Instruction

Visual Art Instruction for Adults

Christy currently teaches at the Art Verve Academy in Tucson, Arizona. She's been teaching drawing and painting to adults since 2010 and has conducted several international instructor-led workshops abroad.

---

"Teaching reinvigorates my enthusiastic approach to learning and students often inspire me.

The real gratification comes through the discovery of something new after viewing the same information or skill via a fresh perspective or curious mind. "

-- Christy Olsen

---

Testimonials

The following testimonials are from students who took an adult art class with Christy.

"Thank you for the 'Portraits in Pastel' course!

It was beneficial for you to participate actively in the class and share the steps you took in your drawings.

Looking forward to taking another course!"

-- Portraits in Pastel Student
Art Verve Academy

"Want to thank you for a great class yesterday, Christy!

You have a set of skills that allows students to actively participate as individuals and as a group while you maintain the leadership role.

Not an easy thing to do."

-- Drawing Facial Features Student
Art Verve Academy

"She is such a delight & a very authentic teacher.

She has practical advice for the recreational to the professional artist."

-- Color Fundamentals Student
The Drawing Studio (TDS)

"Christy's energy combined with her honesty and experience with her willingness & drive to share with students is magnetic."

-- Color Fundamentals Student
The Drawing Studio (TDS)

"I can't even begin to tell you how much I learned and how motivated I am to continue.

What better testament is that?"

-- Color Fundamentals Student
The Drawing Studio (TDS)

"Enjoyed the upbeat & positivity in her class!"

-- Introduction to Gouache Student
The Drawing Studio (TDS)

❮ ❯

---

Experience

Adult Studio Visual Art Classes
2016 - present, Instructor, Faculty Art Verve Academy (AVA)
2012 - 2016, Teaching Artist, Faculty, The Drawing Studio (TDS)
2010 - 2014, Teaching Artist, Outreach Art Tutoring for Seniors (OATS) program

Professional Instructor-Led International Art Workshops
2019 Art Verve Excursion, Florence, Italy, sponsored by Art Verve Academy (AVA)
2017 Art Verve Excursion, Florence, Italy, hosted by Art Verve Academy (AVA)

Professional Demonstrations or Lectures
2025 Apr. 16, "It's all about the Underpainting!" TPS Art Center
2024 Nov. 20, "PanPastel® Crash Course," TPS Art Center
2023 Nov. 15, "All About Degas!" TPS Art Center
2022 Jan. 19, "How to Find Your Colorfulness!" TPS Art Center
2016 Aug. 11, "The Language of Color," The Quilt Basket
2015 Oct. 3, "Bringing Color Harmony into Your Paintings," Kiva Auditorium, Junior League
2015 May 17, "Open House Drawing Demonstration," The Drawing Studio
2015 Jan. 15, "A New Approach to Color,"
2014 Sep. 13, "A Systems Approach to Painting," Albuquerque Museum of Art, New Mexico
2013 Nov. 13, "Art Marketing in the 21st Century," St.James United Methodist Auditorium

Professional Art Critiques (beginners to intermediates)
2016 - present, Instructor, Faculty Art Verve Academy (AVA)

Professional Art Critiques (intermediates to advanced)
2012 - 2016, private & group critiques for Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) members