About Leyla

“What do you want to be when you grow up? An Artist!”

I remember saying this when I was asked at 5 years old. Since then art has been my life’s passion. I seemed to have a natural affinity for teaching art and making art even as a child.

Raised in Manhattan, NYC, I spent my childhood going to the art museums and galleries; as well as, taking extracurricular art classes, which I still do. I love the history of art, and making and viewing it.

Teaching Experience-

This passion, love and affinity has lead me to teach art professionally for over 30 years.

I started teaching at my present position in the Afterschool Program in 1997 and became the General/Special Education Art Teacher in 1999.

I am NYS Certified in Art Education - K to 12. I have a Masters Degree in Art Education. I continue to take professional development workshops and classes at prestigious art institutions and organizations to stay up-to-date with the ever changing standards, methodologies, and theories of visual art education. I do this with the aim of being able to impart this knowledge to my students and to grow as an instructor.

Professional Artist Experience-

I have been a professional artist well over 25 years. I sell and show my artwork with focus on a enlarged Photorealistic style of portraiture of children, scenes, florals, land, sky & seascapes and animals in acrylic and watercolor paintings. In addition, I create Abstract Expression, Murals and Mixed Media paintings. I create custom artwork to my clients specifications. I have found this way of creating quite rewarding because of the new and interesting ways my clients ideas have taken my artistic expertise.

I look forward to hearing from you in any of the ways I can help you create artwork for you home and/or teach you or your child/children/students the love of the Visual Arts

Thank you, Leyla Monica Demirtas- thebestartteacher@gmail.com

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