The teaching artist: Kelly Hughes teaches a wide range of arts, from comic book drawing to fashion sketching

No one is too young or too old to create interesting works of art at Open Window Studio in Jackson.

"I teach all ages, from preschool through adult," says Kelly Hughes, business owner and teaching artist.

She remembers vividly when her passion for art began.

"When I was in second grade, I began tracing horses," she says. "I grew up around them and thought they were very beautiful and I loved capturing them on paper. Then I learned to create values and shadows in my drawings, making them look three-dimensional, and I thought that was magic!"

The Open Window Studio's name comes from the old adage that the eyes are the windows to the soul.

LAURA SIMON ~ lsimon@semissourian.com

"I believe that art opens those windows to what we have to share and what is meaningful to us," says Hughes.

At her studio, Hughes tends to gear her classes toward the ages of the students. For children younger than 9, Hughes offers a class called "Adventures in Art."

"In that class, I do a variety of instruction designed to develop art skills, including how to care for art supplies," she says.

For kids older than 9, Hughes teaches fundamentals in drawing, principles of design and specialty classes in water colors, oil painting, acrylics, sculptures, comic book drawing, book making, fashion sketching and constructing fashion garments.

Adults who attend classes at Open Window Studio can experiment with any medium they like.

lsimon@semissourian.com

"There is no set program," says Hughes. "The adults have usually had some form of art classes in the past, maybe back when they were in school, but if not, we start with the basics."

The studio has been in operation for 12 years inside Hughes' home in Jackson. She first began teaching by giving art lessons to her friends' children.

"Friends would ask me to work with their sons and daughters," says Hughes. "I love sharing my passion for art and want to encourage that in the community. I've also taken educator workshops and have improved my own skills. I stay current and love to share what I'm learning."

Hughes offers private and semi-private lessons and teaches group workshops through community organizations, the public library and some private schools in the area.

"During the school year, a lot of kids come after school," says Hughes. "Adults typically come during the day if they are free, or in the evening."

Hughes holds a fine arts degree from Corning College in Corning, New York, and has attended various workshops in art education and specialized art media. While she is skilled as an instructor in a variety of art mediums, she has her favorites when working on her own projects.

"My personal favorites are pastel portraits and drawing wildlife in pencil," says Hughes.

She is inspired by seeing personal growth, whether in herself or in others.

"I'm inspired by ideas that help me to grow and help me to express my interests," she says. "I enjoy providing an environment where we can share our ideas and grow with one another and within ourselves."

Hughes says she believes encouraging artists helps to develop their self-confidence.

"I love encouraging creativity and expression, as it helps develop self-esteem and helps us to see the world in a different way with a new perspective," she says.

Hughes, who is 42, is originally from upstate New York. She and her husband, Chip, have two teenage children, Sierra, 18, and Gabe, 16.

In addition to having a great passion for art, Hughes enjoys a variety of other interests and activities.

"I enjoy gardening and being outdoors," she says. "I also enjoy flying and serving as a flight engineer."

She travels with a tour that flies World War II aircraft.

"I am also a yoga instructor, and that takes a lot of my time," she says.

To learn more about Hughes or register for classes, call 573-243-1448 or visit openwindowstudioart.blogspot.com.