Liz Borst teaches advanced art classes to students ages 9-17 in Whitestone, NY. The small class size makes it easy for her to work individually with students and monitor their progress throughout the years. Many of the students have studied with Liz since first grade, and eventually show portfolios for entrance into NYC specialized high schools. Private lessons are available for HS and College admissions portfolio prep. The artists will learn to communicate feelings and ideas through their art, and understand the processes, techniques, and concepts they need to create exciting compositions.
New Student Registration through the Contact Page
New Student Registration through the Contact Page
Art Show June 2022
STUDENT GALLERY 2021-2022
Click on image for full view.
Click on image for full view.
STUDENT NEWS:
CONGRATULATIONS!
Olivia Paulino for her acceptance to St Francis Prep HS Honors Art Program
Keira Sestak for her Subway painting chosen for Exhibition at ArtsConnection! Over 600 students submitted their artworks.
James Franco- acceptance to MS Studio Arts Boot Camp Summer program at La Guardia HS.
Francesca Romano- acceptance to Bayside HS Digital Art and Design program.
Estela Gomez- for her artwork entitled Verde Esperanza chosen for Exhibition at ArtsConnection! Over 600 NYC school students submitted artworks.
Julianna Amato - acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art program.
Demi Poulos- acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art program.
Alyssa Petraglia- acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art program.
Sara Natale- acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art program.
Gina Falzone - acceptance to Bayside HS Digital Art and Design program.
Estela Gomez - acceptance to Bayside HS Digital Art and Design program.
Massimo Tatta - acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art Program.
Kenny Grant -acceptance to Bayside HS Digital Art and Design program.
Mina Kim - Grand Prize Winner - Kissena Park Poster Contest.
Her interview and artwork appeared in the Korea Times.
Georgia Humphries - acceptance to La Guardia High School of the Arts, and Frank Sinatra HS for the Arts. She will be attending La Guardia in the Fall. Georgia's book, "Samantha: the Life of a Slave Girl" is available on amazon.com, and Barnes and nobles.
Jori Young -acceptance to Frank Sinatra High School Of The Arts
Katherine Mills, on winning the Anti- Bullying Poster Contest at Bell Academy Middle School, in Bayside, NY.
Cansu Eser on winning first place, and Grand Prize of $1000., for her artwork in the contest supported by the Federation of Turkish American Leagues. The reception took place at the United Nations building in NYC.
Mina Kim on winning Kissena Park Poster Contest in her age division.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Olivia Paulino for her acceptance to St Francis Prep HS Honors Art Program
Keira Sestak for her Subway painting chosen for Exhibition at ArtsConnection! Over 600 students submitted their artworks.
James Franco- acceptance to MS Studio Arts Boot Camp Summer program at La Guardia HS.
Francesca Romano- acceptance to Bayside HS Digital Art and Design program.
Estela Gomez- for her artwork entitled Verde Esperanza chosen for Exhibition at ArtsConnection! Over 600 NYC school students submitted artworks.
Julianna Amato - acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art program.
Demi Poulos- acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art program.
Alyssa Petraglia- acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art program.
Sara Natale- acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art program.
Gina Falzone - acceptance to Bayside HS Digital Art and Design program.
Estela Gomez - acceptance to Bayside HS Digital Art and Design program.
Massimo Tatta - acceptance to St. Francis Prep HS Honors Art Program.
Kenny Grant -acceptance to Bayside HS Digital Art and Design program.
Mina Kim - Grand Prize Winner - Kissena Park Poster Contest.
Her interview and artwork appeared in the Korea Times.
Georgia Humphries - acceptance to La Guardia High School of the Arts, and Frank Sinatra HS for the Arts. She will be attending La Guardia in the Fall. Georgia's book, "Samantha: the Life of a Slave Girl" is available on amazon.com, and Barnes and nobles.
Jori Young -acceptance to Frank Sinatra High School Of The Arts
Katherine Mills, on winning the Anti- Bullying Poster Contest at Bell Academy Middle School, in Bayside, NY.
Cansu Eser on winning first place, and Grand Prize of $1000., for her artwork in the contest supported by the Federation of Turkish American Leagues. The reception took place at the United Nations building in NYC.
Mina Kim on winning Kissena Park Poster Contest in her age division.
Projects 2020-2021
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Reaching Into The Refrigerator
Foreshortening and illusion of space on a two dimensional surface. Students draw themselves reaching into the fridge with foreshortened hand. They choose which products they want to draw in the foreground. The suggestion of the kitchen in the background extends the illusion of space. Colored pencils; watercolors; acrylic paints, Paint pens. |
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Drawing From Observation- Collage Students study the wooden art class mannequins, using their artists' eye to check proportion and negative space. They design their page and create an interesting composition with angles and cropping the figures. Two figures are drawn on gray paper. Two are drawn on black paper and collaged onto the gray. Tonal drawing with black and white China markers. |
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Profile Self Portraits- (completed from March 2020 closing)
Students work from photos of themselves to paint powerful side-view portraits. They are encouraged to work and develop their own style of painting that best expresses who they are as artists. A side portrait can make the viewer wonder what the subject is thinking about. Color; texture; proportion; Acrylic paints.
Students work from photos of themselves to paint powerful side-view portraits. They are encouraged to work and develop their own style of painting that best expresses who they are as artists. A side portrait can make the viewer wonder what the subject is thinking about. Color; texture; proportion; Acrylic paints.
Dramatic Sky Paintings
For this project students treat the sky with great importance, conveying a mood. The horizon line is lower in the composition. Students are taught to have distinct areas and visible brush strokes with combination of soft and hard edges to keep the sky exciting. They are encouraged to work in a style that represents them as an artist. Acrylic Paint
For this project students treat the sky with great importance, conveying a mood. The horizon line is lower in the composition. Students are taught to have distinct areas and visible brush strokes with combination of soft and hard edges to keep the sky exciting. They are encouraged to work in a style that represents them as an artist. Acrylic Paint
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Balloon Animal Renderings Inspired by the large stainless steel balloon animal sculptures of American artist Jeff Koons. Students create renderings of balloon animals using colored pencils and acrylic paints. They choose reflective shiny Mylar or non shiny balloon for their artworks. Attention to color theory, proportion, negative space, and design. Jeff Koons broke an auction record with his Rabbit sculpture selling for $91 million. 
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Reflective Puddle Paintings
For this challenging project, students study photos and paintings of puddles reflecting nature, or urban scenes. They pay close attention to puddle shape, rim edge, and the angles of the reflected objects. Acrylic paint
Mia age: 13
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Jenna age: 12
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Metaphysical Still Life with Bird
Students create still life drawings influenced by the works of the Giorgio De Chirico in the style of the metaphysical painters. Their works have a sense of stepping out of reality into a dream. Statues, mannequins, birds, and geometric objects are some of the items included. Watercolor; colored pencils; acyclic paints.
Celestial Paintings
Students incorporate an animal or bird into an imaginative celestial design, filled with stars, the moon, and planets. Acrylic paints are used along with paint pens.
Olivia age: 12
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Devin age: 12
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Kaylie age: 12
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Giuliana age: 10
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Filiz age: 14
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Projects 2019-2020
Octopus’s Garden
Students create imaginative whimsical drawings of moving octopus tentacles and fantastic underwater gardens. They blend analogous colors in sections throughout their work using colored pencils and watercolor paints. The project is inspired by the story behind The Beatles song Octopus's Garden. Watercolor paints; Colored pencils.
Students create imaginative whimsical drawings of moving octopus tentacles and fantastic underwater gardens. They blend analogous colors in sections throughout their work using colored pencils and watercolor paints. The project is inspired by the story behind The Beatles song Octopus's Garden. Watercolor paints; Colored pencils.
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Blooming Anatomy
Introduction to the human rib cage and skull understanding their function and form. Students combine sections of rib cage or skull with living elements of nature including flowers, vines, birds, and butterflies to create an interesting composition. China Markers; Charcoal; Colored Pencils. |
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Form / Sculpture / Architecture
Students choose geometric shapes, drawing them as 3D forms. They design a sculpture showing interrelation of volumes. This project prepares the students to design and render a residential or commercial building inspired by geometric shapes, and forms. Intro to Frank Lloyd Wright and his work. Ebony sketch pencils; Watercolors; Marker; Colored Pencils.
Students choose geometric shapes, drawing them as 3D forms. They design a sculpture showing interrelation of volumes. This project prepares the students to design and render a residential or commercial building inspired by geometric shapes, and forms. Intro to Frank Lloyd Wright and his work. Ebony sketch pencils; Watercolors; Marker; Colored Pencils.
Drawing, Shading, and Painting Metal Objects
For this project students strive to create the illusion of shiny metal objects. They work from observation drawing the objects with pencil carefully completing the shapes. Next they observe the reflecting light, as it hits the metal. They complete the illusion by shading the contrasting lights, darks and crisp clean edges. Introduction to the work of artist Jim Dine. Students who complete a tonal drawing are encouraged to create a still life painting with metal objects, including environmental reflection in their work. China Markers; Charcoal.
For this project students strive to create the illusion of shiny metal objects. They work from observation drawing the objects with pencil carefully completing the shapes. Next they observe the reflecting light, as it hits the metal. They complete the illusion by shading the contrasting lights, darks and crisp clean edges. Introduction to the work of artist Jim Dine. Students who complete a tonal drawing are encouraged to create a still life painting with metal objects, including environmental reflection in their work. China Markers; Charcoal.
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Geometric Inspired Abstract Painting
This project is one of five Geometric inspired projects this year. Students are introduced to works of fine artists such as Leger; Dulaunay; Mondrian; Picasso; and Klee. They are encouraged to reflect upon their own feelings and thoughts as an artist to create a painting in their own style using Geometric shapes as inspiration. Acrylic Paints; Watercolors.
This project is one of five Geometric inspired projects this year. Students are introduced to works of fine artists such as Leger; Dulaunay; Mondrian; Picasso; and Klee. They are encouraged to reflect upon their own feelings and thoughts as an artist to create a painting in their own style using Geometric shapes as inspiration. Acrylic Paints; Watercolors.
Color Theory -Analogous Painting
Students use analogous colors for the entire painting or in sections to create works using acrylic paints.
Students use analogous colors for the entire painting or in sections to create works using acrylic paints.
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Graphic Arts- Music Themed Design Drawing
Students create a doodle style drawing using artistic expression to reflect their love of music. They incorporate zentangle patterns if they wish. Full or limited color. Ink; colored pencils; markers. 
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Projects 2018-2019
Self Portrait
Students work from photos of themselves to create a charcoal self portrait. The background text expresses the students thoughts, feelings, interests, and events that have had an impact on their lives.
Students work from photos of themselves to create a charcoal self portrait. The background text expresses the students thoughts, feelings, interests, and events that have had an impact on their lives.
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My Perfect Sneaker
This project takes the idiom of "putting someone or something up on a pedestal" in a literal sense. Students choose their favorite sneaker that they admire, and is perfect in everyway! The project includes drawing and painting their sneaker from observation and designing an architectural column cap in the style of the ancient Greek and Roman Corinthian or Ionic columns . 
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Landscape Painting
Students work in watercolor or acrylic paints to create landscapes with deep shadows and light. They learn about cast shadows and how their edges and shapes change depending on intensity of light, and surface changes in the landscape. Students are encouraged to develop their own style of painting.
Students work in watercolor or acrylic paints to create landscapes with deep shadows and light. They learn about cast shadows and how their edges and shapes change depending on intensity of light, and surface changes in the landscape. Students are encouraged to develop their own style of painting.
Figurative Abstract
A quiet, still, abstract interpretation of a figurative self portrait. Attention is paid to proportion ,shape, shadows, and layering paints. Students work from photos of themselves.
A quiet, still, abstract interpretation of a figurative self portrait. Attention is paid to proportion ,shape, shadows, and layering paints. Students work from photos of themselves.
Keira age: 11
Massimo age: 13
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Filiz age: 11
Peyton age: 9
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Gina age: 12
Julia age: 9
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Mia age: 11
Estela age: 13
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Isabella age: 8
Lyla age: 9
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Styrofoam Cups
Students are asked to choose 5-7 Styrofoam cups of varying heights and create an interesting composition still life set up. Toothpicks are used to hold some in place. The goal of this project is to review the lesson on ellipses and how they change with viewing angle. Drawing a line of symmetry down the center of the cup helps the students find the angles of the ellipses and tapered outside lines of the cup when foreshortened. They finish with tonal shading.
Students are asked to choose 5-7 Styrofoam cups of varying heights and create an interesting composition still life set up. Toothpicks are used to hold some in place. The goal of this project is to review the lesson on ellipses and how they change with viewing angle. Drawing a line of symmetry down the center of the cup helps the students find the angles of the ellipses and tapered outside lines of the cup when foreshortened. They finish with tonal shading.
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Surprise Box - Students are asked to draw an open box in perspective. They create an imaginative composition of objects, flying birds and insects bursting from the open box. The illusion is attained by drawing varied sizes for background, middle ground and foreground. Lesson focus on concepts of space, depth, and movement while thinking creatively.
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Hip Hop / Ballet
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Students work with Charcoal to create a composition of dance movement drawings. They sketch action lines and build the figure in proportion. They are introduced to the drawings of the artist Edgar Degas. Students work from their imagination and resource photos. Choice of subject either Hip Hop or Ballet.
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Still Life Painting - In the style of the Dutch Masters.
In this second high contrast project students paint still life understanding the importance of tone in their work. They use strong dark and light tones with fewer middle tones resulting in a dramatic painting. Color is introduced as a high contrast. Click on art to see full image. |
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South American Reptile Eye
Students study the eyes of Lizards, Iguanas, and Geckos. They sketch in the work with close attention to shapes.
Students strive to achieve a "professional level" of painting techniques, by layering watercolor paints light to dark value; richness in color and texture.
Students study the eyes of Lizards, Iguanas, and Geckos. They sketch in the work with close attention to shapes.
Students strive to achieve a "professional level" of painting techniques, by layering watercolor paints light to dark value; richness in color and texture.
Dream Art
For this project students are inspired by their dreams to create a work that is imaginative and creative. Lesson discussion on the meaning of dreams, and how blurring the boundaries between reality and dreams inspired many artists in history such as Redon, and surrealist painters including Dali; Magritte; and De Chirico. Watercolor / Acrylic Paints
Click on the art for full image.
Rhythm and Movement Ribbons
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The students created rhythm and movement in their drawings of ribbons. They used value and contrast to help create the illusion! Students used a four step process taught in class. Each illustration was created with Prismacolor pencils on black paper. Creativity and design.
This project is in a group of three projects this year that include movement, reflection, energy and light. The other two are a Frank Gehry inspired architectural design drawing, and a water pattern acrylic painting. 
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Tonal Still Life
Students worked from observation and resource materials to create a still life on gray paper. Materials: Black and White China Markers.
Lesson on shading techniques and letting tonal shading hold a shape vs using line; Composition; shapes; recognizing ellipses, and how they change with viewpoint.
Students worked from observation and resource materials to create a still life on gray paper. Materials: Black and White China Markers.
Lesson on shading techniques and letting tonal shading hold a shape vs using line; Composition; shapes; recognizing ellipses, and how they change with viewpoint.
Frank Gehry Inspired Architecture
Students were introduced to the work of award winning Canadian born architect Frank Gehry. They created a commercial or residential design rendering inspired by the architects unexpected twisted playful organic forms. Students decided on construction materials such as glass, wood, silver titanium, stainless steel ,and how best to illustrate them. Renderings included surrounding landscape. Line Drawing; watercolors; colored pencils
Students were introduced to the work of award winning Canadian born architect Frank Gehry. They created a commercial or residential design rendering inspired by the architects unexpected twisted playful organic forms. Students decided on construction materials such as glass, wood, silver titanium, stainless steel ,and how best to illustrate them. Renderings included surrounding landscape. Line Drawing; watercolors; colored pencils
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING design by Keira
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RESIDENTIAL HOUSE design by Alessandro
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EXHIBITION HALL design by Gianluigi
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MUSEUM design by Massimo
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RESIDENTIAL BUILDING design by Gina
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MUSEUM design by Mia
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RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX design by Lyla
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CORPORATE OFFICE COMPLEX design by Nicole
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HS Entrance Portfolio Prep
Sample Accepted Student Portfolio - Georgia Humphries Frank Sinatra HS and La Guardia HS.
*Students who wish to do portfolio prep should be drawing from observation and working on sketch books at home in addition to projects done in the art class.
*Students who wish to do portfolio prep should be drawing from observation and working on sketch books at home in addition to projects done in the art class.
