Instructors

Robert Garden

A NATIVE OF WEST VIRGINIA, Robert H. Garden graduated from the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida, with an MBA in Art. His distinguished 30 plus year career in commercial and fine art has afforded Mr. Garden commissions ranging from museum dioramas to convention center murals. A PREMIER GALLERY ARTIST, author, lecturer and teacher, Garden is accomplished in both oils and watercolor. Because of limited availability of competent art instruction, either in or out of college, the “Robert Garden Method” of painting was developed and perfected. Robert has been highly successful during the more than 30 years of teaching beginning students and accomplished artists to paint with confidence and to complete a painting in only three hours or less. He has won the Silver Cup Art Award (the highest award given), two consecutive years from the Corpus Christi Art Association. He is a lifetime member of the Rockport, Texas Art Association. One of a small and select group of artists entrusted in the restoration and repair of paintings, Robert was commissioned by a Florida gallery to restore a painting, which was valued at Three Million Dollars, demonstrating his competence and credibility.

THE AUTHOR of two books, a video series and CO-host of an instructional painting pilot filmed for public television, Mr. Garden has been featured on national television and prestigious newspapers through the U.S. As a farm boy in West Virginia, Robert began painting at the age of seven. He used his mother’s cosmetics and colorful berry juices for paint. His canvases were window shades and scrap materials. His first brushes were made from the hair of his cat and dog’s tails. His first painting was sold at a sidewalk art show in Wheeling, West Virginia, for $80.00 when he was eight years old. Robert Garden has since continued to conduct painting workshops, touring throughout the United States and many foreign countries.

Susan Garden

Susan Garden is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She is also a Certified Master Instructor for the Robert Garden School of Art which she co-founded in 1976 with her teacher/mentor and spouse of over 30 years, Robert Garden. She has been named “Teacher of the Year” by Mesquite ISD and has 35-years experience teaching children and adults to paint in her unique “You Can Paint” workshops.

Susan is an award-winning artist, muralist and member of the Irving Art Association and the National Speakers Association. Susan has been the featured guest on live television and with Robert Garden has produced and developed a unique line of art education materials including books, videos and art supplies as well as co-hosted an educational television series entitled “You Can Paint”. Susan loves painting on location and offers painting cruises for her students, ages 5 to 105, and to the Padre Island gulf coast every October. While oil is Susan’s favorite medium she also specializes in teaching oil, watercolor, oil pastels and charcoal. Last summer the Garden’s and their certified instructors taught over 1,000 children in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to paint in “Adventures in Art Camps”.

Christen Garden

Hi, I’m Christen, the daughter of master artists and teachers Robert & Susan Garden. I was essentially born with a paint brush in my hand. From a young age I could see what art did for the soul and I wanted to share that gift with others too. Following in my parents footsteps, I have been a teaching instructor since 2007. I create and design the youth curriculum used by the Robert Garden School of Art. I instruct and assist on our Painting at Sea Cruises and I teach many students privately in their homes and institutions.  I play and active roll in art supply fulfillment shipping, receiving and stocking. I have had the pleasure of teaching thousands of children and adults all across the Dallas Ft. Worth metroplex. I’m currently working on my degree in Elementary Education specializing in special needs. I teach a variety of mediums to a range of ages!

Pamela Smith

Pamela Smith was fortunate enough to take an oil painting class many years ago with an instructor, Susan Garden. After her first oil painting lesson, Pam found her true passion and has been hooked on painting ever since. Recently Pam completed a instructor training program under Master Artist, Robert Garden, earning her position as a Robert Garden Certified Instructor.
Pam says “your ability to create is 90% desire! I love teaching students of all ages and watching their smiles as they admire their creations and realize they too can paint. I am currently expanding my business to include You Can Paint studio classes, private lessons, art camps for children, and corporate team building”. Pam knows something about corporate team building serving as Senior Manager of Verizon Wireless for over 15 years. “I cherish the time I spent motivating people in business but it left me mentally exhausted with little time for family or creativity” she recalls.
Pam has been married for 25+ years, has 4 children and 4 grandchildren who she enjoys spending time with as well as sharing her other favorite hobbies of camping and fishing. Pam looks forward to her new life sharing her passion for art and teaching “You Can Paint”.