Tanya’s guidance and support has been invaluable to my journey through the Mastery Program. I spent less time second guessing myself and more time perfecting my craft. I know I’m much farther along in my career at this point because of the extra 1:1 attention.

Mentorship Casey Wakefield Casey is a wonderful mentor for Milan Art Institute and I honestly feel blessed through working with her. From our first meeting she wanted to know specifically how she could help me grow as an artist in both my skills and in my journey toward becoming a professional artist. Casey was encouraging and supportive and her advice was invaluable, with each suggestion advancing my understanding of mediums, processes, colour mixing and compositions etc. This also resulted in a clear improvement in my artistic skills and finished work. One thing I carry with me since graduating is the depth and interest in my art resulting from her encouragement to push my process further with both my colour palette and by adding more layers. As Casey has been through the programme and is now working as a professional artist and selling her beautiful work in galleries, her knowledge, personal experience and advice were invaluable. When I was creating my website we worked closely together, giving me confidence and ensuring I included everything required and that it reflected my voice as an artist. Casey is extremely organised and professional but also very personable and we built a lovely friendship throughout my mentoring period. She was generous in sharing her experiences in both life and art and that allowed me to be open and honest and this is what a good mentoring relationship is all about. Casey made my journey through the programme so much easier and enjoyable and has been instrumental in guiding me to become a professional artist. Merryn Lamb

Working with Rita over the past 8 months has been an incredible experience. From day one, she’s been exactly what I’ve needed - honest, direct, and deeply insightful. There’s no fluff or sugar-coating, which I absolutely love. She tells it like it is, and her feedback is always thorough, constructive, and balanced with just the right amount of encouragement - especially in those moments when I start doubting myself or questioning my abilities. I ask a lot of questions and often send messages as I try to untangle my own thoughts and creative decisions, and Rita has consistently met me with patience, clarity, and grace. I’m progressing slowly through the programme, as I’m also building and running a large part of my art business alongside it, but Rita has never made me feel behind or out of step. She’s supported me not only in my mastery program growth but also in navigating the business side of things, always going above and beyond. Having a mentor makes a huge difference in moving through the program. Watching the videos is incredibly helpful, but it’s not the same as having someone to talk things through with. Rita gives real-time, tailored advice on my work and helps me through challenges that are specific to my style, goals, and growth. She also brings a level of structure and accountability that helps keep me grounded and moving forward with the course, even when life gets chaotic or self-doubt creeps in. I really think having a mentor makes so much difference. What’s been really special is that our relationship doesn’t feel purely transactional or limited to the curriculum. I truly feel like I’ve gained a friend through this mentorship. Most of our conversations happen through voice notes, which we both seem to be the best at 😂 and it creates a human connection despite the long distance over the Atlantic Ocean (I’m in the U.K.) I’m incredibly grateful to the Milan Art Institute and for the opportunity to work with Rita. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor, and I really hope we get the chance to collaborate creatively in person one day! Thank you for everything you do!! Lauren Hawkins Part 3/4 Mastery student

I was struggling to find my voice and archetype so I decided to get a mentor. Casey didn’t tell me the answer, but did a great job guiding me to find it on my own. She looked at my portfolio so far and told me that the work looked cohesive, which was a relief to know I was on the right path. She helped demystify the art world for me, which gave me confidence. I had never talked at length with a professional artist before. She also gave helpful critiques on my art, which made a big difference in the final paintings. Overall, it was a great experience. Thank you Casey!

I am so glad that I chose to have a personal mentor. Ritika has always been encouraging and supportive. She has provide advice and constructive criticism in a positive and supportive way. Her responses to my questions have always been timely. She kept me going in part one when the perfectionist in me lost confidence because my skills weren’t where I wanted them. I believe her support and encouragement helped me get through at times when I thought I wasn’t good enough. My mentor has encouraged me to push my boundaries and I have seen the growth between my first portfolio piece and the piece I just finished. My mentor has built my confidence in making my own decisions about my work . As well as a mentor I feel I have gained a friend in this profession whose advice I value and respect.

Taking the Mastery Program was life changing for me in 2022. And being mentored helped me stay calm and focused while being given positive feedback that allowed me to get the most from working with the artistic knowledge. In the process of growth and change of the Mastery Program . In part four of the mastery program Casey my mentor said maybe you could try creating books because your work has such a strong narrative. The paintings tell a story. This planted a seed for future reference. After graduating I lost my way for a time until I remembered what my mentor had said. How my art told a story. This allowed me to pivot direction to my true purpose. Today I have a five year plan to build an artist self publishing brand and have goal based on my longest deepest held vision for myself. Using what I learned in my year working with a mentor and building a portfolio. I could see the potential and path before me. By looking back at the body of work. The conversations with Casey still help me today. Having a mentor helped me so much I will always be grateful to Casey for her help and guidance. Which was both practical and emotionally insightful.

Tanya has been an incredible source of support for me. During a time when I felt stuck and down in the program, she took the initiative to call me, providing clear guidance and uplifting my spirits. Whenever I faced resistance, she was right there, gently checking in on how I was doing. Her genuine care and encouragement have truly made a difference in my journey and have helped me to move forward. Thank you so much, Tanya! :)

Having a mentor has been one of the best experiences and choices I made. I would definitely recommend a mentorship. Braighlee has helped me so much. She sees things that I miss, will make suggestions, but most of all she has helped me to SEE. It is quite a difference when your world opens up. My progress has definitely improved. I never thought that I would Ever do faces. Braighlee helped me to learn that I really need to get the shadows darker and work on coloring. I never would have known to mix the dark color for the shadows. It didn’t seem normal, but wow, made a big difference. So yes, having a mentor has been a godsend.

My mentor (SL) has all the skills, artistically, professionally and even personally that I so desperately needed to develop to be successful in his program and in my life. Foremost she had confidence in my ability to do everything necessary for every assignment; she modeled how to view developing skills as just that —never as failures— and while she gave lots of praise, it was always mixed with enough improvement suggestions that I never took her praise as false or diluted. She was, is, an absolute rock. She helped me persevere countless times in countless ways. I’ll never be able to repay this debt but will certainly try to model more of the patience, compassion, objectivity, open mindedness, resourcefulness, and dogged optimism she brings into everything she does.

Ritika was honestly the reason I got through the Mastery Program as well as I did. Having her as my mentor helped me stay on track and actually get things done. Each week I’d start a new project, and knowing I had her there for support made such a difference. She was always encouraging, generous with her feedback, and gave helpful suggestions that pushed me to grow without ever feeling overwhelmed. One of the biggest things she helped me with was building confidence. Especially towards the end of the program, she really helped me tune into my own artistic instincts – to know what was working, what needed adjusting, and how to trust myself more. That kind of growth isn’t just technical – it’s emotional too, and she held space for all of it beautifully. I ended up completing the program in about 13 months, and I didn’t stop at the required 20 pieces… I finished with over 40. Part of me just didn’t want to stop working with her! Having her in my corner made it all feel possible. I’d 100% do it all again, and I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to recommend her. Total game-changer.

The mentorship program has definitely been a game changer. Having a personal support system has given me the encouragement and confidence to achieve my goals. , ask questions and have honest discussions on all areas of the program. When struggling with confidence and uncertainty with my process and skill level, my mentor opened up my mind to positivity and focus to help me push through the barriers I had put in front of myself and show me that I just needed to believe in myself. Now through the portfolio section she has been an undeniable support, constantly encouraging me to pursue my voice through my paintings. She believes in my ability to make this happen. I still have a way to go but with this support to the finish line I know I will make it. My mentor believes in me. Now I believe in me and that makes having a mentor the best support system for the Mastery Program.

My year with Milan Art Institute and my mentor, Tanya Aubut, was the best. I learned so much and grew with leaps and bounds as an artist. I will be honest though, it was not always easy and when I doubted myself Tanya kept me going. I don't believe she realizes how much our Zoom conversations meant to me, but they really helped me keep going. Tanya was critical of my work, not in a negative way, but she was not about telling me how good something was. She was excellent at telling me what was missing and how I might consider improving it with little tweeks here and there. There was a time or two that I really didn't want to hear what she had to say because that would mean I had to change a painting that I wanted to be finished with, but every time she was right. The corrections she gave me were so right. I got to a point where I didn't know if I could go without her, but she showed me that I could do it myself. Perserverance. Stick-to-it-ness. That is what it takes to learn to correct your own mistakes and find your own way. Thank you Tanya.

Working with Tanya was a defining moment for me in my art practice. Overall she enabled my confidence in my own level of skill and to see myself as a professional artist. Her input was invaluable with thoughtful critiques that have allowed me to finish my work to a higher standard. I used to get hung up on finishing a painting and the important final details but thanks to Tanya I'm able to run a mental checklist now as part of my process. Tanya encouraged me to take part in pop-up events which is a great way to meet potential clients and has been quite successful for me in this first full year of business. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Tanya and mentorship with the Milan Art Team.

Hi, My mentor is Tanya Aubut. I really like her joy for life and arts! Tanya is really professional. She is true and sincere regarding her feedback on my assignment. She sends me frequently messages to ask me if everything is okay and reminds me that she is there anytime if I need her help. We see that she really cares about her mentees! She taught me something regarding Pixelmator that is very useful to look if my proportions are right. I really like to get advice like this! She is supportive regarding my health condition and I have no words to express my gratitude. Tanya is special to me! I started the mastery program because of her! And I will finish it with her!💪🌟🫶 Many thanks to Tanya!🙏

Briana’s been amazing! Even after all what she’s been through this year she still shows up and gives others her support, she’s an incredible human being that I really admire. Having that one on one support with someone who truly gets your style and direction is just fantastic, signing up for a mentor was the best thing I’ve done throughout this programme! Having Briana has really given me the confidence to push those boundaries where I needed to and help me grow with confidence as an artist.

1.Flo has been an unconditional supporter, helping me better understand my form, my style, and improve my drawing. 2. In one of my works , it was a commission, I did it in acrylics, she told me to finish it with oils so we could give it the plans and make a difference in the work, that was the best advice she could have given me because I did it and do it now and I feel it makes a visible difference, which I love. 3. I am mor attentive to proportions, compositions and tones. It’s really important for me to have Flo as my menthor

Having Tanya as a mentor during the Mastery Program was one of the most impactful parts of my artistic journey. Her support went beyond technical advice—she helped me believe in myself, trust my artistic instincts, and stay grounded through the ups and downs of the creative process. Tanya had this rare gift of seeing both who I was and who I was becoming as an artist. She knew when to challenge me and when to reassure me. Her feedback was always thoughtful, encouraging, and precise—offering direction without ever limiting my creative voice. One moment that stands out was during a particularly difficult period when I was doubting my path. I had hit a creative block and felt overwhelmed. Tanya’s words, calm presence, and insightful questions helped me reconnect with my deeper “why.” That session was a turning point—not just for my art, but for my confidence. With her guidance, I’ve learned to embrace my uniqueness, to refine my visual language, and to push myself with joy instead of pressure. I feel more aligned with who I am as an artist. I’ve produced some of my most meaningful and personal works during this mentorship, and I now feel equipped to take the next step with clarity and purpose. Tanya’s mentorship was a safe, inspiring, and deeply transformative space. I’m truly grateful.

My mentor, Briana Hume, helped me in many ways, including critiquing my paintings and suggesting necessary changes. These allowed me to gain confidence and improve my art in the Mastery Program. (See paintings before critique (left) and and after critique (right) Briana’s encouragement and mentorship to participate in one of the monthly contests of Mastery Program provided me a perspective that made a big difference in my artistic journey. I learnt so much from Briana’s tutelage that I am planning to graduate from the Mastery Program in a year. She has been patient, understanding and extremely diligent in responding to my needs as soon as possible. I greatly appreciate her for providing me with info and guidance for the last 9 months. She is a superb individual and a mentor.

What a wonderful opportunity to have a mentor as one journeys through their development as an artist. I am fortunate to be under the leadership of Brianna, who has the patience extraordinaire. She is gentle, helpful, knowledgeable, encouraging, and a wonderful artist in her own right. My journey has been laborious because my family comes first. With four grandchildren, whom I have the privilege to guide, there is little time for my art. Everytime I think, now they can paint along with me, a new one comes along, pushing my timeline far down the road. Brianna helped me schedule a time to explore, paint as I could and get down the program. I may get the award for the long time working through this course, but I will complete it, and give credit to Brianna for my accomplishment. I would encourage all to have a mentor, because I know how much I depend on mine. Thank you Brianna!

I am so happy I decided to get a mentor in section 2. I am getting so much immediate feedback and learning so much. Best decision since I decided to start the Mastery Program.

Briana Hume has given me so much more than painting advice and critique. She’s teaching me to see my work with more objective eyes. She’s helping me to see a vision for my art-and for me personally- that is much bigger than I’d have without her. Most importantly to me, Briana is helping build my confidence. Yes—every painting I’ve done in the program is better because Briana is walking along side me. More though, every painting I’ll do in the future will have some Briana in it. I give Briana Hume my highest recommendation.

My mentor was Rita Vicari. Rita was extremely helpful and motivating throughout the whole program. She helped me master proportions, the importance of composition, color theory and color story. She also taught me many other tips and tricks with marketing and creating sources. I tend to be quite the perfectionist and overthink a lot and I think Rita really pushed me to think out of the box and be more confident with my brushstrokes. This push has really helped me let go of control which makes painting much more enjoyable for me and I think that confidence now shows in my art. I can’t thank her enough for giving me that confidence and push.

Ceci's mentoring has been my greatest asset during my mastery program journey. I learned to accept critique, work through problems and take the piece just a little further. She helped me notice things that I never would have noticed on my own. Each time I worked on an assignment, I would be sure they were as far as I could push them and like a child with refrigerator art, I'd proudly show my mentor and she'd say "It needs more brush strokes or more color variety or..." I'd always politely say "Okay thanks, I'll fix it." I only pouted a few times, I promise! Her guidance has been priceless and I made a friend. Choosing a mentor to advise me was the second smartest choice I made, the first was signing up for the mastery program!

My experience on this journey would not have been as good without my mentor. I needed her to show me the things I didn’t see. I also find her to be a great resource when I need that extra nudge or a little confidence boost, though, I don’t think that is her job, she has always been available when I was falling short. I have tortured her with my bad art, good art, and everything in between and she has taken all of it in stride, providing great insights and coaching. I am not done with the program, and I will continue to keep her as my mentor for as long as she will have me.

Tanya has been a super huge help for me to talk through things and push me past my comfort zone. I am so grateful to have her as a mentor. It’s also great to have a fellow Canadian as my mentor so I can ask some country specific questions.

Ritika Aurora has been an incredible mentor throughout my Mastery Program journey. She helped me grow both artistically and personally by constantly encouraging me, offering practical advice, and pushing me to stay committed until I graduated. I especially appreciate how she motivated me during moments of doubt — those were turning points that kept me moving forward. Thanks to her unwavering support, I not only completed the program but also gained so much confidence in myself and my art. I’m forever grateful for her guidance.

Where do I start.I have a lot of lovely things to say about Ritika Aurora❤️.She is an amazing mentor and an amazing friend.she was there for me when I was happy and when I was low she pushed me to become a better artist she had faith in me when I doubted my self and helped me find my voice.she was a friend when I needed one and she is a great listener.she helped me so much through this beautiful journey. I am so grateful for Ritika Aurora and she will always be in my heart ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Tanya’s guidance and support has been invaluable to my journey through the Mastery Program. I spent less time second guessing myself and more time perfecting my craft. I know I’m much farther along in my career at this point because of the extra 1:1 attention.

Mentorship Casey Wakefield Casey is a wonderful mentor for Milan Art Institute and I honestly feel blessed through working with her. From our first meeting she wanted to know specifically how she could help me grow as an artist in both my skills and in my journey toward becoming a professional artist. Casey was encouraging and supportive and her advice was invaluable, with each suggestion advancing my understanding of mediums, processes, colour mixing and compositions etc. This also resulted in a clear improvement in my artistic skills and finished work. One thing I carry with me since graduating is the depth and interest in my art resulting from her encouragement to push my process further with both my colour palette and by adding more layers. As Casey has been through the programme and is now working as a professional artist and selling her beautiful work in galleries, her knowledge, personal experience and advice were invaluable. When I was creating my website we worked closely together, giving me confidence and ensuring I included everything required and that it reflected my voice as an artist. Casey is extremely organised and professional but also very personable and we built a lovely friendship throughout my mentoring period. She was generous in sharing her experiences in both life and art and that allowed me to be open and honest and this is what a good mentoring relationship is all about. Casey made my journey through the programme so much easier and enjoyable and has been instrumental in guiding me to become a professional artist. Merryn Lamb

Working with Rita over the past 8 months has been an incredible experience. From day one, she’s been exactly what I’ve needed - honest, direct, and deeply insightful. There’s no fluff or sugar-coating, which I absolutely love. She tells it like it is, and her feedback is always thorough, constructive, and balanced with just the right amount of encouragement - especially in those moments when I start doubting myself or questioning my abilities. I ask a lot of questions and often send messages as I try to untangle my own thoughts and creative decisions, and Rita has consistently met me with patience, clarity, and grace. I’m progressing slowly through the programme, as I’m also building and running a large part of my art business alongside it, but Rita has never made me feel behind or out of step. She’s supported me not only in my mastery program growth but also in navigating the business side of things, always going above and beyond. Having a mentor makes a huge difference in moving through the program. Watching the videos is incredibly helpful, but it’s not the same as having someone to talk things through with. Rita gives real-time, tailored advice on my work and helps me through challenges that are specific to my style, goals, and growth. She also brings a level of structure and accountability that helps keep me grounded and moving forward with the course, even when life gets chaotic or self-doubt creeps in. I really think having a mentor makes so much difference. What’s been really special is that our relationship doesn’t feel purely transactional or limited to the curriculum. I truly feel like I’ve gained a friend through this mentorship. Most of our conversations happen through voice notes, which we both seem to be the best at 😂 and it creates a human connection despite the long distance over the Atlantic Ocean (I’m in the U.K.) I’m incredibly grateful to the Milan Art Institute and for the opportunity to work with Rita. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor, and I really hope we get the chance to collaborate creatively in person one day! Thank you for everything you do!! Lauren Hawkins Part 3/4 Mastery student

I was struggling to find my voice and archetype so I decided to get a mentor. Casey didn’t tell me the answer, but did a great job guiding me to find it on my own. She looked at my portfolio so far and told me that the work looked cohesive, which was a relief to know I was on the right path. She helped demystify the art world for me, which gave me confidence. I had never talked at length with a professional artist before. She also gave helpful critiques on my art, which made a big difference in the final paintings. Overall, it was a great experience. Thank you Casey!

I am so glad that I chose to have a personal mentor. Ritika has always been encouraging and supportive. She has provide advice and constructive criticism in a positive and supportive way. Her responses to my questions have always been timely. She kept me going in part one when the perfectionist in me lost confidence because my skills weren’t where I wanted them. I believe her support and encouragement helped me get through at times when I thought I wasn’t good enough. My mentor has encouraged me to push my boundaries and I have seen the growth between my first portfolio piece and the piece I just finished. My mentor has built my confidence in making my own decisions about my work . As well as a mentor I feel I have gained a friend in this profession whose advice I value and respect.

Taking the Mastery Program was life changing for me in 2022. And being mentored helped me stay calm and focused while being given positive feedback that allowed me to get the most from working with the artistic knowledge. In the process of growth and change of the Mastery Program . In part four of the mastery program Casey my mentor said maybe you could try creating books because your work has such a strong narrative. The paintings tell a story. This planted a seed for future reference. After graduating I lost my way for a time until I remembered what my mentor had said. How my art told a story. This allowed me to pivot direction to my true purpose. Today I have a five year plan to build an artist self publishing brand and have goal based on my longest deepest held vision for myself. Using what I learned in my year working with a mentor and building a portfolio. I could see the potential and path before me. By looking back at the body of work. The conversations with Casey still help me today. Having a mentor helped me so much I will always be grateful to Casey for her help and guidance. Which was both practical and emotionally insightful.

Tanya has been an incredible source of support for me. During a time when I felt stuck and down in the program, she took the initiative to call me, providing clear guidance and uplifting my spirits. Whenever I faced resistance, she was right there, gently checking in on how I was doing. Her genuine care and encouragement have truly made a difference in my journey and have helped me to move forward. Thank you so much, Tanya! :)

Having a mentor has been one of the best experiences and choices I made. I would definitely recommend a mentorship. Braighlee has helped me so much. She sees things that I miss, will make suggestions, but most of all she has helped me to SEE. It is quite a difference when your world opens up. My progress has definitely improved. I never thought that I would Ever do faces. Braighlee helped me to learn that I really need to get the shadows darker and work on coloring. I never would have known to mix the dark color for the shadows. It didn’t seem normal, but wow, made a big difference. So yes, having a mentor has been a godsend.

My mentor (SL) has all the skills, artistically, professionally and even personally that I so desperately needed to develop to be successful in his program and in my life. Foremost she had confidence in my ability to do everything necessary for every assignment; she modeled how to view developing skills as just that —never as failures— and while she gave lots of praise, it was always mixed with enough improvement suggestions that I never took her praise as false or diluted. She was, is, an absolute rock. She helped me persevere countless times in countless ways. I’ll never be able to repay this debt but will certainly try to model more of the patience, compassion, objectivity, open mindedness, resourcefulness, and dogged optimism she brings into everything she does.

Ritika was honestly the reason I got through the Mastery Program as well as I did. Having her as my mentor helped me stay on track and actually get things done. Each week I’d start a new project, and knowing I had her there for support made such a difference. She was always encouraging, generous with her feedback, and gave helpful suggestions that pushed me to grow without ever feeling overwhelmed. One of the biggest things she helped me with was building confidence. Especially towards the end of the program, she really helped me tune into my own artistic instincts – to know what was working, what needed adjusting, and how to trust myself more. That kind of growth isn’t just technical – it’s emotional too, and she held space for all of it beautifully. I ended up completing the program in about 13 months, and I didn’t stop at the required 20 pieces… I finished with over 40. Part of me just didn’t want to stop working with her! Having her in my corner made it all feel possible. I’d 100% do it all again, and I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to recommend her. Total game-changer.

The mentorship program has definitely been a game changer. Having a personal support system has given me the encouragement and confidence to achieve my goals. , ask questions and have honest discussions on all areas of the program. When struggling with confidence and uncertainty with my process and skill level, my mentor opened up my mind to positivity and focus to help me push through the barriers I had put in front of myself and show me that I just needed to believe in myself. Now through the portfolio section she has been an undeniable support, constantly encouraging me to pursue my voice through my paintings. She believes in my ability to make this happen. I still have a way to go but with this support to the finish line I know I will make it. My mentor believes in me. Now I believe in me and that makes having a mentor the best support system for the Mastery Program.