StudioWork is the educational programming branch of my studio in downtown Easton, PA, offering weekly classes, weekend workshops, online courses, mentorships, and immersive residency programs — all designed to serve both curious beginners and experienced artists committed to deepening their craft.
Programming includes drawing, painting, plein air, figure drawing and painting, and more — all rooted in the belief that consistent, cumulative practice is essential to developing authentic, informed, work. Rather than adhering to a single methodology or atelier model, StudioWork strikes a balance between technical skill-building and intuitive, exploratory practice. Structure without rigidity. Guidance with room to grow.
Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your creativity, sharpen your skills, or take your work to the next level, there’s a place for you here.
At its core, this program is about helping artists strengthen their foundational skills while developing their individual creative voice. When those skills are solid, artists gain the freedom to create anything they imagine — and when that growth happens in a shared space of practice, critique, and encouragement, it’s all the more powerful.
It's about more than just acquiring techniques; it's about cultivating a meaningful and sustainable practice over time while discovering your singular creative voice.
If you're just starting out or returning to your practice with renewed focus, StudioWork offers a space to learn, grow, and create with intention.
Located just off the circle in Easton’s historic downtown, my goal is establish the studio as a cultural and educational destination spot, fostering creativity and educational programming in Easton and the broader Lehigh Valley—As a working artist’s studio, a teaching center, and a gallery for exhibitions, student shows, and visiting artists.
This year marks my 25th year teaching as both an independent instructor and Adjunct Professor of Art at local universities in the Lehigh Valley. I’ve had the privilege of working with students of all skill levels, teaching painting, drawing, figure drawing and painting, and plein air workshops in settings ranging from university classrooms to local parks; large groups to personalized mentorships. StudioWork is both the culmination of that experience and the beginning of something new. I’m excited to work with you.
We welcome artists at all levels who are ready to engage deeply with their work in a thoughtful, supportive environment.
Explore upcoming programs,
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SUMMER 2025 WEEKLY CLASSES
Half Session: April 1-May 6, 2025
Half Session: May 13-June 17,2025
Tuesdays 9-12 at Adriano Farinella Studio, Easton Pa
Half Session (6 weeks) : $450
Full Session (12 weeks) : $900
Some painting experience is recommended (beginner classes coming soon)
*Class size is limited to 8 in this session.
This is an open-studio painting class meaning students receive individualized guidance on their chosen specific projects while in a group studio environment.
Open-Studio classes are the in-person extension of the online StudioWork Mentorship Series. Both are designed to meet students where they are in their practice and address any technical questions with skill-building exercises, painting demos, and practical guidance while also becoming aware of any creative mindset challenges that might be holding up progress or limiting growth.
Before the first class, we’ll meet in person, on zoom, or by email to discuss your goals and set an individualized plan for your studio time. We’ll make a workflow, gather and review resources like photos to paint from if needed, and discuss how best to use the studio time to accomplish your short term technical goals as well as goals for the end of the 8 week session. Each student receives a StudioWork Journal with some writing prompts to help keep your mindset clear and your goals and accomplishments in check. Plus an assignment to write a brief statement about the work you’ll be making in class. (I’ll have lots of guidance for you on this so don’t worry if you’ve never done it before).
Students will finish the eight week class having definitively accomplished a project and written a brief artist statement about the work and process. We’ll present both in a final group critique on the last day of class. All of that while having the added benefit of building the kind of camaraderie, accountability, and support unique to a working studio environment.
All subject matter is welcome. There are no limits on subject or medium. All that is required is a plan of goals to address and accomplish by the end of 8 weeks. Past student projects include figure or portrait from photo, landscape or still life from photo, abstract, old master copies, planning and building a body of work, etc.
NEW OFFERING!
Open Studio / Figure Drawing Weekly Workshop
January 16 - February 20, 2025
THURSDAYS / 6 - 9 pm / $450
This 6 week class is designed to teach beginner and intermediate level students to draw the figure from direct observation. We will learn how to build a figure drawing from a straight-line block-in to a clean line drawing and finish with a fully rendered figure drawing.
We will cover gesture drawing, comparative measurements, value, and more.
Students will draw from both male and female nude models.
SUPPLIES:
Graphite pencils -Any set will be fine but I recommend getting extra HB’s because we use those the most. Be sure to have 2B, B, HB, H, 2H as well.
Compressed charcoal and vine charcoal
Strathmore 400 Medium Drawing Paper 18 x 24
Newsprint pad 18 × 24 (for gesture drawing)
Kneaded eraser, white eraser, drafting eraser
Pencil sharpener or lead pointer
NEW OFFERING!
SKY & CLOUDS & LAND & AIR / IN PERSON WEEKLY WORKSHOP
March 22 - April 26, 2025
SATURDAYS / 10 - 1 pm / $450
A 6 week in-person SCLA program featuring all the theory and practice from the online class plus live demos and deep dives into the fundamentals of landscape painting. The 3-hour weekly class format will give students time and space to explore the fundamentals of value, composition, working with a limited palette, and the sketching mindset; then translate all of that working knowledge into creating a studio painting during the second half of the course. All skill levels are welcome and great for beginners.
For a comprehensive look at the SCLA course please check out SCLA EASTON & SCLA ONLINE. There are sample videos, demos, and a materials list on both pages.
This workshop isn’t a step by step on how to paint clouds from photos, although I explain and demonstrate exactly what steps I use and map out a comprehensive workflow for students to follow. So, yes, we paint landscapes with an emphasis on clouds and sky but…This program was designed to serve the bigger issue of developing a consistent creative practice and getting the absolute most out the time spent in the studio. It’s about creating a practice and then practicing practice which ultimately leads to skill building, proficiency, a catalog of sketches to pull from when making studio paintings, and most importantly, a relationship with your creative practice that allows for more growth and expansion beyond the subject matter.
So clouds and sky and land and air are the vehicle we use to get to creative proficiency, or at the very minimum, to get us to a place where we are more comfortable and confident during the search for our singular creative voice.
Sky & Clouds & Land & Air - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Level 1 / Painted Sketch Inventions & Variations on a Theme
Level 2 / Developing a Studio Painting from Your Sketches
January 24 -February 28, 2025
Fridays 12 - 2pm EST
$650
A 6 week ONLINE SCLA program featuring both level 1 and 2. Students start by learning about the sketching mindset while painting along with weekly live demos and transition to the studio mindset by using those sketches to make larger paintings. Live demos and deep dives into the fundamentals of landscape painting, plus daily Q&As. The 2-hour weekly class format will give students time and space to explore the fundamentals of value, composition, working with a limited palette, and the sketching mindset; then translate all of that working knowledge into creating a studio painting during the second half of the course. All skill levels are welcome and great for beginners. EVERY STUDENT RECEIVES A 30 MINUTE ONE-ON-ONE SESSION EVERY WEEK!
For a comprehensive look at the SCLA course where you can see sample videos, a materials list, and testimonials, please check out SCLA ONLINE page.
This workshop isn’t a step by step on how to paint clouds from photos, although I explain and demonstrate exactly what steps I use and map out a comprehensive workflow for students to follow. So, yes, we paint landscapes with an emphasis on clouds and sky but…This program was designed to serve the bigger issue of developing a consistent creative practice and getting the absolute most out the time spent in the studio. It’s about creating a practice and then practicing practice which ultimately leads to skill building, proficiency, a catalog of sketches to pull from when making studio paintings, and most importantly, a relationship with your creative practice that allows for more growth and expansion beyond the subject matter.
So clouds and sky and land and air are the vehicle we use to get to creative proficiency, or at the very minimum, to get us to a place where we are more comfortable and confident during the search for our singular creative voice.
THE STUDIO
This building situated in the heart of downtown Easton’s historic district, houses the gallery, workshop room, my studio, office, plus some storage rooms and a little kitchenette. It’s an easy walk to all downtown eateries, farmer’s market, and Delaware/Lehigh Rivers.
45 N. Sitgreaves Street
Easton, Pennsylvania
Hours: By Appointment (for now)
Call, text, email : 610-739-1247
45 N. Sitgreaves Street
Easton, Pennsylvania, 18042
N Sitgreaves is technically an ‘alley’ so there is no parking. I would suggest parking on Spring Garden Street between N 2nd and N 3rd Streets. Or the 4th Street parking garage a block away behind the Easton Public Market. I would also recommend downloading the free Park Mobile App. It’s works like EZ Pass where it’s preloaded with a dollar amount which can then be used for your parking meter. It send notifications to your phone when you’re 15 minutes from meter time expiring and allows for remote extensions of meter time
Hours
By Appointment For Now
Phone
(610)739-1247
ABOUT STAYING IN EASTON,PA
Easton is an amazing community and I love it here for so many reasons. My building is right downtown in the historic district and a two minute walk to our town square. There’s lots of restaurants, great little shops, a huge historic hotel, a lovely new boutique hotel, the fantastic Easton Public Market, and the convergence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers all within walking distance. For a comprehensive list and map of all the downtown shops visit shopdowntowneaston. Below are some of my favorites that make up the heart of this city.
Hotels
The Grand Eastonian - Lovely big hotel within an easy under-five-minute walk from my studio. Lots of students book this place when they come to Easton because it’s so close.
Townly House - Gorgeous boutique hotel - less than a five minute walk from my studio. Pricey but truly beautiful.
AirBnb
AirBnbs like this one are few and far between in Easton for some reason so if you find one, especially downtown, book it.
Food & Restaurants
The Easton Public Market - our beloved market that breathed so much new life into downtown. Fun fact: their grand opening several years ago was the first day of my first plein air workshop in Easton! They have some of the best vendors around. Here are my absolute favorites:
Mr. Lee’s Noodles - amazing Ramen. Chef Lee is James Beard Award winning chef and has several other restaurants including nearby Bolete (another fun fact: I was super honored to be asked to furnish Bolete with paintings when they first opened years ago. It’s my favorite restaurant for many reasons but it has a special place in my heart because they gave me a chance to show my work back then). Anyway, the Ramen is spectacular and I’m happy bringing visitors there all the time.
The Modern Crumb - The croissants from this place are perfection…Everything is really. (Our first morning meeting will have some treats from here)
Mangia Carne - Butcher Shop. Sandwich Haven. Italian Market. You might recognize Chef Luca Manfè as the winner of Masterchef. He’s here in Easton making amazing food. This is a great spot for sandwiches and charcuterie. Luca provided amazing food for my grand opening.
Crepes at Casa - Savory breakfast and lunch crepes are amazing. Sweet crepes with Nutella and strawberries…omg. Andrea also runs the clothing shop Casa 401 and Queso at Casa! She provided some of the amazing food at my grand opening!
Green Vida - So many great fresh juices, vegetarian options, and one the best breakfast sandwiches ever.
Kabinett Wine Bar - My favorite place downtown for fine dining. Exquisite and artful dishes, amazing wine list, lovely staff. By summer 2024 they will open an amazing addition to their restaurant—a general store with coffees, teas, groceries, and a bottle shop.
Bar Torino - Exquisite wine bar with pizza and small plate charcuterie features. Right around the corner from my studio and perfect for lunch!
Thyme Rooftop Grille - modern cuisine, amazing views overlooking the Delaware River.
Sette Luna - Rustic Italian with excellent wood oven pizza. It’s one of my favorite places for group dinners after workshops.
Meli - Mediterranean cuisine, amazing cocktails, great atmosphere
Mesa - Modern Mexican with some of the best guacamole around.
Third & Ferry Fish Market - Fresh fish dishes and a hearty fish n chips dish.
Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine - delicious Indian dishes and they have a new outdoor dining courtyard
Tokyo Sushi - take out sushi right up the street from the studio
SweetGirlz Bakery - right around the corner and across the street for delicious baked goods and epic cupcakes.
Coffee and Ice Cream
Three Birds Coffee House - The best coffee shop! And it’s only steps away from my studio. They have a satellite shop called Nest in the Easton Public Market.
Bank Street Creamery - Sweet little ice cream shop down one of the cutest Easton alleys
Fitness (Just in case you want to get some workouts and/or yoga in while you’re here visiting)
Easton Yoga - Award winning studio with lots of classes and instructors and right up the street
The Valley Om - Another award winning yoga studio in Easton. This one isn’t quite within walking distance but only about a five minute car ride.
Shops
For a comprehensive list and map of all the downtown shops visit shopdowntowneaston
Mercantile Home - artfully hand made home accessories…(go buy a squirrel!)
Casa 401 - Small batches of sustainable Goods. Marketplace Celebrating Independent Creators. Fashion Goods, Accessories.
Wegmans - the best grocery store and only about a ten minute-ish drive or you can instacart it if you’re staying at an airbnb.