Diana Delmonte
As an experienced art teacher and artist with over 20 years of teaching children, my main focus is to foster creativity, spontaneity, and confidence in young artists. I believe in empowering children to express themselves independently, while also instilling a strong foundation of formal artistic principles in connection with the lessons and concepts to the California State Visual and Performing Art Standards.
ARTIST AND ART EDUCATOR
My philosophy
For more than two decades, I have been actively involved in the art world as both an exhibiting artist and an exhibition preparator in various museums and galleries. In addition to my work in the art industry, I have also taught visual art, yoga, and meditation to numerous children across Los Angeles. My teaching experience spans across grade levels from kindergarten to sixth grade and includes teaching English language learners, autistic children, and those with learning disabilities. I served as a visiting artist within the Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as for various art venues, private schools, galleries, museums, private art organizations, and summer camps. One of the notable summer camps where I taught was the Eagle Rock Center for Arts, where I spent ten consecutive summers sharing my passion for art with young minds and organizing weekly art exhibitions.
Through my teaching methods, I aim to inspire young minds to think outside the box and encourage a unique expression and creative thought process. By providing a supportive environment, I have witnessed the growth and development of countless children over the years. My teaching approach centers around the use of mixed media, where I encourage students to explore different materials and techniques. I love introducing children to a variety of mediums such as graphite and Conte crayon combined with watercolor or matte medium in conjunction with paint, allowing students to build translucent layers and experiment with texture. Additionally, I introduce art history by immersing students in the techniques and styles of contemporary artists. Children grow in their creative process by understanding the historical context in which they worked while experiencing a wide range of artistic styles and materials. Whether it be working with clay, creating sculptures, or incorporating wood, metal, or found objects into their artwork, children can constantly push their boundaries, refresh their creatively, and step outside their comfort zones.
I specialize in drawing; focusing on line, shape, composition, and negative space while encouraging students to utilize the entire page to create visually engaging artwork. I introduce children to global art, exposing them to diverse materials and techniques and exploring different cultures, lifestyles, and geographical locations and introduce indigenous art of specific areas to allow a deeper understanding of the unique artistic traditions that exist around the world. I introduce art history by immersing students in the techniques and styles of contemporary artists.
My art projects are centered around promoting cultural and racial diversity, and they aim to benefit all communities, with a particular focus on underprivileged youth living in inner-city areas. These projects align with the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards, ensuring that they provide educational and artistic experiences that meet the specified criteria. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, my art projects strive to create a sense of unity and understanding among individuals from different backgrounds. They serve as a platform for self-expression, creativity, and personal growth, empowering young individuals to explore their own identities and engage with diverse perspectives. I aim to bridge gaps, break down barriers, foster inclusivity, and build self-esteem and confidence.
I am an author, art educator, consultant, Yoga teacher, and entrepreneur of Compassion For All Beings, a healing, animal wellness, and animal behavior business.
For more than two decades, I have been actively involved in the art industry as both an exhibiting artist and an exhibition preparator in various museums and galleries. In addition, I have also taught visual art, yoga, and meditation to numerous children across Los Angeles. My teaching experience spans across grade levels from kindergarten to sixth grade and includes teaching English language learners, autistic children, and those with learning disabilities. I served as a visiting artist within the Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as for various art venues, galleries, museums, private art organizations, and summer camps.
One of the notable summer camps where I taught was the Eagle Rock Center for Arts where I spent ten consecutive summers. I developed a curriculum that integrated animals, art, and nature in order to cultivate sensitivity, awareness, and respect for all living beings. Through this approach, the children were able to explore their creativity, strengthen their connection with the natural world, and develop a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of life. Additionally, I utilized my exhibition design abilities to set up weekly art exhibitions showcasing the children's artwork for both their parents and the wider public to appreciate. The exhibitions served as a platform for the children to proudly show their art, while also fostering a sense of community and celebration among the participants and viewers.