques that I have been mastering.
I hold an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts from Mercer County Community College with emphasis on Ceramics and also a Bachelor’s Degree from TCNJ in Fine Arts, Graphic Design.
https://rachellepicarello.myportfolio.com/pottery-1
I hold an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts from Mercer County Community College with emphasis on Ceramics and also a Bachelor’s Degree from TCNJ in Fine Arts, Graphic Design.
https://rachellepicarello.myportfolio.com/pottery-1
Elle Green
Elle Green moved to Pennsylvania from Texas with her husband, David, in 2017 and put her
passion for reading, writing, and fiction in motion. In her first year here she created and
organized the Bucks County Book Festival, a two-day celebration of professionally published
authors and the readers who love them. On October 13 and 14, 2018, Elle volunteered with 200
others to host more than 50 professional authors and 2,100 fans in Doylestown. Visit:
https://www.BucksBookFest.org
Writing has long been an essential aspect of Elle’s career. She is an award-winning journalist,
PBS documentary producer, and advertising agency copywriter. Elle is now working on her first
novel while serving as a marketing consultant in Bucks County and beyond.
“Stories matter,” Elle says. “Everyone has something to say. We may not remember numbers or
names, but stories linger. They have the power to motivate, to change lives.
“I’m excited to work with young people who are eager to use their imagination, develop
storyline, create realistic characters and write believable dialogue. This class is a safe, fun place
for students to develop their skills and share what they’ve written. I fully expect to learn as
much from students as they do from me.”
passion for reading, writing, and fiction in motion. In her first year here she created and
organized the Bucks County Book Festival, a two-day celebration of professionally published
authors and the readers who love them. On October 13 and 14, 2018, Elle volunteered with 200
others to host more than 50 professional authors and 2,100 fans in Doylestown. Visit:
https://www.BucksBookFest.org
Writing has long been an essential aspect of Elle’s career. She is an award-winning journalist,
PBS documentary producer, and advertising agency copywriter. Elle is now working on her first
novel while serving as a marketing consultant in Bucks County and beyond.
“Stories matter,” Elle says. “Everyone has something to say. We may not remember numbers or
names, but stories linger. They have the power to motivate, to change lives.
“I’m excited to work with young people who are eager to use their imagination, develop
storyline, create realistic characters and write believable dialogue. This class is a safe, fun place
for students to develop their skills and share what they’ve written. I fully expect to learn as
much from students as they do from me.”
LAUREN BECK
Lauren Beck grew up in Yardley, PA as a creative kid with an itch to draw! With supportive parents and an excellent art program at Pennsbury School District, Lauren created with whatever material she could get her hands on - traditional media such as charcoal and watercolor, or dabbling in non-traditional materials such as stained glass and papier-mâché. She continued her passion for art and teaching by attending Kutztown University, finally graduating with a BS in Art Education.
As Lauren continued along her career path, she taught in various school districts, but eventually decided to explore other positions in arts service. Lauren worked as a manager of a craft gallery in Emmaus, PA, as well as head of operations for the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, a local arts nonprofit.
With these positions, Lauren built up her skills in art marketing and digital design, but she found herself needing to escape the computer and create something by hand. At the suggestion of a friend, Lauren explored hand lettering and calligraphy and unintentionally stumbled on a new obsession! After receiving an overwhelming amount of custom requests, Lauren decided to begin Ren & Ink Lettering in June 2018. As Lauren continued to work with bridal couples and small business clients, she chose to incorporate her Art Education degree by offering workshops.
When she's not lettering away on her iPad, you can find Lauren hanging with her two awesome daughters and husband, living the simple family life and loving every minute. Learn more about Lauren and Ren & Ink at http://www.renandink.com.
As Lauren continued along her career path, she taught in various school districts, but eventually decided to explore other positions in arts service. Lauren worked as a manager of a craft gallery in Emmaus, PA, as well as head of operations for the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, a local arts nonprofit.
With these positions, Lauren built up her skills in art marketing and digital design, but she found herself needing to escape the computer and create something by hand. At the suggestion of a friend, Lauren explored hand lettering and calligraphy and unintentionally stumbled on a new obsession! After receiving an overwhelming amount of custom requests, Lauren decided to begin Ren & Ink Lettering in June 2018. As Lauren continued to work with bridal couples and small business clients, she chose to incorporate her Art Education degree by offering workshops.
When she's not lettering away on her iPad, you can find Lauren hanging with her two awesome daughters and husband, living the simple family life and loving every minute. Learn more about Lauren and Ren & Ink at http://www.renandink.com.
kyra panchison
All her work life Kyra has been surrounded by art or children. Being able to combine these two is her dream come true. She is a fine artist ten years in the making, having undergone art classes in both her personal time and college degree. She has earned her Associates of Fine Arts Degree, and since then has been attending school to achieve her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts: Printmaking with Art Education. The materials and mediums she frequents include printmaking, colored pencil, charcoal, pencil, pastels, and more. She hopes to spread and share her love of art and teaching to all of those part of the ArtMuse community!
Instagram: kyralynn_art
Instagram: kyralynn_art
APRIL ZAY
April Zay has a BFA in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. She spent many years working as a packaging designer with tabletop companies, such as Lenox China, and Kate Spade, before opening her own art studio in Hamilton, NJ. She has experience working with students of all ages and abilities. April prides herself on being patient when working with students and helping them achieve their full creative and artistic potential. She teaches students to slow down and observe the world around them. This is reflected in the art that they create in her workshops.
www.hummingbird-arts.com
www.hummingbird-arts.com
RYLEE CASSEL
Ever since she could hold a pencil, Rylee always had a sketchbook with her, and she continued to get more and more, filling them with doodles, sketches, and final pieces of ideas from her imagination or encounters from everyday life.
Rylee sees art as more than just a couple colors on a piece of paper; rather art is a masterpiece that captures one specific moment of emotion, desire, or sensation. Whether it’s through pencil, acrylics, watercolor, pen, or ink, all mediums can express who a person is.
https://ryleecassel98.wixsite.com/mysite
Rylee sees art as more than just a couple colors on a piece of paper; rather art is a masterpiece that captures one specific moment of emotion, desire, or sensation. Whether it’s through pencil, acrylics, watercolor, pen, or ink, all mediums can express who a person is.
https://ryleecassel98.wixsite.com/mysite
SARAH CORNWELL and MICHELLE KILLENBECK
Sarah Cornwell:
I founded Sarah Cornwell Jewelry in 2001 while living in AZ. My passion for pearls and stones started at a young age collecting shells on family vacations. In 2006, I moved back to my hometown in PA and grew my business. I love designing, creating, and talking about jewelry!
www.sarahcornwelljewelry.com
I founded Sarah Cornwell Jewelry in 2001 while living in AZ. My passion for pearls and stones started at a young age collecting shells on family vacations. In 2006, I moved back to my hometown in PA and grew my business. I love designing, creating, and talking about jewelry!
www.sarahcornwelljewelry.com
Michelle Killenbeck:
I met Sarah at the Doylestown Artsfest and fell in love with her jewelry and aesthetic. Shortly after, she advertised for a designer and the rest is history. That was 7 years ago. I love working with gemstones and wire--creating beautiful treasured pieces.
www.sarahcornwelljewelry.com
I met Sarah at the Doylestown Artsfest and fell in love with her jewelry and aesthetic. Shortly after, she advertised for a designer and the rest is history. That was 7 years ago. I love working with gemstones and wire--creating beautiful treasured pieces.
www.sarahcornwelljewelry.com
KRISTIAN RANDT
I am a graduate of Millersville University, Technology and Engineering Education Department and I love and am inspired by all things involving engineering and design, especially WORKING WITH WOOD! In September 2018, as an 8 year veteran of the public education system, and with the majority of my teaching experience in STEM and robotics, I finally landed my dream job as the Manufacturing (a.k.a. woodshop) teacher at Neshaminy High School. I'm so happy that woodshop still exists in public high schools because I'm at my best covered in sawdust building things with students who want to learn. Let's create something beautiful together.