PHILOSOPHY 
I’ve always believed the most valuable thing I can offer another artist isn’t a formula, but attention;
real, focused time spent looking closely at what you’re making, and giving you a little more perspective on it.
Working alongside you in the studio, whether one-on-one or together with another artist, I hope you leave each session trusting your own instincts a little more, stepping outside your habitual ways of working, and seeing your practice with fresh eyes.
Book a Session
MENTORING
I offer focused, individual guidance for artists wanting to develop their practice within a personal and responsive studio environment. Rather than follow a predetermined programme, I let each session respond to your existing practice, current work, experience and individual goals.
My intention is to help you recognise and strengthen what is already emerging within your practice, while providing constructive, honest guidance where it can add the most value.
SESSION FORMATS
Sessions are available one-on-one or for two artists who would like to attend together. Each session is 2.5 hours and takes place in my Stellenbosch Studio, though your own space can be arranged on request, with an additional cost depending on travel time. 
One-on-One Private Mentoring
2.5 hours | R1,950 per session
Two-Person Private Mentoring
2.5 hours | R1,250 per artist (R2,500 total)
One-on-One and Two-Person Private Mentoring Sessions can be booked on the following days & times; 
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10:00 - 12:30
Alternative dates and times can be arranged on request.
The first session begins with a conversation around your current practice, previous experience and what you would specifically like to develop. Together, we identify where focused guidance would be most valuable, without unnecessarily revisiting techniques or information you already know.
From there, each session develops according to your individual practice and may include:
Developing current work and ideas
Individual feedback and constructive critique
Material and process exploration
Composition and visual language
Working through creative blocks or areas of uncertainty
Developing greater confidence and independence within your practice
MATERIALS & MEDIUM
You are welcome to work in the medium or combination of media most relevant to your own practice.
As a private mentoring session rather than a workshop, not all materials are included — please bring along whatever paints, paper or other supplies you plan to work with. If you find you’re missing something on the day, I’m happy to supplement where I can.
If you’d like to bring reference images and don’t have printouts, these can also be viewed on my monitor during the session.  Mentoring can extend beyond the materials I use within my own studio practice, particularly where the focus is on composition, visual language, process, experimentation and the development of the work as a whole.
Where highly specialised technical knowledge falls outside my own area of practice, I will always be transparent about this.
STUDIO APPROACH
Sessions are focused but informal, allowing space for conversation, observation and uninterrupted making.
Guidance may take the form of discussion, practical demonstration, material experimentation or constructive critique, depending on what is most useful at the time. 
Independent working time is an important part of the process, with guidance available throughout as the work develops. My aim is to encourage greater confidence and independence in your own decision-making rather than dependence on continual direction.
Please let me know in advance of any allergies, health considerations, or access needs, so I can prepare accordingly. Sessions are attended at your own risk within the studio space.
With your permission, and always respecting your privacy, I may occasionally photograph work in progress for my own portfolio or Instagram. Please let me know if you’d prefer to keep your sessions private.
BETWEEN SESSIONS
Occasional brief WhatsApp check-ins between sessions are welcome for a quick question, clarification or response to something arising from work we have already discussed. 
More detailed critique, the development of new work or discussions requiring closer consideration are best kept for our mentoring sessions, where we have the time and space to engage with the work properly. 
I respond when my studio schedule allows rather than in real time.
SESSIONS, FEES, BOOKING & PAYMENT
One-on-One Private Mentoring
2.5 hours | R1,950 per session
Two-Person Private Mentoring
2.5 hours | R1,250 per artist
Bookings and payment is made via Booklink
Please use your name, surname initial and session date as reference when making payment - eg. MichelleS10Sept
The contact details you provide are used only to arrange and manage your sessions.

RESCHEDULING & CANCELLATIONS
Should a session need to be rescheduled on my side, I’ll always give as much notice as possible and offer you an alternative date. I’d ask the same of you in return: please give at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to reschedule or cancel, as sessions cancelled with less notice than this, or missed without notice, are non-refundable.
By booking a session, the artist confirms that they have read and accept the session format, fees and booking arrangements outlined in this document.
E-mail | msolartist@gmail.com

I hope you leave with more than a finished artwork: With greater confidence in experimentation, a deeper understanding of the materials, and a few unexpected discoveries worth pursuing further. I look forward to working with you in the studio.
Keep observing.
Keep experimenting.
Keep allowing the materials to surprise you.