Welcome to DeRaud Art School
This is your place to sign up for Art Lessons, Paint Parties, and explore all we have to offer.
About Us
Artists & Instructors: Mark & Wendy DeRaud
Mark DeRaud has been a professional artist in Fresno since 1992, and spent a year as an art instructor at Fresno Pacific University. Self-taught, beginning as a child prodigy in Germany at the age of 14, Mark has produced a large body of work from Michelangelo-style gallery art to commissioned paintings to massive murals. Most well-known for his liturgical art, Mark's work can be seen at Holy Spirit Church where his Stations of the Cross and altar piece stand over 14 feet tall and 100 ft long. In addition, Mark did the humorous murals at Me 'n Ed's Pizzerias, tropical murals at Irene's Cafe', St. John's Cathedral Narthex, and a mural at Boy's and Girl's Club. Mark specializes in oil painting and the old masters technique in the style of Peter Paul Rubens, and opaque watercolor.
Wendy DeRaud has a multiple-subject teaching credential and has taught primary grades, reading intervention, and high school art. An avid artist all her life, Wendy specializes in figure drawing and portraiture and loves teaching, inspiring and encouraging others to engage in their creative gifts,
For more information about Mark & Wendy, or to purchase a print or original art work by Mark, visit their website at www.markderaudartist.com
What We Offer
Art Classes
Art classes are open to children and adults in our community. We are currently vendors for Inspire Charter School and welcome public school, homeschool students and anyone else interested in learning from us.
Please ask us about scholarships available through our 501c3 non-profit, Art 'n Soul. Scholarships are offered for children with disabilities, or those with financial concerns.
Trauma-Aware Art Instruction
If your child is struggling with depression, anxiety or loneliness because of the prolonged traumatic lockdown, quarantines and other effects from the Covid 19 pandemic, consider the benefits of art instruction to offset these issues.
Research and our experience in our classroom has proven that art Instruction helps children struggling with ADHD, Autism, Aspergers, complex ptsd, and other mental, emotional and physical challenges.
Paint Parties
Paint Parties are are a fun way to get your creativity on in just 2 hours, and come up with a beautiful painting. There's no experience necessary, and we make it easy for beginners to try painting because our image is already on the canvas and all you have to do is paint. This is a fun night out for a group of friends or family members. $35/person, Supplies are included.
Paint Parties are best when they are put together by a group of friends or students. Contact us to make a reservation.
Art 'n Soul Events
Gatherings of artists connecting art and faith.
We love this documentary, Faith in Imagination, "Fantasy Makers". Here's the trailer for it:
We are planning Art 'n Soul Art & Spirituality Retreats in the near future.