I am a classically trained artist and received my BFA from Boston University and got my M.Ed. In Art Therapy in 1976. After traveling to speak in China with a colleague about Safe Place as an Art Therapy directive, Dr Richardson , Our Chinese colleague Wang Chunhong, and I wrote a chapter on our experience in the text book, Art Therapy in Asia. Even on zoom, Kathy Leader provides a safe space to make art. She personifies the Traditional Chinese Medicine concept of Dao Yen, loosely translated into - to guide. We had a class on January 6. All of us came to group upset. Some people even kept the news on as we worked. Kathy led us through a breathing exercise and encouraged us to put aside everything but our art for the next hour and a half. I stopped hearing the news in the background and became completely engaged in art making. I felt like a weight was lifted as I worked. Having rarely worked in mixed media and hating my color and design courses in college, taking Kathy's class was a real stretch for me. I decided to try it because I believe Art heals and I needed a push to make art during this Covid depression. I have enjoyed learning concepts of composition and how to use mixed media and am constantly surprised at how I progress each week. Kathy is a terrific teacher/ guide. Andrea Gollub read more

I took workshops with Kathy about three years ago and had a wonderful experience. Not only are Kathy's classes a great way to explore the Artist within, but Kathy has every attribute you would want in a teacher. She is encouraging, supportive and knows her stuff. I love the title, "The Art Process" as it speaks volumes to me as to how much fun and how much artistic satisfaction I get while in the process of creating and the process of learning. I just got back from Kathy's weekend Art Retreat in Santa Barbara. There were so many things about it that were positive. Thanks Kathy for providing an environment where I was able to explore, create, and feel inspired both artistically and spiritually. read more

I highly recommend Kathy's mixed media class for adults. If you're looking for a place to ignite your creative spark in a safe and supportive environment, then look no further. The Art Process is all of those things and more. You do not have to be an artist or have any prior experience. Her teaching methods are all about getting in touch with your innate creativity and bypassing the ever present "inner critic." It's not about perfecting your technique, or learning how to do art in a specific way. In fact, it's the exact opposite. You will learn how to let go and trust your intuition. Additionally (and perhaps most importantly), her workshops are so much fun! I also love her studio - it's a bright and inviting space with beautiful views. read more

I just started Kathy's wonderful mixed media class on Monday. Kathy is a wonderful art teacher. I have never done anything like mixed media but she is sharing her many artistic skills and introducing me to many techniques and ways of expressing myself in art. The time flies by. She also gives us a wonderful tea break and serves her homemade chai tea. I am enjoying this great class. The small class size also means that each person get attention too. read more

I highly recommend Kathy's mixed media classes, workshops and retreats! Kathy teaches so many different techniques using a variety of materials of tools. I especially love that Kathy emphasizes the process of creating art rather than just the end product. She encourages each of her students to create art that reflects their individual style. This makes her classes so relaxing and joyful. Kathy cultivates a community-type atmosphere of kindness, collaboration, and friendship! I highly recommend The Art Process as your next art venture! -Kim read more

I attended a 1 day in person art class with The Art Process and really enjoyed it. I'm a total art beginner and was nervous about going, but Kathy and everyone was very welcoming. Kathy focuses on process as well as some technical art guidance and works great with any level of experience you have. read more

Kathy had an awesome class that allowed us to learn, have fun and get creative. It was a great experience and definitely recommend for team building! read more

The Art Process - Art Classes Near Me - Los Angeles, California

As someone who considered herself NOT a visual artist, I am amazed by what I have created in Kathy's classes. She is so adept at introducing techniques one step at a time so you can focus on what's in front of you instead of worrying about the final product. Her classes are perfect for beginners and for experienced artists. I'm always astonished to see the range of pieces created from the same prompts. Plus, her studio is beautiful and the setting so peaceful that being there for even 3 hours feels like you're on a retreat. Creating art there is like a form of moving meditation. read more

I booked Kathy of The Art Process for a lunchtime art workshop at my office to provide our employees with an opportunity to do something fun, relaxing, and explore their creativity. The event was a big success and we are looking to book another class later this year. Kathy and her assistant were professional, knowledgeable, and so easy to work with. The booking process was easy, they were on time, brought all supplies so we only had to supply paper towels, and they set up and cleaned so it was NO WORK for me. Easy peasy and I get credit for doing something to strengthen company morale and improve office culture! read more

Kathy is an inspirational teacher and artist. Originally I attended a 1 day workshop in person and currently I'm taking the 6 week Mixed Media/Collage Workshop on Zoom. Kathy's approach on Zoom makes you feel like you are in a person to person workshop. I'm learning much more than simply collage - what Kathy teaches lends itself to other mediums also. The design techniques rolls over to my painting and other art endeavors. I've also joined The Art Process Meditation group and Kathy's warm and intuitive presence really does open your mind and releases your creative spirit. Even if you have never felt yourself an artist Kathy will gently guide you to realize your creativity! read more

I wanted to take a mixed media art class and stumbled on this. Indicated it was the artist's studio in a beautiful place. Really wanted to take a class so not much to loss. Kathy's studio is in a beautiful place with a view of a canyon that can make LA a wonderful place to live. Kathy is genuinely warm and welcoming Kathy had a few opening exercises to get us started. They were really effective at jump starting the process.. Kathy demonstrated and encouraged us to explore different techniques and variations....not to be afraid to step out of our comfort zone. I looked at my piece a couple of days later and saw that I was able to step out near the end. The day flew by. I barely finished, if there is a finish. I was exhausted. It was a wonderful day. I plan on taking any other classes Kathy offers. She is an artist and she is a wonderful teacher/leader/guide. Thoroughly delightful and joyful day! read more

I have been my spending free time over the past few months reading and watching YouTube to learn as much as possible about mixed media collage. I finally decided to give Kathy's class a try and I'm so glad I did. Her instructions are clear, with just the right balance of guidance and creativity. I have already inquired about another class. Thank you, Kathy, for the care you take in making this experience rewarding for your students. read more

A day with Kathy in her beautiful studio is cheaper than therapy and more effective. She calls her classes the art process because she truly emphasizes the process and not the outcome. Kathy gently guides her grateful students in two or three easy techniques that we can use in our creations. She strikes just the right balance between instruction, encouragement and freedom. I sign up for every weekend workshop I can go to (and bring my husband with me) and am truly jealous of the people who are able to take Kathy's weekday classes. She will be hosting a weekend art retreat in October, and I just can't wait! read more

I had Kathy host a virtual art lesson for my community college, and it was just what we needed in this time of boredom and uncertainty. Kathy created a welcoming and engaging environment for our students with her easy-to-follow instructions and encouraging attitude. Everyone had a great time. Definitely recommend her services! read more

I would highly recommend Kathy's art classes for children. My 4 year-old daughter thoroughly enjoys every moment in Kathy's idyllic studio. We drive past it on the way to pre-school and she inevitably asks, "Is there art class today?" Kathy has a creative way of stimulating young minds to express themselves through art. She is a kind and gentle teacher, keeps parents informed, and sends us home with beautiful original pieces that our children have made. read more

We invited Kathy Leader to present a workshop to our Collage Artists of America group. We had 16 participants and enjoyed the great energy Kathy provided. We altered papers and created unique surfaces with paints and mediums. Kathy also gave us a mini lesson in composition that gave us the tools to complete our projects. I have taken many workshops and I personally enjoyed Kathy's accepting and encouraging process. I would love to go to a follow up class to continue to explore the possibilities of altering papers and making compositions! read more

I took the collage/mixed media workshop. It was a very enjoyable way to spend the day. The environment was lovely, the people in the class were nice and Kathy showed me some new techniques. I never really liked collage until I took Kathy's class. Kathy has a very soothing and inspiring energy and I would not hesitate to take more classes from her. read more

My daughter has been attending workshops at this marvelous studio for 3 years now. We feel really lucky to have found this Gem - The Art Process is a place of creativity, which helps your child connect with their inner art voice, find confidence and learn the technique! It is designed to work with various age groups and abilities... Could not recommend this art studio enough!!! read more

I had attended several of Kathy's couple hour to half-day workshops previously and just attended my first all-day (6 hour) one of hers yesterday. In addition to all of the positive qualities I mentioned in my 3/7/16 review below being true, this longer workshop allowed the bonuses of more processing of the experience at different points, more bits of teaching of technical options by Kathy, and more leisurely creative process. You leave Kathy's classes wanting to find a way to set up a little studio in your home to do art daily! read more

I look forward to the class every week! It is so Freeing to work with this style of art. You start with one thing and end with a piece you didn't expect. Kathy is wonderful at helping you express your creativity. I Love The Art Process!! read more

Kathy's classes are for all ages and levels of artist. I would not consider myself an artist and yet at every one of her workshops my inner artist comes out! That is because she is all about the process and making you feel comfortable to express yourself without judgement or pressure to produce. This is a fabulous way to reduce tension and have fun! She will cater to your needs, whether you want a private party or to join a workshop. She is calm and supportive. Try it! read more

I had been hearing such rave reviews from my friends about Kathy and her art classes for children and had been trying to coordinate a time for my children to attend her classes. Since it couldn't work out with our schedules, I asked Kathy if she would be willing to teach a monthly family workshop for me (the mom) and my 2 children (6 and 8 years). Thankfully, she said "yes!" This hour that my children and I spend learning and connecting through art is my favorite hour of the month! Kathy guides - doesn't do the work - the artist while pointing out shapes and creative ideas, using recycled materials stimulating my children (and my) creativity. She is gentle and kind and so knowledgable about artists and various mediums of work. Her home art studio is also an environment perfectly set up for any artist to be artistic and in a zen frame of mind. I cannot recommend Kathy more for her children's classes, her adult classes and her private classes. She helps to pull out the artist in all of us. read more