“We gotta bring the art to the 21st Century”

  • Master Pastelist, mentor, friend… Alex Piccirillo

Tradition…

The skills passed down throughout Art history are simply the most effective.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel. It just works!

Academic principles allow students to see and think about the world with an Artist’s Eye…

We think in terms of dynamic relationships…
Rhythm and gesture…
Lights and darks…
Visual poetry…

And so the Fine Art Academy of Art is dedicated to passing on these very same principles because this tradition matters.

But art education shouldn’t end with tradition. We live in the 21st Century, and so our Art should reflect the times.

Contemporary…

The 20th Century brought about many changes in the art world and art education, and there are far smarter people who have written extensively about all this.

Realism today is so exciting, not because of its defiance of contemporary art ideas, but because it has embraced them.

Our focus will remain firmly rooted in the academic tradition, while introducing some of these Contemporary ideas for students to begin playing around with and taking some risks.

Bold colors…
Movement and line…
Texture and surface consideration…

By finding a personal bridge between the traditional and the contemporary, great ideas will be transmitted through your unique voice.

Why FAAM?

FAAM was founded by that guy over there. That’s me, Julian Tejera.

I’ve been a teaching artist for 15 years, having taught at the following places…

  • Montclair Art Museum 2009-2024

  • Montclair State and Caldwell Universities 2021-to-present as an adjunct instructor

  • One River School 2017-2020

  • Center for Contemporary Art of NJ 2016-2017

  • A handful of others that don’t exist anymore

I even ran my own online art school for two years during the pandemic called Pushing Colored Dirt. It is no secret to anyone that I love art, and I love teaching it just as much.

When you take a class with me at FAAM, you’ll learn, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry (from joy or laughter, never from a critique), you’ll gain confidence in your own abilities as an artist.

I chose this name for the acronym quite deliberately. Creativity thrives in community. My hope is to continue the legacy of the great teaching artists from Montclair who were pivotal in my development. They didn’t just show up to teach. They nurtured relationships. They showed you kindness and respect, encouraged you, but didn’t hold back constructive feedback.

They treated you like family, and it is this above all else that inspires me to continue inspiring others.

Testimonials

  • I’ve had the privilege of studying under Julian at MSU. During my time with Julian, I received immense knowledge in a very approachable teaching style. He encourages experimentation and pushes you to explore new techniques, all while offering constructive feedback. One of the things I appreciate most about Julian is his ability to create a welcoming atmosphere. I continue to apply the skills I have learned, which have transformed my work and boosted my confidence as an artist. I can’t thank him enough for the positive impact he’s had on my artistic journey. If you’re looking to enhance your skills and gain confidence in your work, I can’t recommend Julian’s classes enough! You’ll leave each session with new insights, improved techniques, and a stronger sense of creativity.


    Maria V, MSU 23’

  • As a child, I took drawing and painting classes at the Montclair Art Museum a few summers in a row. During that period, I knew I liked art, but I fell in love with it after taking an oil painting class with Julian. In my first class with him, there were about 15 students, which seems like a lot, but he made sure to go around to everyone in order to provide personal assistance and encouragement. Many of the other teachers I have taken classes with would draw or paint at the same time as their students, paying little attention to our needs. I learned so many things, from how to begin a painting with a neutral colored sketch, block in main areas of color first, effectively mix colors, and not be worried about blending or details until the end. I liked his first class so much that I took it multiple times and later transitioned to private drawing lessons. He taught me many helpful techniques about proportion, shading, perspective, etc. But his teaching goes beyond technique. He was always motivational, and told me that artists cannot improve unless they draw and practice every day, welcome mistakes, and persevere through the frustration. Anyone who takes a class with Julian can see that his passion is not just for art, but also for teaching, inspiring, and helping people achieve their goals. I am thankful for his teaching and highly recommend that other people take his classes. 

    Elika B, Pratt ‘22

  • This is THE place to learn art. Sometimes you luck out and you find a teacher who isn’t just a phenomenal artist, but they really, REALLY understand how to teach. That’s Julian. I would honestly follow him to the ends of the earth. I’ve learned so much with him at the helm—from the technical side of painting to the general business of art. I wish I had started my art journey with Julian, because I think he would have built a phenomenal foundation. However, as an adult learner, he’s really helped me fill in the gaps in a kind, motivating way that keeps me excited about creating and growing. I know my art is better because of Julian. There are so many wonderful things to say about him and his teaching style: his depth of knowledge (I haven’t been able to stump him once on ANY question), his talent (he’s an incredible, working artist himself), his kindness (he’ll give you great feedback to grow, but it’s never demoralizing or shrouded with ego), and his genuine excitement to share his knowledge in a variety of ways (in-person, online, pre-recorded videos, book recommendations, etc) to make sure that you’re getting it in a way that you learn best. I’ve taken so many art classes in so many different ways, and Julian is truly the jewel in that crown. He is a treasure. To whoever is reading this, I’m so excited for you to start with him because I think in a year or two you’ll look back and feel similarly to how I do now: relieved you found him and jumped in with both feet!

    Maddie Stansell, Artist