Teen Portfolio Development
Michelle works selectively with high school and middle school students developing portfolios for college and art school applications. Her approach emphasizes building a substantive body of work rather than producing projects simply to satisfy admissions requirements.
Drawing on her experience teaching drawing, painting, and portfolio development, Michelle helps students strengthen observation and technique while developing greater independence, visual judgment, and clarity about their individual interests.
Mentorship may include drawing and painting instruction, project development, critique, portfolio editing and sequencing, documentation, and guidance in presenting a coherent body of work. Each course of study is developed around the student’s existing abilities, ambitions, and application timeline.
Selected Admissions Outcomes
Students Michelle has mentored in portfolio development have received offers of admission from institutions including Cornell, NYU, RISD, SVA, Parsons, Pratt, NYIT, FIT, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Portfolio students are accepted on a limited basis by inquiry.
View selected portfolio work by students:
Student Testimonials
“Learning one on one has been a great experience. Since beginning these sessions my technical skill has progressed exponentially. I now have a greater understanding of the visual arts and artistic processes. Working with Michelle has helped me advance as an artist and I am now pursuing an education in fine art.”
*Accepted to RISD, SVA, and Cornell University
— Maya Srinivasan
“At first, I was not entirely interested in having to set up a portfolio, as I wasn't too great at drawing, but throughout the experience, I was able to grow my drawing skills to a much higher degree than what they once were. My frustrations were easily overcome with the help from Michelle, as her help and advice led me to enjoying the experience by a massive degree, as well as to my being accepted by every single art school I applied to. It was an enjoyable, helpful, and enlightening experience. The drawing techniques and tricks have helped me very much in college.”
— Dan White
“Michelle has been an amazing art teacher, she helped me with my art portfolio for college. She taught me so much about drawing. Normally I would just dive right in without actually thinking too much about the detail of what I was drawing. Michelle taught me how to find smaller details and how to create them. She is an excellent teacher and I was very lucky to be taught by her.”
— Ashley Mann
“Michelle taught in a manner that allowed me to explore and learn on my own without guiding me to the point where the learning aspect of the class was eliminated. She offered techniques to better my artwork, which I continue to apply in every piece I approach and bring to completion. Overall, I noticed a significant skill improvement, as well as an increase in my knowledge of art in general.”
*Accepted with scholarships to SVA and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
— Jessica Mennella
“Michelle is a truly skilled teacher who found ways to effectively teach art in a fun and concise manner. She went the extra mile to make sure each student received the personal attention they needed, which is a difficult balance to strike when teaching 10+ students! I learned so much while attending her class!”
*Attended NYIT
— Peter Thompson
“Before I started taking classes with Michelle, I didn't really think that much about art. I didn't start genuinely appreciating and understanding its history, expression, etc. until Michelle taught me. I noticed that I also improved at drawing forms, analyzing them, and really understanding color/themes, which I am very grateful for. You have a very precise and intricate way of teaching art- you start from the basics and really make your students understand what they are seeing before they start on canvas. You give good advice and know how to convey your opinions in a subtle way.”
*Attended FIT
— Sandi Shao
“Taking classes with Michelle has greatly augmented my abilities and knowledge of art. I have learned many new, useful techniques which help me to be a better artist and understand how to create powerful pieces that are both interesting and accurate. I now have multiple problem solving strategies up my sleeve when drawing, and I also have a stronger sense of motivation in art with the knowledge I have acquired from her classes. I feel as though I have a greater understanding of art and its many mediums.”
— Katelyn Donahue
“Learning from you has been an amazing experience. Not only have you taught me how to take my time while drawing but to also understand a drawing's components. After attending the many classes I took with you I noticed my work slowly improve. I understood how to approach drawing and was much more open to a new way of working. Not only have you helped guide me, taken your time to speak to me about my work, and really helped me as a student, you've also helped me become a better artist. The first class was tough. I wasn't used to working the way you were trying to teach me. As soon as I listened and understood your approach, I followed what you said and applied the new concept. Since then I've improved drastically. You're hands down one of the best teachers I've had the pleasure of learning from.”
— Isabella Brand
“I am forever grateful to have been Michelle's student. I had the amazing opportunity to learn so much from her. She is not only a great teacher but also a caring, humble, and wonderful person. She's the kind of art teacher I would recommend to anyone, especially young students who are still discovering who they are as artists. She will take the time to know you, learn about what inspires you and motivate you to express your inner voice through your artwork. At the same time she is great at explaining all the technical aspects of drawing, she will teach you all the things you need to know helping you every step of the way. I am grateful to her for helping me build confidence in myself as an artist, for teaching me so many things that helped me develop my artistic skills and for sharing her knowledge and passion for art.”