“I've read and heard other methods (for portraits) but yours made more sense to me. It was also good to get a clear picture of how measuring is done from life. I really like the mix- demonstrations, lectures, practice and application. You have a good balance and practical information.”
Carol Knight, Amarillo, Texas

“The most valuable things I learned in this portrait workshop were the discipline of measurement, going from discipline of measuring to a beautiful painterly looseness.
*Excellent teaching style
*Laid back, but disciplined
*Lots of good practice and excellent demonstrations which made a good balance.”
Carol Snelson, Amarillo, Texas

“I enjoyed your workshop so very much and I sincerely hope to take some more in the near future. They are wonderful and I really learned so much. You are a wonderful instructor.”
Eleanor Leeper, art teacher, Andrews, Texas

“Being a novice, the step-by-step process has given me a solid foundation on which to build any work in any medium that I may choose. I have learned more this week than I have in all the other workshops I have taken this year - combined!”
Joy Russo, Hot Springs, Ark.

“ Having been lucky enough to attend my third workshop with Mike Mahon in Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM.
I came away, as always--- with a hard lesson learned.

This one was about perspective. Mike has incredible architectural drafting as well as life drawing skills. His instructions on how the angles of a building slope determined by the place the artist is standing in relation to the building helped me immensely! It was immediate and I will never forget it! Looking forward to my next class with Mike, I know I will come away with a much more professional insight!”
Melody Brenna, CEO, Amarillo, Texas

"The workshop was very well organized! Demos were short & for a purpose.  I liked how the basic concepts were covered in the DiVine Setup – it was basic information for the beginner, yet enough content & detail for the more advanced artist .... I would definitely recommend your workshop to artists, both beginners & advanced."
Candy Mayer,  El Paso, Texas

“Mike, you have a great teaching persona. I think you have given me some great insights in to how my students feel! And I think I've learned some good things to pass on to my students!
Deb Wheeler, art teacher, Andrews, Texas

“Good blend of basic art theory and practical tips. Very Supportive environment, but you did not cut us any slack on technique/problem-solving: Rigorous on principles”
Casey Church, Austin, Texas

“It's much more technical and theory intensive (than other workshops). I learned a lot. Just wish I'd had this when I was younger. I would recommend it to anyone who is trying to improve their painting skills. It was such a privilege to attend this workshop. I received excellent instruction in group form plus lots of individual help.
Excellent teacher-plus Cynthia is so helpful with everything. Mike & Cynthia are so warm and friendly that the class was a lot of fun.”
Joyce Ming, Lamar, Colorado.

“...You are one of the hardest working artists I've ever known, bar none.

Not only did you spend every minute talking us through the fine points of scaling art to fit a canvas, but you did two paintings of your own AND spent time with each of us, from the oil neophyte to the more advanced oil painters in the group.

All of us were most appreciative of your tact, attention to detail, and desire for us to do the best paintings we were capable of producing in 3 days...

You don't pull your punches. If a painting has elements that are not well done, you say so, and work with the artist to make improvements. I have been distressed in past workshops or in critique meetings when no real critique was provided, other than the false critique of gushy flattery...

Thank you for your encouragement and your expertise. I greatly admire your painting AND teaching skills.”
Martha Wofford, Ph. D. Dalhart, Texas

"SEPTEMBER MEETING RECAP: Pastel artist Mike Mahon astonished members while painting a live pastel portrait in vivid colors. His demonstration was unbelievably conducted within an hour as he produced a precise likeness of his live model. If you attended the September meeting, you witnessed an outstanding pastel demo."
Pine Bluff Art League, Pine Bluff, Ark. Click photo for full article.

Skirball Cultural Center-Los Angeles, CA
Teacher Professional Development Series - 2009

Sponsored by Skirball, Mike presented to LA teachers a one day seminar on integrating art principles, esp. drawing the human face, into education programs.

Comments from attendees:

•  Thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Mahon-he was entertaining, informative and patient-he should teach art to kids!
•  He convinced me that art is an important life skill and that it defines us.
•  Articulate, knowledgeable, I love the connection to the art in nature.
•  Great watching Mr. Mahon. He is a good teacher and has a great presence.
•  Excellent presenter. Very informative and helpful.
•  Mike Mahon was very informative. His explanations about portraiture were very clear and I was able to follow his instructions and produce the results he was looking for.
•  Mr. Mahon was obviously a well trained expert in graphic art and in portrait drawing. The demonstration and how Mr. Mahon set up the lighting and the seating was fascinating.
•  Very knowledgeable and clear explanations; easy going speaker, intelligent, well-informed and clear.
•  Mr. Mahon was hilarious!
•  Mr. Mahon was professional and personable. A “natural educator,” delivered a clear, concise … for a non-artists like me! Thanks! Inspiring!
•  I value the progression from big, conceptual ideas, the “why” of art to the specific “how” of this particular art form.
•  Expert! Talented teacher
•  Mr. Mahon is a fantastic teacher! Very down to earth and patient. He is teaching a formidable task in an easy to follow and replicable way.
•  Very nice, informative guy. I liked him.
•  He was very good. Interesting! The PowerPoint was very helpful with his lesson.
•  Love the humor and inviting atmosphere created. Loved the “talk aloud” during portrait demonstration.
•  I liked how Mr. Mahon talked us through all his thought processes to help the artist wanna-be begin to train their thoughts on crafting a piece.