Testimonials
“Melanie's watercolor classes are truly a revelation and a delight. Her guidance, demonstrations, and insights are deeply soothing. While I've learned a great deal about watercolor techniques from her, what stands out even more is how she's expanded my creative perspective by showing me what's possible. A classically trained artist who inspires her students to break the rules, Melanie creates a supportive, relaxing, and enriching environment.
Her teaching style is deeply inspirational, encouraging students to expand their creative boundaries. Her classes are not only educational but also creatively stimulating and distinctive, exploring the interplay of color and emotion. She often introduces students to artists throughout history, creating immersive experiences where we learn their techniques and delve into their worlds, linking past influences with contemporary approaches—all while having fun.
I've taken over 20 of her classes, and each one has been a joy. I would wholeheartedly recommend Melanie’s classes to anyone seeking to explore their artistic potential in a fun environment.”
“Melanie is an exceptional teacher and you won’t regret learning from (and being inspired by) her. I have had the pleasure of taking at least a dozen watercolor classes with Melanie and each one is uniquely transformative. Melanie has a calm, inclusive, and peaceful approach. She immediately puts everyone at ease and creates a safe space, making it easy to learn and have fun.
Melanie’s classes are thought provoking and engaging: she pulls inspiration from nature, artists, and the world. She encourages experimentation and creativity, and makes the process fun and accessible. I love how Melanie meets everyone where they are: her classes are inclusive and thoughtful. Everyone feels safe, welcomed, and valued. She always reminds me to enjoy the process of making marks, which has helped me build a deeper connection with my creativity.
I highly recommend Melanie to everyone and anyone looking to explore watercolor or seeking a creative outlet under the guidance of a gifted, caring guide. Melanie’s patience, talent, and dedication to her craft ensure each class is unforgettable and will leave you inspired and uplifted.”
“Melanie Lan is a magical, soulful, artist and teacher I feel so very grateful to learn from. She is a gentle, affirming presence, with a keen awareness of the gap between the visual and the words we use — one of her great strengths is as a communicator of the process of making art.
As an art psychotherapist myself in my working-life, I treasure the spaces I find for myself to restore and revive. Melanie’s classes are one of my favorite spots to come exactly as I am, where I can tap into my inner world and know it is safely held. I always learn something wonderful, and often it’s about myself!
Melanie has a background in somatic psychology, and this to me has been ever-present in her own process, her pedagogy, and in her emphasis on self-compassion and somatic awareness in her workshops.
I really feel like Melanie will probably become too famous for intimate classes and workshops one day, so I take advantage where I can, and I encourage anyone interested in creativity, painting, and being a human, to do the same.”
“Melanie is total magic—as a person, a teacher, and an artist. Her warmth, encouragement, and gentle kindness when teaching makes every student feel seen and appreciated. She's so talented, with enviable skill, but she manages to make painting feel accessible and calming, with an emphasis on the act of creating instead of focusing on the finished product. This has helped me rediscover the joy of making for making's sake—because of her, I feel free to explore colors and shapes in new ways. I've recommended her classes to several of my friends, all of whom have come back to me and told me about their fantastic experiences. I feel so grateful to have found Melanie as a guide in my continued creative practice.”
“Melanie has been gifted with a natural teacher's spirit, and I thank my lucky stars I came across her classes when I first started to pick up a paintbrush (in my 40s, with absolutely zero previous education or interest in anything related to art). The thing that sets Melanie apart from all the rest is the hardest to put in words. You receive excellent education and demonstration in technique and materials, but the real treasure is the way Melanie mothers your creativity while imparting knowledge. I started with nothing but a fragile kernel of curiosity and it's down to Melanie that I now paint or draw with joy nearly every day.”
— Beth Sieg