I'm super excited to announce my fall 2018 schedule for teaching at Bergen Community College.  I'm glad to be a part of Bergen again and to teach art and art history to a new group of students!  See you all then!  Anyone with questions can email me at esantoli@bergen.edu

  I have some exciting news to share with everyone about this upcoming fall 2018.  A little while ago, I was contacted by an organization called the American Artists Professional League (AAPL) in New York City about becoming a board member for their organization.  They contacted me because I'm an instructor at the Ridgewood Art Institute and the AAPL has held events at the Art Institute in the past.  The AAPL contacted me because they want to get a younger point of view on their member board.  Obviously, this is a huge honor and I'm very proud to help advance the organization in any way that I can.  I'm currently generating ideas which will help the AAPL connect with artists in a more modern way.
  For this fall, I will also being continuing to teach at the Ridgewood Art Institute, which I'm also extremely proud to be a part of.  I think my class (oil painting for young people) will still be Wednesdays 3:30 to 5:30PM, but I'll confirm that when we get closer to September.
  The final bit of news that I want to share is that I was just contacted by Bergen Community College to continue teaching Art 101 for the fall semester.  I took some time off from Bergen after having taught there from fall 2015 to spring 2017.  I really miss being a part of Bergen and I'm very happy to be back and teaching what I love.  I'm not currently sure which days and sections I'll be teaching at Bergen, but I will also share that information as soon as I get it.  So look for me around Bergen and in the weight room 💪
  Of course, I'll still be painting a lot and accepting commissions and selling work through my STORE and also on my Instagram.  Fall is my favorite season and it's looking like this will a very busy and exciting time of year!  Keep painting everyone and keep networking!

  1.  As yourself: How far along am I?  Is it almost finished?  If you're almost finished, then there might not be much hope, but don't give up too easily.  If you just started, then keep working and see how you feel when you push through the difficulties.

  2.  As yourself: Do I feel like I could do better if I redo it?  This is a tricky question because I honestly feel like I could always do better, but the point of this question is to realize when you can do better and when you should just be satisfied with what you have.

  3.  Show the artwork to your friends and family.  This is a tip that I learned really from reading the autobiography of the artist Norman Rockwell.  Rockwell used to show his paintings to everyone to get opinions...even his mailman!

  4.  Sleep on it!  I don't literally mean sleep on your artwork, but I mean get a good night's sleep and look at it again in the morning.  Sometimes you'll feel better the next day and you'll have a better perspective when you leave it be.

  5.  Never be afraid to redo something.  ​I know that sometimes a painting or drawing can feel like it took years to do (and sometimes they actually do!).  But it's important to remember that it's never too late to do it over again.  Stay strong and keep drawing and painting!  

  I'm sad to be leaving RHS today, but I had a wonderful time teaching a whole bunch of studio art courses.  I'm leaving with a lot of great memories and new friends.  I'm especially grateful to my awesome acrylic painting class (shown below).  Stay in touch and keep painting!