Kami Mendlik - Page - Testimonials

Student Testimonials

"So many workshops are little more than demonstrations of how a particular artist paints, but Kami’s workshop is different. I learned more in one week with her than I have in months (even years) in various classes and workshops around the world. Kami’s focus is on teaching students how to see, not how to paint, and this makes all the difference. I walked away from her workshop with answers and with a clear path on how to move forward." - Nan D.

"Kami’s short, targeted exercises are designed to help you think through your entire approach to a painting, whether it is a still life or a landscape. The exercises taught me to see the subtle plane changes that give form to objects. I’ve learned to see where color gets lighter/darker, warmer/cooler, more saturated/less saturated, and more importantly, why this happens. Her instructional book, Color Relativity, is a must have for every artist, and her planal fruit sculptures have made it much easier for me to see the plane changes in real objects.

To borrow a line from Dave Ramsey, Kami has the “heart of a teacher”. When she sees that someone is a little lost, she finds a different way to explain the concept in simple terms, giving the student the foundation to move on to more complex topics when they are ready. When a student is more advanced, she adds depth to her explanations to meet the needs of each student. These are workshops you could take several times and get something more out of them each time. I highly recommend these workshops to painters of all abilities who want to take their work to the next level." - Laura R.

"Thank you so much for the class. I learned so much in this month. More than I have learned in a long time. I was telling my husband that the colors of the three paintings are completely different and more realistic that I have been working with for years. You are an amazing teacher. Thank you for your patience and encouragement. This was the first time I have worked with oil paint. I look forward to working with you again. I pray you would be blessed in your work and life. Thank you for sharing you knowledge with me." -Kim

"Another great sky and water class. You are the only artist that I have found who can teach me sky and water! And it seems still so complex. I always learn something or retain something in your class and this summer I will go out and apply it. I am studying skies and reflections constantly! I appreciate you —another great class! Thank you!" - Sara

"I just can't thank you enough for the wonderful workshop. I once again gained so much from the lessons, and from the feedback you gave to everyone. I could see the common mistakes that we make and will hopefully remember them. And you are always so positive about our work, encouraging us and pointing out our strengths as well. I know it's a journey and oh, what a blast it is.

I relished the feeling of knowing you had our backs. I could allow myself to try, and be ok with corrections, knowing you had our best interests in mind. You are truly a caring, encouraging and incredibly knowledgeable teacher.

I love having your Color Relativity book as a reference as we study the lessons. It is phenomenal to know we can go back and review your workshop demos, and work along with the exercises in the book to continue honing our fundamental painting skills and improving our knowledge, seeing and application of color." - Mary

"Not only is Kami Mendlik a masterful artist, but she is an incredible teacher as well! I’ve been taking her workshops for many years and without exception she does a first rate job! She meets you at your level, wherever you are in your journey as a painter, and she teaches just what you need to move to the next step in your growth. She invests 100%, all in, as she teaches each student in her workshops.

I can’t say enough good things about her as an artist, as a teacher and as a person as well!"

-E

"I have been taking weekly classes and workshops from Kami for over 5 years.Before starting classes with Kami, I had never painted in oil and was fairly new to painting. My paintings have developed to a point where I recently won awards at local Plein Air events. Kami has taught me so much, including how to paint en plein air, and homework exercises to strengthen the properties of color including hue, value, temperature, and saturation. Kami has a warm, engaging presence and gives fabulous critiques that are tailored to the student in their artistic development. She cares deeply and puts a lot of effort into helping each student reach their personal potential."

-Mary L

"Kami’s ability to create light, her use of color, and her strong composition first drew me across a full gallery to look at her work more closely. Her gifts as a teacher keep me studying with her. Here is why:
she has an uncanny intuitiveness about how to help each student grow from exactly where he or she is. She clearly articulates her understanding of light and color
and teaches methods or “tools“ with a devotion to helping her students grow and develop their own unique voices as artists."
-Kerin McTeigue O’Connor

“I have taken numerous courses and workshops with Kami over the last few years and could not be more grateful for her instruction, inspiration, and mentoring. She tailors her approach to each individual’s learning curve while maintaining a well-structured and cohesive approach to developing a good painting. I highly recommend any of her offerings.”
-Abigail Barrett

"It’s rare to find a great painter who is also a great teacher. Kami is both. Her teaching is based on the fundamentals of painting & design. I’ve taken lessons for 12 years & I continue to learn"
-Bonnie

"I am so fortunate to have found Kami and I recommend her classes to anyone with a passion to learn more about oil painting and especially about color. My first class with Kami was Color Mixing — it was like learning a bit of magic. Since then I’ve taken many classes and have always found her passionate and dedicated to educating and motivating all of her students. I’ve learned to see color more accurately with her guidance in plein air and studio classes and I leave every class inspired to paint more."

-Carol P

"I attended two of Kami's workshops last year and signed up for another this year. I see the world different from how I did before and it's evident in my paintings from before the workshops and after. I paint different, see colors different and have learned so much about composition, drawing and how to mix colors. I feel like I am on a more 'painterly' road and have more confidence in my abilities.

Thank you, Kami!"

-Sandy D

"Kami works with each of her students where they are, yet giving helpful and encouraging pushes toward improvement."

-Cindy

"Love this (PleinAir) painter/teacher! Inspiring, knowledgeable, thoughtful, generous, and fun.
(From a long-time student in her drawing, color, and oil painting classes.)"

-Karen S.

"I am so grateful every time I sit down to paint one note of color next to the other. After retirement I declared my third act to be a painter.I stood on the sidelines for many years watching plein air painters,amazed and intimidated by their work.

The third time I heard Kami Mendlik’s name as a teacher, I decided to seize the opportunity. That was three years ago. Kami’s classes have set me off on a journey of painting. Not just plein air, but portraits and painting paintings of precious moments to me.

Her fundamental class provided me with the background I never had before. Working with Kami has given me the confidence to pursue this passion of mine."

-Lauri C.

"Kami is an excellent teacher. She deftly balances her educational demos, personal encouragement and short and long term goal setting, with clear and concise critical observations of her students’ work. My personal growth as a painter expanded more during one semester of Kami’s instruction than in any other class I’ve taken before. I’m excited for her next class and her challenges for me as an artist."

-Susan E.

"Kami Mendlik has taught me to be patient, to slow down when painting and to paint with a philosophy that is the basis of Plein Air Masters, Kami included.

Kami is and amazing teacher and painter. She is able to convey her techniques in a way that is thoughtful and precise. I have grown as a painter. I see color in nature in a way that Kami could teach."

-Annette

"She is creative in her ways to explain concepts by stating it in different ways to her students. What sinks in for one student may not connect with another so she changes her language and approach to reach all levels and learning styles. She is very intuitive as to what her students need - to be encouraged to stretch or maybe pushed to the next level as well as celebrate their improvement along the way. "

"Her demos are always amazing! It is a real treat to see how she builds a painting and why she choose her image to demo - the mood, the emotion, the light. I am always amazed at what she chooses for a subject then how she transports the image into a work of beauty. She has the ability to zone out to do her work yet break into descriptions of what she is doing and why. You don’t just watch her paint, you hear what she is thinking along the way. And watching her brush work is like watching a conductor. I think she hears notes of color!"

"Always in a creative and upbeat mood to teach and inspire!
If you only do one thing for yourself as a painter this year take a class or workshop from Kami!
Many of her students come back year after year and there is a good reason for that!
She gets to the core of my pain and struggles. And gets me to the other side. Extremely articulate, frank but encouraging."

-Diane H

"Kami’s powerful insight into teaching Is a gift.

She breaks down the elements of painting into easily understood segments; light, dark, cool, warm colors, textures and shapes and has shown me how to create balanced designs.

I have learned how to simplify my ideas into beautiful paintings."

-C

"Since taking lessons from Kami, I’ve learned to see the world in a different way. By teaching me to paint, she has also taught me to notice and appreciate everything: colors, sky, clouds, trees, country roads, etc. Kami is masterful at teaching technique. She works with everyone in class appreciating differing abilities and experience. But, she also gets to the “heart” of painting, leaving her students more inspired."

-Teri

"Your creations are a celebration of God’s gift of our creation.

Your sharing of your painting is a way of spiriting us who behold what you have done. It is very spiritual

for us and I’m sure for you as the artist.

Blessings to you and yours."

Keith and Marlene L.