Today we’d like to introduce you to David Jamieson and Melinda Whitmore.
Thanks for sharing your story with us David and Melinda. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
We began making plans to open Vitruvian Fine Art Studio in 2005. We had both been teaching for a few years at an art college here in Chicago, and while we loved working with students, there were many aspects of teaching in a formal, institutional setting that we just didn’t enjoy. Over time, we got wondering whether opening a private studio would allow us to preserve the parts of teaching we loved, and ditch the parts we didn’t. After of few months of planning, we opened Vitruvian and left our college teaching positions in 2006.
It was a leap, but we were confident that what we had to offer could have broad appeal. Millions of people around the world aspire to make beautiful drawings and paintings, but clear, effective and accessible instruction can be surprisingly difficult to find. If we could just find enough people to trust us to get them to where they want to go with their artwork, Vitruvian Studio could be a viable, sustainable project.
In the end, it was a risk that paid off. Now, in our 12th year of operation, we continue to love working with students, and have the luxury of teaching exactly what and how we wish. Our workload has increased, as we’re now responsible for the whole operation: teaching, marketing, bookkeeping, cleaning and maintenance of the studio, website development, and so on. Yet, we’re both much happier. It feels different doing these things for your own business, than it does having them assigned to you by a boss or department head. We feel a pride of ownership in this business that has propelled us through the tedious bits.
Has it been a smooth road?
After nearly 12 years in business, our core mission remains unchanged: making clear, effective instruction in representational drawing and painting available to students of all levels in a friendly environment. But there have been some challenges. Particularly in the years following the 2008 market crash, enrollment dropped and things got scary. In looking for ways to grow, the idea of teaching online seemed appealing.
We now have 4 online courses available through our website, with more on the way. These courses have extended our reach to a large new community of students, and we’re humbled to have earned the trust of so many people around the world. But it wasn’t easy getting there. Neither of us knew much about how to make these things, and had to learn on the job. Recording and editing quality audio and video, and putting together a website platform to host it on, are just two of the many challenges involved. In 2013, we launched our first online course in portrait drawing, and have put out a new course every year since.
It’s been a heavy lift for a couple of artists, but it’s also made a huge difference in how we do things here. Each new online course we make provides an opportunity to rethink how we teach a given subject, which has a ripple-effect on how we teach at the studio. And the extra revenue they generate makes fluctuations in enrollment at the studio a little less scary. It’s been a huge step forward for us.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Vitruvian Fine Art Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
Vitruvian Studio exists for students to learn the skills of realistic drawing and painting. Anyone who’s ever tried to draw a portrait, or paint a still life that really looks like the subject, understands how tricky this can be. Some amount of instruction and guidance is really necessary, and our students make progress sequentially, over time. This is what distinguishes our classes from what you might find at many art colleges, or even at the local parks district, where the emphasis might be more on “self-expression” and having fun with art. Instead, we seek to attract students who are looking to develop a skill set, and are prepared to work for it.
Think about what it takes to learn a new language, or learn to play a musical instrument. We all understand that progress in these disciplines comes gradually and with lots of practice. We encourage students to bring the same expectation to learning to draw and paint.
Although learning to do this isn’t easy, we don’t really believe in “talent” either. The idea that some people are born with natural ability and others aren’t doesn’t really match our experience. Instead, drawing skill come from having a sound process, informed by logic and understanding, and developed with practice. We try to provide a friendly, non-judgmental environment in which students can develop their abilities over time.
Finally, we like to teach by demonstration where possible. Students learn better if they can see examples of what to do and watch the process unfold. The techniques we teach are how we work ourselves, and where possible, we try to work alongside our students so they can see what to do, and not just hear about it.
Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so – who are they and what role did they plan / how did they help.
Our biggest cheerleaders, by far, have been our students, and we really owe them everything. Back when Vitruvian Fine Art Studio was just an idea, it was our students who encouraged us to try as they were as excited by the prospect as we were. Many of our students have become good friends, and we’re continually grateful for their presence in our lives.
Pricing:
- Pricing: 8 week courses are $320
- 4 week courses are $200
- and when available- Week long Workshops are $500
Contact Info:
- Address: 1735 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60622
- Website: www.VitruvianStuduo.com
- Phone: 312.519.7206
- Email: contact@vitruvianstudio.com
- Instagram: @vitruvianstudio
- Facebook: @vitruvian.fine.art
Image Credit:
1. David teaching a portrait drawing workshop. Photo by Melinda Whitmore,
2. Vitruvian student Ashly Mcloney Griffith. Photo by Matthew Bowie,
3. Melinda demonstrating with student Derek Viramonte. Photo by Matthew Bowie,
4. Vitruvian student Xiao Dong. Photo by Matthew Bowie,
5. Vitruvian student Ashley Mitchell. Photo by Matthew Bowie, 6. David with student Melissa Wallin.
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