Debbie Tawse - Studio Owner
Debbie is the founder and owner of marmaladeskies. A proud graduate of the University of Texas, Debbie’s B.S. in Advertising prepared her for a career in visual communication. Having worked many years as a camp director, scout leader, birthday party coordinator, event planner, and of course a mother, Debbie finally found a way to combine her creative side with her skill as a teacher and planner. Inspired by the creative projects on HGTV, she quickly mastered the art of mosaic, and in 2006 jumped on the opportunity to create this lively, colorful, open art studio in her own neighborhood. Email Debbie.
Amber Harrison - Studio Manager
Amber's is the smiling face you'll see every time you walk into marmaladeskies. In addition to teaching classes, Amber is also the general studio manager, educational director, and gallery manager. A Tennessee native, Amber earned her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Southern Virginia University. She loves exploring new art mediums and letting her passion for art spread to those around her as they learn together. Amber specializes in figure drawing and multimedia art. She's a strong believer in the therapeutic qualities of the creative experience for the artist and art viewer. See her Portfolio at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28940775@N06/. Email Amber.
Olga Hall - Scout Coordinator.
Olga is a Texas native and proud of it! She is a crafter by nature and loves yummy fabrics, cool papers, and dabbles in a little bit of everything else. The proud mother of 2 teenagers, Olga loves teaching younger kiddos at the studio to "reminisce the good ol' days." She taught preschool for 3 years, has been a participating room mom, a dedicated librarian at Redeemer Lutheran School for 5 years, and is now a Girl Scout troop leader and certified counsel trainer. Talk to Olga about scheduling a scout troop or party at the studio. Email Olga.
Art Instructors
Collin Welsch
Collin graduated from the University of Texas in 1995 and
the University of Houston Law Center in 1997. After
practicing law for about 7 years and having her two
children, she decided to ditch her traditional career and to
pursue her dream of a career in art. She picked up some
paint brushes, acrylic paints, and stretched canvases
and went to work. Collin says she is thoroughly enjoying her new
profession. Check out her web site at: www.collinwelsch.com.
Carolyn Somes
Carolyn just moved to Austin from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Fine Art. Her specialty is in acrylic painting, but works with a variety of media including printmaking, stop-motion animation, woodworking, and illustration. The most rewarding part of teaching for her is watching a student take their new knowledge and apply it on their own. Most of her teaching experience comes from working as a sailing instructor, and as a trip leader with a backpacking camp in northern Michigan. She enjoys doing freelance work and her portfolio is posted online at www.carolynsomes.com. She also maintains a store on Etsy at the address www.mouseandlion.etsy.com. Check out her Painting classes for kids and adults!
Samantha Hlavaty
Samantha is the owner of Nepenthe's Bathtime, an Austin based bath & body company. She is an Austin native who grew up in the Monterey Bay area, and has always had a strong passion for arts, crafts, and bath products. She has combined years of art classes, Visual Communication & 3D Animation skills with her knowledge of botanicals & bath products to create fun and artistic creations using soap as her main medium. See samples of her work at www.nepenthesbathtime.com & www.nepenthesbathtime.etsy.com.
Check out her Soap Making classes!
Randee M. Ketzel
Randee studied Byzantine art and archaeology in Florida before her love of handcraft drove her to become the youngest—and one of the few—women jewelers in the Southeast at the age of 23. After sensibly immigrating to Texas, motherhood obliged her to find less volatile outlets, and she explored various media before finding her ultimate niche in Polymer Clay. She currently creates and teaches classes in the Austin metro area, and is a member both of the National and the Austin Polymer Clay Guilds. Ms. Ketzel makes her home in NW Austin with her charming husband, adorable talented children, and a miniature dachshund.
Check out her polymer clay classes!
Susan Svirsky
Susan earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Virginia but also enjoyed taking art classes and education classes. She has worked both as a social worker and a special education teacher. Since childhood, she has enjoyed pursuing many areas of art as well as sewing, designing and crocheting. Also dabbling in photography, photo restoration, computer graphics and animation, she has designed logos, flyers and web sites for several community organizations while raising two children. She believes her greatest joy lies in creating new things and loves to experiment with media in new ways and has enjoyed teaching arts and crafts to children and adults of all ages and abilities. "Many days when I am experimenting with art and materials," Susan says, "I feel like a mad scientist." Check out Susan's portfolio at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/susansvirsky/sets/ .
