ABOUT US

OUR STORY

Years ago, my parents met at an art college in Detroit, Michigan and I attended that same college two decades later. After graduating I moved to Houston and as Divine providence may have it, like my parents, I met the love of my life at an art school as well. Heather and I both share a passion for the arts and teaching and now our family is continuing the Carson family's artistic tradition, from my parents to their grand children. Carson's Art School is our latest and greatest adventure. It's fun to watch my children take part in building this new family endeavor.

     We are excited about bringing our professional art classes to the Katy area. You don't have to drive all the way to down town houston to find quality art lessons. In fact, we believe our school can offer more because of the unique one on one personalized classes we specialize in. Come join our school and watch us grow as we help you grow artistically.

     If you think you have no talent, no problem. If you believe you have plenty of talent we can still help you get to another level useing your own hidden and un-tapped potential to bring out their best. Give us a chance to show you just how creative you really can be.

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OUR SCHOOL

OUR VISION

Carson's Art School is a family owned and operated Art Instruction School focused on developing the individual talents imparted into each of our students young and old. A desire was planted within them and it's our mission to nurture and grow that desire into a realized dream. Whether you're looking for a place to develop your creativity or you're seeking a career in art, we have the ability to further your art education.

OUR GOAL

     “ANYONE can learn to draw better…yes, even you!” Such a proclamation may sound like an overly optimistic line filled with motivational mumbo jumbo rigamaroo. Be assured, this is not a silly statement just to sell something. After my many years of teaching I found this statement to be true. I have personally seen a variety of young students, old students, and even handicap students improve their drawing skills in spite of their own artistic limitations or doubts. It takes patience and drive, but anyone CAN improve significantly if they will give themselves a chance to do so. That is usually where a potential artist’s problem begins, with their eagerness or willingness to “try".

     I meet so many people that are truly interested in art but have never really attempted to draw. They just don’t believe they can do it, or they attempted it once and failed miserably. They remain unaware of their own hidden potential. I have been teaching art since the age of 15. After consistently helping students succeed far beyond what they thought they where able to do, I began to realize something. Not only could I teach a student with artistic potential, I could also teach someone with no potential at all. The most important requirement needed for improvement is simply a genuine desire to draw.

     If a person is not interested in something, no matter how hard they try, they will lack what is necessary to succeed. They can improve and do adequate work, but may never reach the level of achievement they expected. That is because they were driven by curiosity or achievement, instead of an authentic desire. If you do have a real passion for art, something else is vital if you want to pursue that dream; a “positive attitude”.

     One’s belief is the main factor in determining the outcome for most things in life. A negative belief will bring poor results, a positive one usually breeds success. We want to help the numerous people that would love to draw but refuse to “Believe” they can. Their inspiration is not in question. They simply don’t think they can do it, or even worse, someone else told them it was too difficult to try.

     My desire is to help beginning artists get past the exasperation of drawing so they can experience its exhilarating rewards. Like great music or a powerful movie, art moves a person in its own unique way. When you are the one that actually creates art that moves others, it can be even more powerful. Of course applied art is more than drawing, however drawing is the best place to begin. It gives a student a strong foundation to build everything upon. With out it, progress can get shaky and maybe even cause one to move backwards.

       We stress the fundamentals, but we also want our classes to fit the individual needs of our students. We teach One on One so each new artist can work on their own personal projects at their own comfortable pace. After the first few fundamental lesson the program is customized by the student. They're free to explore different media, subject matters, or styles. They may even what to try out our new innovative Drawn to His Presence program.

     When you follow our lead, improvement Will happen. Soon your dream of doing satisfying artwork will have become a reality that you'll want to experience over and over.

ART PROGRAMS

DRAWING - PAINTING - PHOTOSHOP 

We provide art classes in Katy for Adults, Teens, and Kids 6 years old and up. Homeschool art classes are available as well as weekly ART CAMPS during Winter break, Spring break, and Summer break. Painting includes: oil paint, alkyd oil, acrylic, watercolor and gauche. Days and hours are flexible and you can begin anytime throughout the year.

Our classes are divided up into two programs. The general program which offers artists the ability to choose their own artistic styles and endeavors and the "Drawn into His Presence" program which offers a Christian perspective in the life of the artist. Here is a more in depth description:

General Program:

Both Teens and Adult art lessons are offered the same beginning fundamental drawing lessons required to gain the skills they need to draw on a more advanced level and be able to use those skills in various other mediums such as Alkyd Oil, Watercolor or Colored Pencil or if they choose they can continue in graphite pencil. We can help mold a talented artist into something more, but we also want to make sure the beginning artist can move past their fear of trying. Our style of teaching can help anyone find true satisfaction with their art, often beyond what they may have thought was possible.

These fundamental art classes do not take long. The first few lessons will cover them more directly. However, to keep the class exciting, we will move onto drawing finished frame worthy projects within the third to fifth class depending on each students skill level. I need to introduce the fundamentals to make sure they are understood. Once that is established we simply apply and continue to learn more fundamentals during actual drawings or paintings.

Once you understand and have completed the first prerequisite classes then you can move on to our "Drawn to His Presence" programs, or simply continue in the "General Program" where you can pursue your own artistic endeavors for your pleasure. Whether you are choosing to build an art portfolio for college or continuing in the program just for your enjoyment and to make new friends, our program will work with you.

DRAWN TO HIS PRESENCE
PROGRAM

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The "Drawn to His Presence" program is being developed by “Carson’s Art School” for Christian artists who want to explore the spiritual side of their talents. Many creative Christians have trouble finding their role in the church or the community. This program will not only help students grow their art skills, it can also change their perception about how their creativity can be applied in the Church. 

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Working hand in hand with the Bible, students will discover what it means to be an artist in the Kingdom. They can create pieces of art that reflect their personal representation of scriptures in visual form, or simply find new joy as their drawings and paintings become instruments for worship and praise. The art created in these classes can be used as beacons of hope and healing in the mission fields.

We have created a variety of programs to choose from to get the creative process started. Some may be group projects that actually reach out to the community, and other lessons will be a single student’s personal journey, bringing that student closer to God and allowing their previously untapped talents to be used as an instrument for the Lord.

We recommenced students go through our fundamental art lessons before starting “Drawn to His Presence” so they can have confidence in their artistic ability and achieve more satisfying results.

There are three main categories that often overlap with each other:
Praise & Worship,
Biblical Study,
Community & Outreach 



For Adults/Teens             Drawn to His Presence

"Music to your Eyes"
In this class we will take a worship song, think about the words and interpret a visual to go with it's meaning, while allowing the Holy Spirit to help guide us. The images can be representational or abstract. Each artist will receive a different message or interpretation, so each work of art will be unique to their perspective. The lesson could be done individually or as a group, creating multiple images or one large mosaic of art. This can be combined with our Praise on Display class.

"God's first Rockstar "
David loved music. God revealed to David loving words of comfort and showed His character through David's songs. Psalms have given us hope and healing over the centuries. We will use chapters or specific verses from the Psalms to create our own visual interpretation. We will also explore the imagery that his personal life story can inspire. He had good and bad moments that teach us how to praise God and how to we can always return to God when we mess up.


"Art on a Mission"
In this class we will focus on evangelism through artwork. Much of the art can be obvious christian imagery, but some may take a more subtle approach. Creating concepts that can fit into modern day pop culture, to reach the Lost hearts that may have rejected a more direct religious approach. These pieces may not use typical images like a cross or Jesus, or have scriptures in them, but can invoke a message that could be taken to the streets. Such paintings may be easier to display in community places such as schools, coffee shops, restaurants, banks, senior citizen homes, homeless shelters, and other organizations.
This class can open up conversations and minister to those who are hardhearted toward God because of past hurts, bias gossip, or incorrectly taught messages. We can approach ideas individually or as a group project.

"Artistic Prayer Warriors"
Everyone needs prayer. As artists we’re able to create images that can be used as powerful weapons for prayer warriors. The Bible says that the "Prayers of the righteous avail much". Paintings can take our prayers to another level, expressing them visually to inspire one’s faith, or invite others to join in the prayer.
In this class we ask each other, and the Lord, who or what needs to be prayed for, then brainstorm images and techniques. These can also be given to someone in need, or the church for a mission. Images could be simple or powerful. Ideas such as: angel's fighting the enemy, a family's new arrival, a warrior bride fighting for His cause, Jesus praying for the sick, people with addictions breaking their chains, or even the lost being saved. Praying with a visual can help strengthen a person’s connection to a prayer, whether it be the sender or the recipient.

"Bible Symbolism and Context"
The Bible is rich with visual symbolism, such as: Bread represents Jesus because He is the bread of Life, it also represents provision and sustenance to those that are poor. Hands and Feet represent "Jesus on a mission", a lamb can represent Jesus as a "living sacrifice", Tree may represents "righteousness". We will discuss the different symbolism used in paintings, along with colors and numbers and what they may represent in the Bible.
We may also study Greek and Hebrew words or the culture of the time to share a translation that may be closer to the original intent of Scripture. Sometimes we read the Bible with today’s viewpoint and miss subtle but important aspects of the story being told. Proper context can change a message dramatically as well.

"God's Handiwork"
This will focus on creating landscapes and animal drawings. Students will learn how to draw realistically, focusing on nature studies and even portraits of people. God has created many things that are so majestic they can reveal His greatness all on their own. This class will also make new artists more confident and more willing to share there gift with the world which can also be God’s Handiwork in itself.

"In His Image"
We will focus on the value of who you are in Christ, the grace that covers you, and how you are no longer defined by your past. We will work on the names of God, and more importantly, the names God has for you. This can be combined with our Testimony on Display class.

"The "Art" of Marriage"
Possibly a date night or maybe a simple get away class. Husbands and wives can work on paintings together, sharing what they value most in their marriage and each other. We will explore what God's definition of marriage looks like. Some classes could become more therapeutic as we share how to forgive “God's way”, and create projects to help heal the past.
Sometimes past problems originated before a current marriage but still have a profound effect on the newer relationship. Working out life long hurts as a team in a creative way may bring about a true resolution. Also this can simply be a fun time together away from life’s distractions so couples can reconnect with each other.

"Teens with a Trend"
Teens have unique issues that affect their lives. Together we will create artwork that can benefit their faith and the faith of other youth. Perhaps there are young Christians that enjoy drawing a particular comic character, they may learn to take that character and give it a powerful message, or they can take a classic story of the Bible and give it a Manga comic twist. They can create art in current styles or do messages targeted to a younger audience. Cooler looking artwork that would be easier to share with teens or even where on t-shirts or back packs. This can open previously un-knocked doors that may lead to conversations about the Lord.

"Art for the Body"
In this class we will produce works for our church and other local churches or Pastors. Paintings can be used to give messages to their congregations or simply put on display to inspire. This can help to bring churches (even different denominations) together in a shared effort to reach out to the communities as one focused body under the name of Jesus.

"Praise on Display"
We will brainstorm and work on ideas for pieces of art that can be married to Praise music. This can be done by one artist or as a group. They could create a visual or performance art piece that can be used during church worship or even the pastor's special message. Combining images with music or a message can make a powerful statement that will be remembered.
This could also be useful for deaf members of the church, helping them get a more fulfilling worship experience, either during worship or while creating the inspirational art themselves. It may even inspire a unique program just for hearing impaired Christians that want to experience Praise and Worship in a more immersed way. This can be combined with our Music to Your Eyes class.

“Testimonial Tapestries”
Do you have a special testimony of how God restored your life, broke chains of addiction, healed your past, provided a need, restored your marriage, or simply expressed His love in an amazing way. Testimony paintings being glory to the work God has done in you. Our class will help people express and share their story within a painting that could inspire others to share their own testimony as well. This could also involve an upgraded version of the cardboard testimonies. They will reveal a more powerful image or colorful words on the back to help truly represent their amazing transformation.

"Recovery Painting"
(This class will be developed much further in the future)
In this class artists will work with an art teacher and an art therapist. We will do memory work that helps bring up past issues that need to be worked on and create art that can bring hope and healing. This can also be used with actual physical therapy to assist with lost dexterity or mental functions, maybe offering more inspiration and desire to commit to such repetitious tasks.

"Forgiver, Forgiven, &Thanks"
This will be a more personal class. Creating painting that express gratitude for what God has done, and promised to do for us. It's also for working out forgiveness, giving and receiving, not only from God but with each other . This can produce very profound messages on an intimate personal scale, unlike a broader universal Worship painting. The art may not speak to as many people, but it will speak loudly to those specific few that can relate to the artist's message.
The painter themselves may also discover a true deeper healing or sense of gratitude. In this class we will focus on giving our hurts to God to deal with so we can recover that part of our self which is still being held by others who have offended us. This can bring true restoration to a personal relationship or simply freedom from a past pain so a Christian can be more like Christ.

“Jesus Lamps”
This will be a focused mission specifically to save the lost. A direct plea to non believers to follow the right path. To reveal the truth of Jesus so they too can live on with Him in Heaven. These can be direct images of Death vs Life, Adam’s fall, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, or an outreached hand with a pieced wrists.
We can use subtle images that gently nudge the closed minded athiest toward the correct path, or create bold images depicting a clear choice that can make a person on the brink of believing finally surrender and accept God’s Grace. “Jesus Lamps” is similar to most of our other programs with a more intense mission to reach the lost, but it can also reach the found who seemed to have lost their way.

“Lets Talk Politics & Religon”
Not for the faint of heart. This will be our most controversial class, and not for artists who run from conflict. We will discuses and maybe even argue but in the process hold up His Word to the World and see where the World lines up with God and where it rejects Him. Images that come form this will often be politically incorrect but demonstrate the worlds Hipocracy, selfishness, or short sightedness.

“Christian Giggles”
This class will show that Christians can have a sense of humor. We will create comics or clever one line-ners with images to reach out to others in a fun cleaver way, while keeping it clean and true to his word. We may poke fun at the “world’s” ways, but also have fun with the quirks of our own church family. One of the best ways to reach skeptics is to not take yourself so seriously and let them know your just like them. This can be tricky to pull off without offending people, but sometimes the truth can be uncomfortable yet quite true.
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Children's Classes   

age 6 to 12 or so 

Here is a look at some of our children's class ideas for this program. To allow the student to create artwork faster each should take some fundamental drawing and painting classes and learn the basics.

“Colors of Praise”

Children can do ministry through their artwork. We will teach them how to use a scripture to form visual pieces that can be shared with others. They can pray for wisdom as they create. as well as pray for the people that they create it for. Interpretation of scriptures would also be part of each lesson to make sure they understand what they are sharing or praising. This class could combine with our other praise and worship art classes.

 

“Bible Forget-Me-Nots”

This class will focus on learning scriptures through art, using symbols and images to help kids (or adults) visually memorize scripture. These will be simple quick drawings that convey the words or the idea of the scripture, like a quick sketch of a lamp or lamb that connects to scriptures. Each chapter will also have its own color or symbol to help memorize where in the bible the scriptures can be found. Remembering names and numbers is much easier when combined with colors and images. Once a verse is memorized, they can use it to create a more advanced piece of artwork that reflects the message of the scripture.

“Bible Hero Comics”

When trying to reach a younger audience you need to speak in their language and make use of their interests. One of the best way would be through super hero comics or Manga style artwork. Most of the comics do not have a spiritual message. Instead of hunting down art novels with a focus on His Word, or the works of Jesus, kids can create their own illustrated stories or posters.

This can be fun for young kids but some teen artists create comics and characters of their own. They can continue creating in the styles they like while sharing a positive story or powerful visual that share the bible to young and old alike. Most people can enjoy a good comic hero or villain and there are plenty of those to pick from in the Bible. This can also help to memorize scriptures or recall stories that otherwise would have gone in one ear and out the other. Entering through the eyes as well can make it come to life and allow better recall, in a fun creative way.

Address

Cinco Ranch L.H.
25202
Springwood Lake dr.
Katy, TX  77494

First Chirstian Church
22101
Morton Ranch rd.
Katy, TX  77449

Contacts

281-507-3039

CarsonsArtSchool@
gmail.com

Links

Facebook

CarsonsArtStore.com
CarsonsArtOnline.com
shawnkcarson.com

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