realisticus artacademy
Average Rating: 4.9
Votes: 804
Reviews: 163

Meet the Team

thank-you-parent-reviews-testimonials

We would like to introduce you to our amazing Team of Art Tutors. All of our Art Tutors love to Draw & Create and are very passionate about teaching kids Realisticus Art Programmes.


Realisticus Franchise Owners / Head Tutors



Elena Esina

   Elena Esina

   02102360215

  admin@artacademy.co.nz


Franchise Owner/ Head Tutor of Classes in:

Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay, Grey Lynn, Mt Eden, Remuera, Glenfield, Silverdale, Red Beach, Point Chevalier, Mount Albert

I discovered my passion in drawing at the age of 8, I loved landscapes and fantasy. At the age of 13 I was able to draw a crystal wine glass, I felt so proud of the realistic depiction that I started drawing everything and everyone around me :)


I am proud to be the Founder and Principal of such an amazing art school. At Realisticus Art Classes we are able to show kids that all of them can Draw and we are there to teach them how to do it. Every artwork is a creative challenge and that is how you should approach it. The love for Drawing is the love and appreciation for the amazing world surrounding us and if you can draw reality you can draw the imagined. Drawing is the Key skill for Creativity and Innovation.

Lillibet Bothma

   Lillibet Bothma

   02108349988

  lillibet@artacademy.co.nz


Franchise Owner/ Head Tutor of Classes in:

Epsom, Greenlane, Highland Park, Dannemora, Botany

I have loved painting and drawing since I was a little girl. I still do lots of painting at home, and love to do portraits of people the most.


I love that I get to pass on some of the skills I have learnt as an artist to a new generation, and its a great feeling to see kids excell and grow in their own drawing skills.

Maya Calica

   Maya Calica

   0211510115

  maya@artacademy.co.nz


Franchise Owner/ Head Tutor of Classes in:

West Harbour, Greenhithe, Hobsonville Point, Private Link to be Provided, Hobsonville, Albany, Unsworth Heights

I was in kindergarten when I discovered the joys of finger painting and drawing with crayons. As a pre-teener, I doodled Japanese anime characters in the margins of my notebook. I reconnected with my love for drawing about 10 years ago, and have a daily sketchbook habit. I think I've filled about 20 sketchbooks to date!


I love it when children discover new ways to express their creativity with drawings and colours. I've seen kids walk into the room looking very shy and unsure, only to emerge from the class feeling more confident about their drawing skills and themselves.

Realisticus Art Tutors


Fiona Fry

   Fiona


Realisticus Art Tutor

Grey Lynn, Mt Eden, Remuera, Point Chevalier, Mairangi Bay

My Mother asked me to make a birthday card for my Grandmother. I went to the garden and selected some of her favorite flowers, Primroses and Snowdrops - as it was Spring in England. I made a posy and set it on the table. I remember clearly how I outlined


Realisticus Art Academy has enabled me to pass on my passion for drawing and all things "Art". I relish the satisfaction of enabling students to realise their love of drawing. It is so satisfying to nurture all the children's potential. I believe that this can take place at an early age, as it did with me. Realisticus harnesses this love of drawing and helps the students to create some of their own goals through a proven, studied programme, with a dash of their own individual personalities and skill sets. I had validation recently when one of my students said, "I would never have been able to produce this drawing without you teaching me this". I replied that she had good initial drawing skills. She agreed, but said she would never have thought of this, in terms of the subject, technique, composition and learning, "Just how the pencil/paintbrush needs to be held". For me that's the ultimate validation and that's what being a Realisticus tutor is all about. Passing on a passion and knowledge for drawing and Art.


Lily Smuts

   Lily


Realisticus Art Tutor

West Harbour, Greenhithe, Albany, Unsworth Heights, Private Link to be Provided, Hobsonville

When I was very young; I loved doing art in primary school. At the prime age of 10, I created a colouring book for my friends and family members. So I think it's always been a part of who I am.


I love so many things about being an art tutor, but one of my greatest delights is seeing the passion and happiness the kids express when they create something they are proud of, or something they thought would be too hard to draw. It makes me so happy to see young minds creating such brilliant works or art.


Annmaree Foy

   Annmaree


Realisticus Art Tutor

Greenhithe, Albany, Unsworth Heights, Hobsonville Point, Private Link to be Provided, Hobsonville

I discovered my passion for art in my primary years at school. My first drawings were of horses, then I went on to sketch and paint all kinds of animals as well as New Zealand's ocean landscapes since we lived near the sea. I did well in art competitions, got my art published in the local newspaper, and shown in an Auckland art gallery. I enjoy being creative and gifting art to family and friends.


Teaching children how to create amazing artworks and bringing out their unique creative personalities. It's so rewarding to watch them make beautiful art, seeing them smile while they learn, and catch them realizing, "Wow I drew this!"


Esme Zanchi

   Esme


Realisticus Art Tutor

Epsom, Greenlane, Botany

I have always had a passion for art, drawing and painting especially.


I love to learn new techniques and put them into practice so it is absolutely amazing being able to help others do this too and see the student's skills and confidence grow.


Jeffrey Saldua

   Jeffrey


Realisticus Art Tutor

Epsom, Greenlane

I started drawing when I was only seven years old. My brother pushed me to improve and never cease to evolve and be my own critic with regards to my skills. Practice makes perfect.


What I love most about being a Realisticus Art Tutor is knowing that I can help create and mold the next generation of artists. It is very exciting for me seeing what the next generation of artists has in store.


Emma Lee

   Emma


Realisticus Art Tutor

Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay, Grey Lynn, Glenfield, Silverdale

I started exploring art at a young age, and my passion grew as I became comfortable with various mediums and found my unique style. Artistic experimentation and evolution have been key to my journey, shaping my identity as an artist over time. Whether for personal expression or sharing with others, I've come to value the ever-changing nature of my artistic path.


As an art tutor at Realisticus, I find fulfillment in sharing my passion, helping students grow, and inspiring their creativity.


Jana Guillermo

   Jana


Realisticus Art Tutor

Greenhithe, Browns Bay, Silverdale, Red Beach, Hobsonville, Remuera

I discovered my passion for the arts when I was as young as six years old. I was writing in a diary and I couldn't explain my thoughts and feelings through writing. So I started to doodle pictures to help communicate! As I grew older, I loved discovering new skills and media like painting with acrylics and watercolor, or drawing with charcoal or pastels. Not only was art meaningful, but it was so fun too!


What I love the most about being an art tutor at Realisticus Art Academy is the opportunity to help children develop their skills in art. I love seeing each child's creative process and having the same joy they feel seeing their own unique ideas come to life.


Karen Pizarro Zavala

   Karen


Realisticus Art Tutor

-

I grew up in a household of artesian woman with my mother and grandmother always on the hunt for something new to learn and create. It was a natural flow for me to start drawing at a young age, I enjoy the ability to express myself through art. Throughout my career I have discovered that bright and vibrant colours always join me in my creations.


I enjoy the way our students create drawings to express their own perceptions while developing their skills. It is especially rewarding for me to see how a completed drawing can ignite such excitement and pride for the children.


Meagan  Foster

   Meagan


Realisticus Art Tutor

Highland Park, Botany

My passion for art began at 5 when my dad first taught me how to draw a princess, from there they encouraged me with books and school projects to be creative and develop my love of art across a variety of mediums.


I am passionate about encouraging children to be creative because it encourages their imagination and develops their confidence to express themselves in a productive and rewarding way.


Tracey Archer

   Tracey


Realisticus Art Tutor

Glenfield, Mount Albert, Point Chevalier

My passion for drawing began at an early age, nurtured by my father and older Brother Tim. I was fortunate to have two wonderful art teachers at my school in England, where I was born and raised. They taught me the fundamental sketching and painting techniques which gave me the confidence to explore my own creativity. I spent many hours as a child wandering the beautiful fields and woodlands of the English Cotswolds with my sketchbook and pencils. A habit which continued into adulthood when I travelled the overseas and finally settled in New Zealand. For me, drawing the world around me is a way to truly observe my surroundings and live in the moment. It's my meditation time!


What I love most about being a Realisticus Art Tutor is the opportunity to pass on the knowledge that has given me so much satisfaction over the years. I adore working with children and love seeing their confidence and creativity flourish with their understanding of drawing techniques.