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Click here to view Phyllis's Gallery

Throughout my life, I have endeavored to learn many disciplines. It was my goal from an early age to experience art, music, literature, and business, and to enjoy each one of these disciplines, focusing on just one at a time. My love of music, specifically piano, led me to becoming a piano instructor. Reading, a bookseller. I even operated a custom picture framing shop. I dabbled in art on occasion, but never seriously pursued it as much as the other disciplines. The reason for my delay was that I had yet to find the right instructor.

          When I attended a demonstration by Mark Menendez, he intrigued me with his color pencil technique. He proclaimed that he could teach anyone how to draw and paint, regardless of his or her amount of, as he said, “talent”. He claimed that all of have the ability to draw, but most never develop this gift. I decided that I would take instruction from him. In doing so I pledged to myself to trust his expertise, and would lay aside my previous experience in art, and start from “square one”.

          Within a few weeks I was creating color pencil portraits. Mark has a very strong sense of the fundamentals of good drawing, and he explains and teaches then in an easy to understand manner. He is patient and encouraging.

He gently guides the student to their next level of growth, and many of his students progress more rapidly than they would under other instruction. He customizes the instruction to fit each student, to take the knowledge they possess, and build upon this foundation, adding the elements they need to perfect their craft.

          After I had completed many color pencil portraits, Mark suggested that I learn portraits in oil colors. I was reluctant, having dabbled previously in that medium, but without satisfaction. He was persuasive, and so I conceded. He offered so much to me in oil painting, that I soon mastered the medium. I have since completed numerous portrait commissions, many of which you can view in my gallery on this website. I have also won many awards, and have had exhibitions of my work at various galleries. I look at the work completed and am amazed. I have much to thank Mark for.