Meet Your Muses
Melanie Ann Apel is the Owner and Director of The Paintbrush. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts from Bradley University, and earned a subsequent bachelor’s degree in Respiratory Care from National-Louis University. A native of Lincoln Park, she worked as a pediatric respiratory therapist at Children's Memorial Hospital for six years. Melanie has also been a freelance writer of predominantly children's books (plus the popular pictorial histories Lincoln Park: Chicago and Lincoln Park Revisited) and Cystic Fibrosis: The Ultimate Teen Guide, since the mid-1990s. Melanie is a single mom to two wonderful young boys. She is a PTA mom, a volunteer, and an all-around busy woman. Melanie brings her organizational skills as well as her amazing ability to multitask to The Paintbrush.
Marissa Lessman, our Lead Teacher, is an artist and actress who hails from sunny California! She received her B.F.A. in Acting and Art History from Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She has been working with children in performing and visual arts for the last 7 years and enjoys playing, learning, and a good bowl of chicken noodle soup! Marissa joins The Paintbrush in March 2013 as a teacher of Tiny Artists, Apprentices, Sibs, and Master Artist classes as well as our Jump-n-ART program at Pump It Up, birthday pARTies and summer camps.
Amber Jeanette received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo, where she studied Photography and Digital Imaging as well as Dance. Her love for these arts has progressed her work in both concentrations. She has worked as a freelance graphic designer and photographer, as well as a dance instructor for children's dance studios. Her real passions are teaching and inspiring children artistically. She creates an environment for her students to explore and develop creative interests and encourages them to grow. You can view some of Amber's dance students' performances at ambersdanceblog.wordpress.com and you can view her artist portfolio at amberjeanette.com. Beginning in March 2013 you’ll find Amber teaching The Paintbrush’s Tiny Artists, Apprentices and Master Artists classes as well as birthday pARTies.
Clarissa Zimmerman is a jack-of-all-trades with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She moved to Chicago in the summer of 2010 determined to reintroduce art into her life. She has worked at The Art Institute of Chicago, and interned with The Hyde Park Art Center. In addition to teaching art at The Paintbrush, Clarissa is a Literacy Intern with Open Books, a literacy programming non-profit. She gets her wiggles out as a Play & Learn Teacher at Gymboree in Lakeview. Ultimately she is determining whether or not to take the next big step and pursue a master’s degree in education. She loves using her hands, and is consistently baffled by young creativity. Miss Clare joins The Paintbrush to teach classes in Spring 2013.
Lorenzo Blackett is a native Houstonian who graduated with a B.S. in Theater with an Associate in Art from the University of Evansville (07'). As a theater producer, Lorenzo co-founded The Theater Squeezed Between Walls. Lorenzo is a proud member of the local theater community, most recently participating in the Provision Theater's children musical theater production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Rebecca Trivisonno attended the Savannah College of Art and Design where she studied Illustration. She has worked as a graphic designer as well as a freelance illustrator creating greeting cards, children's book illustrations, and t-shirt designs among other things. Reba has worked as a nanny for several families including children with special needs. She also has a background in theater. Reba grew up in Libertyville, Illinois and Tokyo, Japan. She now lives in Andersonville with her husband and two children, Lionel and Norma. Together they enjoy family and friends, art, reading, dance parties, the outdoors, museums, and snuggling. Rebecca also has many other interests including sewing, knitting, wood-burning, collage, and cooking. She is overjoyed to be able to combine her love for children with her love of art as she joins The Paintbrush birthday pARTy team in the spring of 2013!
Katie Moncton has been teaching art to K-8 students for three years at Lincoln Elementary and is looking forward to joining The Paintbrush this summer for art camp. Katie has loved to draw, paint, and create since an early age and loves bringing that passion to students every day. In 2010 she completed her Master of Arts in Teaching at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. With a bachelor's degree in French, Katie is also a bit of a francophile and has enjoyed teaching art at the Alliance Française's summer camps in the past. Katie particularly enjoys drawing and printmaking; when she's not teaching or art-ing, you may find her cooking or swimming!
Vanessa Jasek brings her love of ART at home to ART at The Paintbrush. This creative mother of three young boys joined The Paintbrush with her youngest son as a participant in our Tiny Artists class. Now the dynamic duo host Monday morning Drop-In ART helping families explore their own love of ART through creative and often spontaneous projects.
Jenelle Madrigal was born and raised in Chicago and discovered art at the age of 4. From then on her love for the arts blossomed. She volunteered at the Chicago Children’s Museum for four years, teaching various art projects to young kids ages 2 through 6. She is currently working towards a yoga certification with the Yoga Alliance and, in her spare time, hosting pARTies with The Paintbrush. She is also in the beginning stages of illustrating a children’s book. She loves to read, her favorite color is yellow and she is a Cubs fan.
Susan Schwab is an art educator and working artist who recently relocated to Chicago from Los Angeles. She has a BFA with a double major of Fine Art and Psychology. She has been instructing preschool through adult students since 1997. Prior to moving to Chicago, Susan worked as an art instructor and artist-in-residence for multiple elementary and middle schools as part of an arts reach organization and was an art specialist for a Malibu, CA elementary school. Since moving to Chicago, Susan has taught cartooning in a CPS after-school program and is employed by an arts center. She is joining The Paintbrush in April 2013 to instruct an 8-week cartooning workshop.
Lorenzo Blackett is a native Houstonian who graduated with a B.S. in Theater with an Associate in Art from the University of Evansville (‘07). As a theater producer, Lorenzo co-founded The Theater Squeezed Between Walls. Lorenzo is a proud member of the local theater community, most recently participating in the Provision Theater's children’s musical theater production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Lorenzo joins The Paintbrush in the spring of 2013 to host birthday pARTies and to teach a Specialty ART Camp over the summer.
Rebecca Trivisonno attended the Savannah College of Art and Design where she studied Illustration. She has worked as a graphic designer as well as a freelance illustrator creating greeting cards, children's book illustrations, and t-shirt designs among other things. Reba has worked as a nanny for several families including children with special needs. She also has a background in theater. Reba grew up in Libertyville, Illinois and Tokyo, Japan. She now lives in Andersonville with her husband and two children, Lionel and Norma. Together they enjoy family and friends, art, reading, dance parties, the outdoors, museums, and snuggling. Reba also has many other interests including sewing, knitting, wood-burning, collage, and cooking. She is overjoyed to be able to combine her love for children with her love of art as she joins The Paintbrush birthday pARTy team in the spring of 2013!
