Please Welcome Our Mew Instructor
Ireland Wisdom
Ireland Wisdom was born and raised in West L.A. and has traveled the world in pursuit of her artistic development. This young prodigy graduated from the downtown Grand Arts School while studying at Kline Academy, and most recently attended and graduated from one of the top traditional art academies in the world- Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy.
Wisdom’s experience in both contemporary and classical painting and sculpting, has given her opportunities to exhibit work all over the city, from the downtown L.A. Art Walk to varying galleries at Bergamot Station. While young Wisdom has been involved with the Kline Academy for almost a decade, a space where she adores sharing her love and knowledge of fine art.
Message from Ireland
I first started signing up for art classes when I was thirteen. I took a couple of different classes at varying locations around LA, but after being unsatisfied with all that I tried, we eventually found Cheryl Kline and her Academy. My first class with Cheryl was on portrait painting and it was absolutely wonderful. After it ended I wanted to explore all that the Kline Academy offers, so I then took Cheryl’s classical master copy painting class, Scott Yesel’s abstract painting class, and Brianna Lees’s figure drawing/painting class.
When nearing the end of my high school career, like everyone else, I began to think seriously about what to do and where to go next. For me it was anything or anywhere that would aid my becoming a professional artist. This was when Cheryl introduced me to the Florence Academy of Art. The FAA is a classical, yet somewhat modern, painting and sculpting atelier in the heart of Florence, Italy. I decided it was the right fit for me, so I began taking two classes a week at the Kline to help build my portfolio. I drew a couple of Bargue (Charles Bargue) copies as well as some cast paintings and drawings, all so I could get used to only painting from life, using a method called sight size which they use at the FAA. Cheryl was mentoring me specifically to my need, to have an outstanding portfolio for applications and to learn how to paint from life. My passion for art truly took shape at this time, with all the support from the amazing faculty at the Kline Academy.
After getting accepted into the FAA, I took the great energy and skills that I gained at the Kline and brought them to Florence. My three years at the FAA were filled with long days of very little sitting or none whatsoever, and instead consisted of drawing and painting from the early morning to the late evening. The skills and knowledge I garnered from the teachers at the Kline Academy sufficiently prepared me for those tiring but exceptional years of honing my crafts in Florence. My time at the Kline and at the FAA has also allowed me to draw and work next to some of today’s most talented artists from around the world.
Now, Cheryl and I are working together again, and I will be teaching my own painting and drawing class for teens starting in December! I want to give my youthful class the opportunity to learn how to paint anything they want. Participants will be able to express their creativity to its fullest extent by learning how to draw and paint three dimensional forms using light effects and space. As a major goal, I would like my students to become passionate about their work and creativity in general. I can also help create the best foundation for students interested in entering a fully immersive fine art program like I did, in the States or overseas. I can help them create a portfolio that will blow away colleges, as Cheryl did for me! Can’t wait to see you in class!
