Meet the People Behind Sharz Art

Meet Sharlene

Owner & Founder

For Sharlene, teaching has always been about people first.

Long before Sharz Art began, she spent years supporting her children’s education, volunteering in classrooms before becoming a teacher’s aide. It was during this time she discovered that helping people learn wasn’t simply something she enjoyed—it was her calling. That journey eventually led her to create Sharz Art, where she could combine her love of education with her passion for creativity.

Sharlene’s teaching style is calm, observant and encouraging. When a new student walks into the studio, she doesn’t immediately take over. Instead, she welcomes them, explains the lesson and quietly watches them begin. Those first few minutes tell her far more than words ever could, allowing her to understand each student’s confidence, learning style and where they need support.

Her favourite moment isn’t completing a beautiful artwork—it’s the ripple. The instant a student suddenly understands something that has previously seemed impossible. That spark of confidence, when frustration turns into “I can do this,” is what continues to inspire her every day.

She believes that creativity is about far more than learning to draw or paint. Through every lesson, students build confidence, resilience, patience and perseverance—skills that stay with them long after they leave the studio. Her philosophy is simple: every student can grow when they’re encouraged, supported and given the opportunity to discover their own unique way of learning.

For Sharlene, success isn’t measured by perfect artwork. It’s measured by students leaving the studio smiling, proud of themselves and already looking forward to coming back next week.

A Few Things About Ryan

Favourite Subjects to Teach
Drawing, Painting and Advanced Techniques

Artistic Passion
Creating detailed animal artwork and exploring new creative ideas.

Teaching Style
Demonstrates first, explains second.

Students appreciate…
His calm presence, patience and ability to know exactly when to guide and when to simply let them create.

Meet Ryan

Studio Manager & Creative Educator

Ryan is the kind of teacher who leads by example.

Rather than filling a lesson with words, he demonstrates techniques step by step, allowing students to observe, absorb and then discover the process for themselves. His calm, patient approach creates an environment where students feel comfortable learning at their own pace and confident to ask questions along the way.

With exceptional drawing and painting skills, Ryan has a natural ability to recognise exactly where a student is in their creative journey. He quietly observes, identifies their strengths and gently guides them towards the next step, helping students overcome challenges without ever feeling overwhelmed.

Teenagers, advanced students and those who are naturally more reserved often connect strongly with Ryan’s teaching style. His thoughtful approach encourages students to slow down, develop strong observational skills and build confidence through understanding rather than simply copying.

Ryan is always exploring new ideas in his own artwork and particularly enjoys creating detailed two-dimensional animal illustrations. His love of learning inspires students to keep experimenting, reminding them that even experienced artists are continually growing and refining their skills.

Students often leave Ryan’s classes feeling that they’ve genuinely learnt something valuable—not just about art, but about how to approach challenges with patience, persistence and confidence.

Meet Alex

Creative Educator

Alex has a wonderful ability to make students feel at ease from the moment they walk into the studio. Friendly, approachable and full of enthusiasm, she quickly builds genuine connections with her students, creating a classroom where creativity, conversation and confidence grow naturally together.

She has a special talent for making complex ideas feel achievable. Whether she’s teaching the human form, helping students develop proportions or guiding aspiring anime artists, Alex breaks each technique into small, manageable steps that build confidence one success at a time.

One of the joys of watching Alex teach is her endless curiosity. She’s known around the studio for sharing fascinating trivia and unexpected facts that somehow always find their way into the lesson, making every class engaging, memorable and filled with laughter.

Students who enjoy conversation, love anime or character design, or simply like learning in a relaxed and encouraging environment naturally connect with Alex’s teaching style. Her thoughtful feedback helps students understand not just what to improve, but how to improve, encouraging them to keep challenging themselves while enjoying the creative process.

Above all, Alex wants students to leave each lesson feeling happy, inspired and proud of what they’ve achieved. Her fun-loving personality and genuine interest in every student help create a classroom where learning feels exciting and creativity flourishes.

A Few Things About Maraya

Favourite Subjects to Teach
Drawing & Watercolour

Teaching Style
Encouraging students to try first, then guiding them towards success.

Students appreciate…
Her calm encouragement, clear explanations and patient support.

Known Around the Studio For…
Always noticing what needs to be done and quietly helping wherever she’s needed.

Meet Maraya

Studio Mentor

Maraya has a gentle and encouraging teaching style that helps students develop confidence in their own abilities. Calm, patient and naturally supportive, she creates a classroom where students feel comfortable taking their time, asking questions and having a go before seeking help.

One of Maraya’s greatest strengths is knowing exactly when to step in and when to simply encourage students to keep trying. Rather than doing things for them, she carefully guides students to discover solutions for themselves, helping them build independence alongside their artistic skills.

Younger students and those who are still developing confidence naturally connect with Maraya’s nurturing approach. Her clear explanations and reassuring manner help students overcome challenges without feeling pressured, making every achievement feel genuinely earned.

Maraya particularly enjoys drawing and watercolour, bringing her love of these mediums into her lessons while encouraging students to explore their own creativity. Students often leave her classes feeling that they’ve learnt something new and are capable of more than they first believed.

Behind the scenes, Maraya is also an invaluable member of the Sharz Art team. She has a remarkable ability to recognise what needs to be done without being asked, always stepping in to support students, teachers and the studio wherever she’s needed. Her thoughtful nature and willingness to help make her an important part of the welcoming community that families experience at Sharz Art.

Meet Mae

Studio Mentor

Mae has a remarkable ability to understand exactly what each student needs. With a natural instinct for recognising where a student is struggling, she quickly identifies the next step that will help them move forward, making even the most challenging techniques feel achievable.

Thoughtful, engaging and quietly confident, Mae builds genuine connections with her students. She takes the time to get to know each individual, creating a learning environment where students feel understood, supported and encouraged to believe in themselves. Even the quietest students soon discover someone who listens, understands and celebrates their progress.

One of Mae’s greatest strengths is her ability to share her own artistic knowledge in a way that students can easily understand. Her explanations are clear, patient and practical, helping students develop both their technical skills and their confidence. Whether she’s introducing a new technique or helping someone overcome a creative challenge, Mae instinctively knows how to guide students towards their own “aha” moment.

Mae loves experimenting with new artistic ideas and is always excited to continue learning herself. That curiosity is infectious, encouraging students to explore, take creative risks and discover new possibilities in their own artwork.

Students often leave Mae’s lessons feeling that they’ve connected with someone who genuinely understands them. Her caring nature, thoughtful guidance and ability to make every student feel valued create an experience that extends far beyond learning to draw or paint.

A Few Things About Adele

Favourite Part of the Role
Creating systems that make life easier for families and the studio team.

Superpower
Finding solutions and making complex processes feel simple.

Parents appreciate…
Her patience, attention to detail and willingness to help.

Known Around the Studio For...
Thinking one step ahead and quietly making everything work.

Meet Adele

Studio Coordinator

While you may not see Adele teaching in the studio, her work plays an important role in every family’s experience at Sharz Art.

Working quietly behind the scenes, Adele ensures the studio runs smoothly so that teachers can focus on what matters most—supporting students and nurturing creativity. From enrolments and studio systems to solving problems and keeping everything organised, she has an exceptional eye for detail and genuinely enjoys making things work better.

One of Adele’s greatest strengths is her ability to see what others often miss. Whether it’s refining a process, solving an administrative challenge or ensuring every detail is correct, she approaches every task with patience, precision and care. Her thoughtful nature means that families can trust every enquiry and every interaction will be handled with professionalism and kindness.

Having worked closely with Sharlene, Adele understands not only how the studio operates but also the values that sit at the heart of Sharz Art. She has an intuitive understanding of how things should work, often anticipating what’s needed before anyone has to ask. That ability makes her an invaluable part of the team and helps create the calm, organised environment that families experience.

Above all, Adele loves helping people. Whether she’s solving a problem, improving a system or supporting families behind the scenes, her goal is always the same—to make every interaction with Sharz Art as smooth and positive as possible.