“Works of art are of an infinite solitude, and no means of approach is so useless as criticism. Only love can touch and hold them and be fair to them.”
Mentorships and private classes available.
Please contact Victoria via the contact form.
Plein Air Painting at The Art Stop
With Colette Savage & Victoria Brzustowicz
Explore the joys of painting outside while learning about plein air painting from two experienced plein air painters!
Session I: We’ll meet in the upstairs classroom at the Art Stop and discuss gear, best practices, what to expect while painting outside, and answer any questions or concerns.
Sessions II & III: The group will set up easels at an outdoor location and paint under the guidance of your instructors.
All skill levels and all mediums are welcome. (Please don’t purchase equipment until after the first session!)
Call the Art Stop at (585) 872-5710 to register and for questions.
Three sessions | MONDAYS 6:00-8:00PM | $80 | June 2, 9 & 16
Printmaking at Railroad Street Artworks
Fun and Easy Linoleum Block Printing
See just how fun and easy it can be to create and print your own designs.
Join us for four engaging sessions designed for beginners eager to explore this traditional printmaking technique, but suitable as a review for those with experience. Learn how to conceptualize and transfer your designs onto linoleum blocks, carve those designs safely and effectively, and experiment with inking and printing processes.
The class will cover essential tools and materials, guiding students from initial sketches to completed prints. Emphasis will be placed on developing personal style, understanding negative and positive space, and achieving consistent print quality.
By the end of the course, you will have created multiple prints and gained the foundational skills needed to continue linoleum block printing independently. Join Victoria and see how fun and easy it is to make custom prints! (Wait to buy supplies until after the first class, but if you have supplies, bring them!)
Wednesdays, June 4, 11, 18 & 25 - 4 sessions | 6:00p - 8:00p | $120.00
Observation to Abstraction at Railroad Street Artworks
Learning How to Abstract What You See
Learn to translate what you see into more abstract “painterly” finished pieces. In this four-session course you’ll be guided through the process of turning observed details into abstract compositions.
You’ll be encouraged to draw inspiration from your surroundings and personal reflections, and then to transform these into expressive, non-representational works. A typical session will have hands-on exercises, and you’ll explore mark-making, color relationships, texture, and form-developing techniques and skills to deconstruct and reimagine familiar subjects.
Each session builds on core painting principles – combining observation with intuitive approaches - to create dynamic, unique abstractions.
Thursday - June 5, 12, June 26 & July 3 (4 sessions, no class June 19) | 6:00p-8:00p
Fundamentals of Drawing at Flower City Arts Center
In this class students focus on developing observational skills and drawing techniques, using a variety of drawing media. No prior experience with drawing is required or expected. More advanced artists will also benefit from this refresher course.
A suggested materials list will be supplied prior to the first class.
Session 1: Tuesdays, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20 | 6-8:30pm
In session
Intro to Pastel Painting at flower City Arts Center
PASTELS — those beautiful sticks of pure color, create exciting, fun, and expressive works of art. Through informational discussions, demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities for experimentation, students will learn about the incredible versatility of pastels. Areas to be covered include pastel painting techniques, design concepts, tricks of the trade, safety, storage, and framing. No prior experience is necessary and all skill levels are welcome. A suggested materials list will be supplied prior to the first class.
Thursdays, April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 6-8:30pm
In session
Intro to Gouache Painting at flower City Arts Center
Gouache is a water-based, opaque, pigment-rich medium. The ability to layer light over dark makes it as flexible as acrylics and oils, and yet it can be used like watercolor in transparent layers. This course is an introduction to materials, color mixing, and paint handling, with an emphasis on gouache’s painterly qualities. Each class will include a demo and plenty of time for painting. Storing and framing of gouache paintings will also be covered. A suggested materials list will be supplied prior to the first class.
Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, 24, 6-8:30pm
Register here. This class is full but you can get on a waitlist.
Oil Painting At The Art Stop
In this class we’ll explore materials, fundamentals, and best practices of oil painting, with an emphasis on direct or “alla prima” techniques. Color mixing and creating a range of colors from a limited palette will be taught. For students with previous experience in color mixing, a more complex palette will be used. Paint from your own sketches, photos, or studio still life. We’ll have demos in each class that will cover various topics such as various ways to start an oil painting, oiling out, stretching a canvas, preparing a panel, glazing, and varnishing.
Daytime Class: 6 week Class $179
Mondays 11:00-1:00
Next Session: 5/19/25-6/30/25 Skip 5/26
Last session until September!
Call the Art Stop to register–585-872-5710 * 1822 PENFIELD RD PENFIELD NY 14526
Daytime Drawing 101 at the Art Stop
Can’t draw but want to? Can draw but want to get better? In this class you will use pencil, charcoal, and pastel to learn basic forms, one and two point perspective, negative space, tonal value and proportion. Use these fundamentals to draw anything. Drawing accurately is the basis for all other fine art mediums. You need to be able to accurately sketch out your canvas or paper before going on the next step.
Weds: Weds 11:00-1:00 5/28/25 - 6/25/25 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Cost: $129 for Five Weeks (extended class time to fit course in before Summer Camps)
Call the Art Stop to register–585-872-5710 * 1822 PENFIELD RD PENFIELD NY 14526
RMSC Cumming Nature Center Workshops
PAINTING IN THE PINES
SUNDAY, JULY 20 | 9:30AM-12:30PM $35
Get outside and paint beneath the majestic red pines of the Cumming Nature Center this summer! This plein air painting class will cover the basic tools and techniques needed to paint outdoors, including how to set up a palette and choose a subject. Beginner painters will have the option to use a pre-sketched canvas as the foundation for their painting. After a short demonstration, participants will enjoy one-on-one instruction and interaction with instructor Victoria Brzustowicz as they work at their own pace.
This class is suitable for beginner and more experienced artists. All tools and materials will be provided.
Register here: https://11302.blackbaudhosting.com/11302/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=66caa186-ae52-45c4-8ab2-e135ba423916
PAINTING BY THE POND
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 | 9:30AM-12:30PM $35
Join us for a relaxing and creative morning outdoors as we paint a quiet pond set beneath the changing leaves of Cumming Nature Center. This plein air painting class will cover the basic tools and techniques needed to paint outdoors, including how to set up a palette and choose a subject. Beginner painters will have the option to use a pre-sketched canvas as the foundation for their painting. After a short demonstration, participants will enjoy one-on-one instruction and interaction with instructor Victoria Brzustowicz as they work at their own pace.
This class is suitable for beginner and more experienced artists. All tools and materials will be provided. Register here: https://11302.blackbaudhosting.com/11302/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=bafb5370-6ebd-4e13-b462-c696e9140ee3
Click here to download Sergei Bongart’s notes on painting in a PDF format.