Niki Hilsabeck is an artist from Fallbrook, California.

Having spent most of her life painting and drawing, Niki began taking courses in pastels with Temecula artist David Musser in 2004.

Niki currently works primarily in pastel, using a unique method that incorporates wet and dry pastel sticks layered on flat canvas or heavy paper to build deep shadows, create bright lights, and give an added effect of blended texture.  She also paints with acrylic, creating mixed media works with a palette knife and chalk, or painting impressionistic scenes with a brush on canvas.

Being a native of California, Niki finds inspiration in local scenery—particularly that which features the natural world.  Whether it be the twisted trunk of a live oak tree, the glimmering light of an ocean sunset, or a burst of colorful flowers, Niki delights in harnessing the beauty of the scenery around her and bringing it to life with her pastels.

In addition to writing about her painting experiences for her blog, Niki contributes regular articles for Emptyeasel.com.  Having taught upper elementary and middle school students for over ten years, she has created lesson plans for Bright Hub.com and particularly enjoys introducing young people to the freedom of discovering tools such as writing and painting to express themselves creatively.

 Niki is currently an instructor at Fallbrook School of the Arts and teaches a monthly art workshop at St. Stephen Lutheran in Fallbrook, CA.  Niki is available for children’s classes, private art lessons, in-home art instruction for kids and teens, and paint-sip events for adults.

Niki can be reached at nicolehilsabeck@yahoo.com with any inquiries about commission work, art lessons, or current work for sale.

IN-HOME ART INSTRUCTION:
Please click here to go to my “Classes and Events” gallery.  Classes available for charter school students with a P.O. will begin with the words “In-Home” in the title.  If I am an approved vendor for your school and you have a P.O., you may contact me through email with your phone number.   I will then call you to set up a class schedule.  You can view tuition rates for each class by scrolling down in the description to the left of the picture.
If you are interested in private lessons (not through a charter school), please email me with your contact information to arrange sessions.
FAQ:
Why in-home art instruction?
 In my years as a private in-home tutor, I enjoyed working with students in the comfort of their own homes.  As a mother of two children, I understand the exhaustion of driving students around for activities to enrich their lives.  With in-home art instruction, I bring the art class to you!  This means that you don’t have to plan extra time in your day for trips to and from art class.
What do parents need to provide?
In most cases, I will provide materials for each session.  I do ask that you provide a space where students are free to use materials such as paint and pastels.  A kitchen table or card table in a ventilated area with a hard floor will suffice– if we are using water media, a sink is also helpful.
Please be aware that I am providing instructional time, not babysitting.  This means that an adult over 18 who is responsible for the student’s care MUST be home for the duration of the instructional time.
Is instruction available where we live?
Availability depends mostly on my scheduling.  In most cases I am willing to drive within a 45-60 mile radius of the San Diego/Riverside County line in Temecula.  If you live further out but are interested in classes, contact me anyway to discuss your situation.
What if I don’t want to have classes in my home?
If you would like to meet somewhere other than your home (such as a park, library, or other public setting), please contact me to discuss your situation.
What if my child has special needs?
As a former public school teacher, I have spent many hours working with special needs students.  If your child has an IEP or health issue, please let me know in your contact info so that I can better help meet your child’s needs.
Please send all other questions to nicolehilsabeck@yahoo.com.