Meet Your Muses
Mindy S. Apel is the Owner, Artistic Director, and Lead Teacher at The Paintbrush. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in photography from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in elementary education from DePaul University. She taught kindergarten at Resurrection Catholic Academy for four years, and prior to that she was an assistant teacher and French teacher for pre-K through 8 at Catherine Cook School. Mindy decided to leave formal teaching behind and pursue more artistic endeavors. Mindy brings her extraordinary gift for working with children and her love of art and music to The Paintbrush.
Melanie Ann Apel is the Owner and Coordinating 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. 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 history Lincoln Park: Chicago) since the mid-1990s and her newest book Cystic Fibrosis: The Ultimate Teen Guide was published in the spring of 2006. Melanie is the stay-at-home single mom of two energetic little boys. She brings her organizational skills as well as her amazing ability to multitask to The Paintbrush.
Jeremy Broms, who joins us to teach our new Watercolor Workshop, hails from Peoria, Illinois. A recent graduate of Milikin University in Decatur, Jeremy earned his BFA in Art Education and is a certified K-12 teacher. Since 2001 Jeremy has worn many hats when it comes to his work with children. Most notably he has coached soccer, run camp activities, and taught art classes. Jeremy is also a passionate soccer player.
Emily Schmitz, who joins us to teach our new Portrait Workshop, grew up in Savannah, Georgia. She graduated from Colorado State University in May with degrees in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) and Studio Art, with a painting focus. Emily enjoys painting, cooking, biking, snow boarding, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.