We’ve recently begun student interviews in order to give prospective students a better understanding of the environment and education we provide at SORA. The interviews are designed to inform visitors about the diverse student backgrounds and personal experiences of individual students who attend school here. We hope you will enjoy reading about the students’ perspectives and see how each person has learned different skills from their studies at SORA.

Interview with Karen Becker, 3^rd year student

Karen Becker at work on her Long Pose

1. What brought you to SORA?

I had been freelancing as a graphic designer for 15 years and a project I worked on inspired me to get back to my roots in fine art and make creative work again. I didn’t have a painting background, so SORA offered me the chance to learn how to paint.

2. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned at SORA and how does it affect your artistic style or development?

Learning how to take a drawing to a higher finish was something I never experienced back in college. Even with my background in drawing, I never had the chance to refine my work to such a high degree. When one realizes that one can do that, it gives the person a full scope of his or her potential and skills. To realize that there is always room to learn and achieve more accuracy and beauty in one’s drawing opens up a whole new world to the student.

3. What advice would you give to students interested in studying at SORA?

Be patient in the beginning. The progress may seem slow but you will see dramatic improvements by the end of your first year and be amazed. The beginning is slow and frustrating, but just draw as much as you can; draw all the time! Have fun!

Thanks everyone for the enthusiastic turn out for the Composition Lecture. Instructor Michael Chelich went through a vast amount of reference materials during the two day session and explained the principles behind successful compositions.

Michael Chelich explains how to compose with thumbnails

Explanation of composition framework of Old Master works

Due to great demands, there will be another Composition Lecture series coming up during the spring semester. Please check back for the dates and for registration information.

The fall semester is always super busy at SORA since it is a shorter semester. We have about a month and a half left in the semester long pose, which is currently underway for all the students. Meanwhile, half of the weekdays are filled with shorter poses that vary from 2 to 4 days depending on the specific pose.

Here are some new works by students.

Drawing of Josh by Christina Caruso

Semester Long Pose in progress Charlie Critchelow

Bargue copy in progress by Kathleen Harkins

More pictures of student works will come along with some student interviews! We would like for everyone to get to know the dedicated artists who work hard at SORA.

This weekend, the students are looking forward to the 2 part lecture on the principals of composition by instructor Michael Chelich. This lecture will help the new students with their compositional studies throughout the school year as well as gain insight into the work entailed in bringing a creative piece to completion. Stay tuned for updates about the lecture!