Art with Sara - Instructors

Teaches at Art with Sara

​Melissa Rose
I first realized that I had a knack for art when I was in the first grade.  A girl sitting next to me was drawing people in shapes instead of stick figures.  I looked at it and said, “I can do that!” And I did.    

From then on, I identified as the “Artist”.  I often received awards for “Most Artistic”, or “Most Creative.”  I was always drawing, (doodling on my papers), and taking as many art classes as I could.  I sold my first painting in my Junior year of high school at an auction. When it was time to graduate from high school, I did not know what I wanted to do, only that I wanted a  job that would somehow involve art.  I attended Biola University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in May of 2010.     

I started working for Art with Sara in January of 2011.  I count myself lucky to have found a job I love so much, so early in my career. I have always loved working with kids, and I get such joy by passing on my passion and knowledge to the next generation. In my spare time I watch movies with my amazing husband, attempt to write my first graphic novel, or just hang out with my cat, Jean-Luc.

Samuel Silva
Samuel’s journey into art started with one book “How to Draw the Marvel way.” At the age of seven he was drawing cityscapes in perspective as well as his own comic strips, this love ofcomics and cartoons would lead him to The Art Institute of Orange County;where he would major in animation. During this time he was able to travel to France and England, where he lived for a couple of years. He was infused with a passion and excitement for fine art! Upon returning home, he devoured all knowledge of different mediums;from tattooing, oil painting, encaustics, etc. There would be no medium untested. 

After graduating with a Bachelors in Animation, Samuel found himself at the door of the City of Pico Rivera. There he would teach for three years at all the elementary schools, bringing fine art and industrial arts to the children. His journey does not end at Pico however, after leaving Pico he approached a wonderful art school known as Art with Sara, with his love for teaching he has remained there for three years and shall continue to, for it is more than a job to him - it is a passion!

Yadira Gutierrez (by Sara Meeker, Owner)
Yadira walked into the studio with her mother and baby sister. I asked if she was an artist, and she said "Oh not really, I'm here to inquire about classes for my sister." She quietly stood there while I talked with her mother, who mentioned Yadira's talent for telling a story visually. I eventually coaxed her to show me her portfolio on her facebook page. It knocked my socks off. I couldn't believe this incredible talent had stood there in the background so quiet and modest. I was instantly endeared. I couldn't afford a new hire at the time, but I made sure to snag her phone number and email address. As soon as I was ready to hire, she was the one I knew I had to have here. She has a great knack for creating hilarious characters with a lot of expression, so I put her talent to work and she has created some of the most memorable characters for our programs. This is invaluable because our students are willing to do all the work we require of them because they enjoy learning from characters they can relate to.

Priscilla Amezcua (by Sara Meeker, Owner)
Priscilla started out as one of my very first students in our Teen/Adult Program. She was one of those  rare prodigies. Every concept I taught her, she just "got" and added her special touch. Just when I knew I had to start looking for an addition to our staff, Priscilla asked if I was hiring. I took her up on it immediately before some other boss could get lucky enough to hire her. She was incredibly easy to train because she had already been a student here and understood the program. She fits in so perfectly because like the other Instructors, she can execute a masterpiece quickly and with ease, and has her own distinct style of creating characters. I don't know how I keep getting so lucky in the talented staff department.

Angelica Gonzalez
Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved to draw but I never really realized it would be my career choice until I started 6th grade. My friends introduced me into the Japanese style of drawing called anime. I started drawing more, and my friends said I should make it a career. It wasn’t until junior year when I finally made up my mind. I accidentally found a small art studio called Art with Sara, and after attending one class I knew this is what I wanted to do. I took her classes for three years and as fate would have it, I became an instructor there! I’m currently attending East LA College with a major in Studio Art/Art History but I feel I already learned from the best!

Isabel Silva
I attend Cal State University Fullerton as an Art Major with a focus in Animation.  From a young age I was interested in drawing. I first started after discovering an old sketch book of my mother’s and it inspired me. I was influenced by the cartoons and movies I watched group up, and developed my art style to represent such shows. I was completely self-taught until I attended college, which has shaped and improved my skills during the past four years. After growing up as a self-taught artist, I understood just how important an art class like at Art with Sara can be to help children develop their art skills from a young age

Joey Barrios
I am currently attending Rio Hondo College with an Art Major under animation/Illustration.  I’ve always had the urge to draw from what I’ve seen on television and animated Disney films. I would draw many things as a child, ranging from cartoons to comic book characters. During elementary school, I recall the other kids asking me to draw something for them because they knew I was able to understand the notion to draw shapes and figures better than the students in the same grade. So ever since then, that hobby manifested into a passion and I now work on a range of genres such as anime, comic book art, figure drawing, and caricatures. I always admired the concept of ideas becoming more than what they are in your head and into the world to see.