Mariana, pictured above holding her final project, has been a student at Art of Excellence since she was 5 years old and she not only loves creating art, but she has become proficient in all mediums and is able to choose which medium will work best with her subject matter! She has been accepted into Drexler University. Congratulations Mariana!

Below is a small collection of Mariana's work over the years:

#congratulations #graduates #2026 #artstudents #artofexcellence #fairlawn #nj

We are always proud when our artists complete their projects, and we have several completions to share for May! 

Special mention: there are “3D Art” pictures by three of our younger students. This was a project for young beginners in art to help learn how to rotate the watercolor brushes to create the illusion of realistic flowers. The 3D butterflies were made from physically layering the subject with dimensional tape. They also added 3D effects to some flowers with colored tissue paper and decorative beads. This project was new, fun, and very helpful and we look forward to future projects like this! 

Please take some time to like and share these amazing works and to appreciate the time and dedication put in by each of our students!

~Live through artistic expression

​​​​#fineart #charcoal #pencilart #youngartists #studentart #artshowcase #watercolor #oil #artlessons #stilllife #technique #firstpainting #watercolorpainting #creativejourney ​#discoveryourart #learntopaint #creativelife #artmotivation  #artgoals #becreative #artstudio #FairLawn #NewJersey #art #students #privatelessons #artlessons #artofexcellence

Today (May 10th) is National Small Business Day and Mother's Day! In recognition of both, AOE is showcasing some of Rina's favorite, personal works.

Rina's art has been displayed all over Bergen County including at the Bergen Museum of Art and Science, The Bergen Pac, The Ridgewood Art Museum, Fair Lawn Public Library, in parts of Upstate New York, and abroad in Europe!

We are always impressed with the instruction she provides for her many students, and we also are impressed with her own creations. 

Please take a moment and appreciate the art behind the artist at Art of Excellence Studio, Rina.

~ Live through artistic expression

#nationalsmallbusinessday #mothersday #art #artofexcellencestudio

Here at the AOE Studios, our students have been very busy finishing up their projects, and we have so many wonderful new pieces to share for April! 

Please take some time to view these selections of art, and feel free to like and share! 

~Live through artistic expression

​​​#fineart #charcoal #pencilart #youngartists #studentart #artshowcase #watercolor #oil #artlessons #stilllife #technique #firstpainting #watercolorpainting #creativejourney ​#discoveryourart #learntopaint #creativelife #artmotivation  #artgoals #becreative #artstudio #FairLawn #NewJersey #art #students #privatelessons #artlessons #artofexcellence

Spring is in the air! Our students here at the AOE Studio have been very busy finishing current projects so that they can start fresh pieces. We have students who have tried new scenes, and even have some firsts in media!

Please take some time to look at their art which they've worked so hard on, like and share! 

~Live through artistic expression

​​#fineart #charcoal #pencilart #youngartists #studentart #artshowcase #watercolor #artlessons #stilllife #technique #firstpainting #watercolorpainting #creativejourney ​#discoveryourart #learntopaint #creativelife #artmotivation  #artgoals #becreative #artstudio #FairLawn #NewJersey #art #students #privatelessons #artlessons #artofexcellence 

In honor of both National Small Business Day and Mother's Day, this Month we are including a special spotlight in which the art of the artist herself is being showcased! 

Rina has shared some of her works that she is most pleased with, and that have been exhibited in art shows and galleries across Bergen County and New York at such venues as: the Bergen Arts Center in Englewood, the Bergen Museum of Art & Science (BMAS) of Paramus, and more! 

Please take a moment to view these special pieces which were handpicked by Rina to display for this special post.

~Live through artistic expression

We have a special post in honor of Art Director Rina Goldhagen! 

Today is Rina's birthday, and in celebration of her, we are taking some time to reflect on the impact she has made through her art instruction and the passion she possesses for art. 

Throughout her life, Rina has been pursuing and practicing her passion. As a young girl, Rina enjoyed drawing and painting, which she later developed in college, earning a Bachelor's of Science in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Watercolor. Rina has been an exhibiting and accomplished artist with over 30 years of experience, and has used her expertise and passion to support, guide, and instruct art students of all ages. 

Nathan G. and Mariana J. are just two such students who have been taking art lessons at the Art of Excellence Studio for several years, and with Rina's support, have developed and navigated their ways through their respective paths in the arts. 

Natalya M. had a special contract project that she worked on at the studio, and she also had some great feedback to share about Rina! 

In their own words, please see the below testimonials and some representative art for each artist, with an afterword from the Art of Excellence's Operations Manager and Rina's son: Jared E. Patrice. 

#recommendation ​#testimonials #fineart #youngartists #studentart #artshowcase #changingleaves #nature #oil #oilpaint #watercolor #creativejourney ​#discoveryourart #learntodraw #creativelife #artmotivation  #artgoals #becreative #artstudio #FairLawn #NewJersey #art #privatelessons #artlessons #artofexcellence #birthday #artist

​For February's Spotlight, we would like to focus on an AOE🎨Beginner Level student: Gila O.

Gila completed her first watercolor still life painting!

In this piece, she explored and demonstrated several important watercolor techniques, including:
• Thoughtful composition
• Layering watercolor washes to deepen value
• Using complementary colors as underpainting to create richer, more vibrant color relationships

We are so proud of the care and focus she brought to this beautiful still life study. ​Congratulations, Gila, on a wonderful accomplishment in watercolor painting, and on such a strong first step in your art journey!

​​Live through artistic expression~

​#fineart #youngartists #studentart #artshowcase #watercolor #artlessons #stilllife #technique #firstpainting #watercolorpainting #creativejourney ​#discoveryourart #learntopaint #creativelife #artmotivation  #artgoals #becreative #artstudio #FairLawn #NewJersey #art #students #privatelessons #artlessons #artofexcellence 

Here at the Art of Excellence Studio, we love to watch our students growth and development as they learn and perfect their art techniques. This month, we are giving a special focus to Steve O. for his comprehensive work in pencil! 

Steve has been practicing and perfecting his skills, and with the advent of the winter weather we've been having, he was inspired to make several snow-themed scenes. 

Please join us in celebrating his excellent work!

​#fineart #studentart #artshowcase #artlessons #stilllife #technique #nature #pencil #creativejourney ​#discoveryourart #learntodraw #creativelife #artmotivation  #artgoals #becreative #artstudio #FairLawn #NewJersey #art #students #privatelessons #artlessons #artofexcellence ​#2026 #winter

We're starting off 2026 strong! 

With all the snow that we've gotten this winter season, the natural beauty outside has been a big inspiration for our artists! That theme can be seen in our January submissions.

Please show your support and enjoy the following highlights from our studio for January.

Live through artistic expression~


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​#fineart #youngartists #studentart #artshowcase #watercolor #artlessons #stilllife #technique #nature #pencil #creativejourney ​#discoveryourart #learntodraw #creativelife #artmotivation  #artgoals #becreative #artstudio #FairLawn #NewJersey #art #students #privatelessons #artlessons #artofexcellence ​#2026 #winter