Our Instructors

 “I want to provide you the space and knowledge that will help reach your artistic aspiration. A place that encourages creativity and uniqueness, guide you in building your art portfolio, and helps you grow as an artist where you can follow your dreams.”  Iris Heffes graduated from H I T (The Center of Technology Education, Holon) with a major in Industrial Design and teaching diploma. She also studied two years of ceramic art at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. As an artist Iris mostly paints abstract and Sculpt figurative.   

Andrew Cortez graduated with a BFA from Laguna College of Art and Design majoring in Drawing and Painting and minoring in Animation. He has been teaching art since 2017 as well as designing Portrait and Plein Air workshops. His fine art work has been featured in multiple exhibitions and competitions across the US, and he draws and paints commission portraits. He loves teaching and hopes to inspire his students to try out many different art forms.

Olivia Stude is a graduate of Laguna College of Art and Design, receiving both a Bachelor’s degree in Drawing and Painting and a Master’s degree in Fine Art Painting. She specializes in portraiture and plein air painting. She is an experienced art teacher and uses her knowledge to enhance the skills and artwork of her students. Guided by her own artistic journey, she strives to inspire and empower emerging artists, nurturing their creativity and encouraging them to explore the limitless possibilities of artistic expression.

Teagan Travalino is a digital illustrator from the Big Island of Hawai’i. Teagan graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She’s inspired by fairytales, nature and anything cute! Specializing in children’s book illustration her work is whimsical and colorful. Her hope is to inspire others and tell a story through her art.

 Emma Aldridge is a student at Fullerton College majoring in Entertainment Arts studying illustration, storyboarding and digital art software. She is an aspiring concept artist specializing in vibrant fantasy landscape illustration. She is passionate about creating environments and worlds that make a story come to life. She loves helping kids develop their own unique artistic expression. 

Kanjana Mathongsa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree, with her main focus being product design, and she has a minor in contemporary clay from Otis College of Art and Design. She wears multiple creative hats, working as a freelance product designer adept in both physical and digital realms. Kanjana is also a talented ceramist who specializes in crafting functional art pieces for homes. But what truly drives her is the joy of teaching and helping her students discover their own passions and interests, making her an inspiring educator on a mission.

Bobby Sassone is a designer and artist from Irvine, CA. His professional work experience includes concept art work for animated TV, design work for nonprofits, and art for a wide range of projects including comics, board games, and portraiture. Currently he teaches as an adjunct instructor for Laguna College of Art + Design, lecturing on design fundamentals, short film animation and character design. In his free time he paints with Warrior Painters in LA, and swing dances up and down the Socal coastline. His driving motivation for teaching art is to help students communicate their own unique life experiences through the power of visual media.

Isabella Stockbridge graduated from Laguna College of Art and Design with a BFA in Drawing and Painting and an emphasis in Illustration. Since her graduation, she has shown in various galleries around Southern California and has been working on painting commissions. She aspires to help nurture and grow artistic skills in her students to better help them showcase their creativity. 

 Maia Lucas graduated from UC Irvine with a BA in Drama, and an emphasis in Arts Education. She has a background in arts and educational administration, and loves to be in spaces where creativity flows. She is an admirer of art in all forms, and in her free time enjoys embroidery and music. She looks forward to working with all of the students and families at Studio H, and loves to see young artists find their passion.

Arianne Coleto graduated from California Polytechnic University, Pomona with a BFA in Visual Communication Design. She enjoys creating work that focuses on thoughtful, universal design and leaves an emotional impact on those who encounter them. Inspired by designers who create warm and heartfelt designs, she aims to design positively transformative works.