Introducing our instructors
We are honored to present these very talented artists as our regular instructors for our in-person classes. Additionally, Destination: Art hosts several nationally known instructors each year. Please check the education listing regularly HERE.
Paula Vukmanic
Mentor. Pastel and Oil: The Reverend Paula Vukmanic has recently retired as Rector of St Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes Estates. Prior to her years in ministry, Paula was a professional artist exhibiting in galleries in California and Arizona, participating in plein aire events and competitions, giving retreats and workshops on the mandala and teaching plein aire classes on the Palos Verdes Peninsula hills and still life painting in her studio (at the PVAC too!). Paula is excited and is grateful to once again share her world of art and her spiritual perspectives on life with love.
Lynn Mikami
Mixed Media: Lynn Mikami’s family was one of the many Japanese American families who were forcibly incarcerated and imprisoned without charge or trial during World War II. She was born in the Heart Mountain Relocation Camp, Wyoming in 1944. In her body of work, she creates an ongoing series expressing and interpreting the feelings and experiences of her family and fellow internees. Barbed wire, a symbol often found in her work, serves to remind her of her roots and the fragility of the freedoms we enjoy.
Mike Ishikawa
Pastel: Mike Ishikawa is an award winning pastel artist. In 2017, Mike won an Honorable Mention in the 19th Annual Pastel Journal Magazine, Pastel 100 competition and was selected out of 2200 entries. Mike's approach is to start with a colorful underpainting as a springboard to a vibrant pastel. An architect by profession, Mike draws on that knowledge for lively urban scenes and nocturnes, but is equally at home creating beautiful landscapes using strong strokes and bright colors. He enjoys creating paintings that evoke nostalgia.
Joe Mancuso
Pastel: Joe is well known for the quality of light in his work. He is influenced by the seasons and enjoys working on location to accurately see and capture the changing light. In addition to numerous awards for his paintings, Joe achieved Master Circle Status with The International Association of Pastel Societies in 2021. He is a Signature Member with the Pastel Society of America and a “Distinguished Pastelist” with The Pastel Society of the West Coast. He is an Artist Member of the California Art Club, a member of the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters and a member of The Southern California Pastel Society. His paintings hang in private collections throughout North America and Europe.
Frank Minuto
Mentor. Mixed Media: For years, Frank Minuto has been a popular artist, teacher and mentor in the art community. Frank has showcased his artwork in the Kamchatka Museum of Russia, the Museum of Art in Nagasaki, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Frank has also done mural work for ESPN, the Port of Los Angeles, the LAX Airport, and the Museum of Latin American Art. Besides Frank’s impressive experience, he has tremendous ability to provide helpful feedback. His critical eye for art has landed him as a judge for shows and as a host for popular and well attended critiques.
Introducing our Online Academy Instructors
Dori Dewberry
Pastel: Dori has been exploring the process of creating pastel paintings for nearly 23 years. Her lifelong exploration and education into the creative process has been a natural transition to teaching art to young students as well as adults. She does experimentation with new materials, techniques, applications, and shares her knowledge. Having an open dialogue with her students on their art journey is one of the things she loves best.
Rosemary Bandes
Acrylic: Rosemary Bandes is an award-winning artist, known for her prolific work of California impressionist landscapes. She works from her own photographs and on site in California and other locales. Her work is characterized by her use of strong underpainting colors to give her landscapes a dramatic and modern look. Rosemary's work has been shown in galleries throughout southern California and juried into highly competitive shows in Los Angeles including the TAG Gallery Open Exhibition and the LA’s Municipal Gallery’s California Open Exhibition.
Louisa McHugh
Watercolor: Watercolor has always spoken to me in a way that no other medium has. With its luminous, flowing qualities, watercolor provides an endless source of creative expression. My work is often figurative, with several layers of transparent washes that roll over each other, causing the subject to drift in and out of focus. I take inspiration from the ordinary and find beauty in unconventional themes. As my work continues to develop, I enjoy sharing my passion and journey with my students in the classes I teach.
David Wolfram
Pastel and Oil: David was born in Buffalo, NY; and moved to California in 1975. He graduated With Distinction from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena in 1985 with a BA in Illustration. He was employed for almost 22 years as a Toy Designer, and Design Manager at Mattel Inc. After leaving corporate life, inspired by the California Impressionists, David began expressing himself as a fine artist. David is a founding Member, past President and is currently a Gallery Artist at Destination: Art, an art Co-op in Old Torrance. He also teaches, does workshops, demos and judges shows for Southern California Art groups.
Douglas Castleman
Oil and Watercolor: Doug is an award winning painter who specializes in landscape, aerospace, and marine painting. He also works as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. Doug is an Artist Fellow Member of the American Society of Aviation Artists, an artist member of The International Astronomical Association, Los Angeles Society of Illustrators, Torrance Artists Guild, Pacific Artist Guild, and Destination: Art! Many of his paintings are in private and corporate collections, NASA (currently has five in their permanent collection), in addition to the Pentagon. Since 2000, he has taught painting for the Yosemite Association, local workshops, and to many private clients.