Art Instructors
Jonathan A.
Jonathan is a Senior Concept Artist currently working full time in the video games industry, where he designs characters and creatures for the MMORPG "New World". He graduated from the Academy of Art University in 2013 with a BFA in Illustration, where he has also taught classes for the Illustration, Foundations, and Game Development departments. Experience working in mobile games, pc and console games, visual development for animation, and illustration. Jonathan teaches intermediate Digital Art classes at Ichen Art Academy. You can find more of his work here: https://www.artstation.com/jonathanaguillon |
Jeffrey F.
Jeffrey has received his BFA degrees in Illustration and Computer Arts from the Academy of Art University. He is traditionally trained in various mediums and is knowledgeable in several graphic art applications. He has worked as an art teacher’s assistant for beginners, intermediate and advanced high school students. He was a freelance motion graphic designer/illustrator for a tech company and worked as a flash artist/illustrator for an online Facebook game. His works have been featured/printed by NBC Sports Bay Area and has done spot illustrations for The Official GIANTS magazine. He is also one of the comic book/cover artists for the independent fil-am comic book, LUMPIA with a Vengeance. Jeffrey teaches Drawing and Sketch Level 1 and Level 2 classes at Ichen Art Academy. His artwork can be seen at https://jfulgencio.myportfolio.com. |
Jeffrey G.
Jeffrey grew up in the Philippines and moved to California when he was eleven. In 2006, after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the military for eight and a half years. While in the service, he used his artistic skills to create and design command logos and painted several military-related art decorations/murals for his unit. In 2020 he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree using the Post-911 GI Bill, then finished his Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting/Drawing in the Summer of 2023 at the Academy of Art University. His works were part of multiple Spring Shows and Veteran Art Exhibit Shows. His current series, West Coast Scapes, contains oil paintings featuring landscapes, cityscapes, cloudscapes, and seascapes of California, Oregon, and Washington State, where it highlights and promotes the therapeutic effects of these West Coast landmarks and natures through brush works and colors. He was also part of several collaborated mural projects in San Francisco. Jeffrey teaches DS1, DS2-Basics, DS2, DS23 and Oil Painting classes at Ichen Art Academy. His artwork can be seen here: https://jeffreygeronimoart.weebly.com |
Ron H.
Ron is a professional CGI Artist with 5 years experience in the video game industry. As a Lead 3D Artist at IGG, he had contributed in multiple successful video games titles such as Lords Mobile, Castle Clash and Brave Conquest. Ron is enthusiastic about art making and sharing knowledge about art. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, video games and traditional sculpting. Ron graduated from San Jose State University 3D Animation/Illustration BFA program.He teaches 3D Modeling with Maya classes at Ichen Art Academy. |

Hattie H.
Hattie is a fine artist and a leading designer, whose passion is to incorporate innovative digital technologies into traditional mediums. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Architecture and a Master Degree in Film and Advertisement. She works with varies traditional mediums, Ink, Watercolor, Charcoal, Acrylic. In digital mediums, she specializes in 2D/3D modeling, Animation, Post production and Digital painting. She has been working in the art/design/advertisement industry for the last 15 years. Over the years, Hattie has run many art workshops, teaching children from beginning level to advanced level. Her passion is to utilize her skill and industry experience to encourage the younger generation and prepare them for their future.
Hattie teaches Children’s Creative Art and DS1-Basics classes at Ichen Art Academy.
Hattie is a fine artist and a leading designer, whose passion is to incorporate innovative digital technologies into traditional mediums. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Architecture and a Master Degree in Film and Advertisement. She works with varies traditional mediums, Ink, Watercolor, Charcoal, Acrylic. In digital mediums, she specializes in 2D/3D modeling, Animation, Post production and Digital painting. She has been working in the art/design/advertisement industry for the last 15 years. Over the years, Hattie has run many art workshops, teaching children from beginning level to advanced level. Her passion is to utilize her skill and industry experience to encourage the younger generation and prepare them for their future.
Hattie teaches Children’s Creative Art and DS1-Basics classes at Ichen Art Academy.

Sasha I.
Sasha is an Illustrator, Concept Artist, and 2D Animator. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with Bachelor Degree in Entertainment Art/Animation concentrating in Concept Art and 2D Animation. Sasha has worked as a Disney Sketch Artist at the Disneyland Resort for four years, worked on multiple animation projects right after graduation, and has been a freelance artist since 2016. Her artwork can be seen here: https://www.sashaishikawa.com.
Sasha teaches Children's Creative Art and DS1-Basics at Ichen Art Academy.
Sasha is an Illustrator, Concept Artist, and 2D Animator. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with Bachelor Degree in Entertainment Art/Animation concentrating in Concept Art and 2D Animation. Sasha has worked as a Disney Sketch Artist at the Disneyland Resort for four years, worked on multiple animation projects right after graduation, and has been a freelance artist since 2016. Her artwork can be seen here: https://www.sashaishikawa.com.
Sasha teaches Children's Creative Art and DS1-Basics at Ichen Art Academy.
Chris K.
Chris has been working in the industry since the 1980’s as a character designer, animator, storyboard artist, background artist, and conceptual artist for Disney Imagineering; and as an Art and Animation Director for Disney Interactive and Walt Disney World. Other clients include Cartoon Network, New Line Cinema, Warner Bros, Hasbro, Lone Star Café, Hard Rock Café, Webster Hall, musical legends Hot Tuna, Rainforest Action Network; as well as Actors Frank Gorshin and Woody Harrelson. Formal education from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where Chris has studied under some of the pioneers of the visual arts industry: Harvey Kurtzman (creator of Mad Magazine), Gene Colan (Marvel), and graphic novel master Will Eisner. Over the past twenty-two years, working in several top Bay area art universities, he has trained many folks into feature film quality animators, illustrators, character designers, and digital background painters. Chris teaches intermediate/advanced Digital Art classes at Ichen Art Academy. His artwork can be viewed at https://www.visionaryilluminations.com |
Humza K.
Humza is a concept artist and illustrator with over a decade of experience in the field. Since graduating from the College for Creative Studies in 2006, Humza has worked both in-house and freelance for prestigious clients such as Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Activision, LucasArts, Wargaming, Ubisoft, Fischer Price, Hasbro, Mattel, National Geographic, and Nickelodeon, to name a few! He has worked on games like World of Tanks, Call of Duty, The Division 2, and the Sims. His artwork can be viewed at www.humzakhan.com. Humza's specialties include character design, environmental concept design, storyboards, visual development and art direction, and he brings almost a decade of teaching experience as an instructor and professor at the Academy of Art University. Humza teaches advanced Digital Art classes at Ichen Art Academy |

Mingchien L.
Mingchien is a seasoned art instructor and artist. She has taught many courses such as Oriental Brush Painting, The Art of Drawing and East Asian Art History at the Chinese Cultural Center in Boston, Dept. of Art and Science, Wheelock College and Worcester Art Museum. Mingchien has a MA in Art Histroy from University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She teaches Drawing and Sketch level 2 and Watercolor classes at Ichen Art Academy.
Mingchien is a seasoned art instructor and artist. She has taught many courses such as Oriental Brush Painting, The Art of Drawing and East Asian Art History at the Chinese Cultural Center in Boston, Dept. of Art and Science, Wheelock College and Worcester Art Museum. Mingchien has a MA in Art Histroy from University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She teaches Drawing and Sketch level 2 and Watercolor classes at Ichen Art Academy.

Derek M.
Derek is a fine-art painter and illustrator who works with a variety of mediums, such as charcoal, ink, acrylic and oil paints. He graduated from the Academy of Art University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a concentration in painting, and works as a freelance illustrator and muralist. He also works at a nonprofit multidisciplinary arts center called The Flight Deck in downtown Oakland as a visual arts core-member, doing work ranging from gallery curation, public outreach and activist work, and set artistry.
Derek teaches Drawing I & II at Ichen Art Academy.
Derek is a fine-art painter and illustrator who works with a variety of mediums, such as charcoal, ink, acrylic and oil paints. He graduated from the Academy of Art University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a concentration in painting, and works as a freelance illustrator and muralist. He also works at a nonprofit multidisciplinary arts center called The Flight Deck in downtown Oakland as a visual arts core-member, doing work ranging from gallery curation, public outreach and activist work, and set artistry.
Derek teaches Drawing I & II at Ichen Art Academy.

Erica N.
Erica is an award-winning artist who received both her B.F.A(2007) and M.A(2009) from San Francisco's Academy of Art University . Erica’s work has been featured in a wide range of publications--she’s graced the covers of Cornell's literary magazine Epoch, been a finalist multiple times in the International Artist Magazine, and was one of 21 emerging artists under the age of 31 in Southwest Art. Among her most prestigious awards was receiving second honors at the Portrait Society of America’s International Competition in 2015.
Erica teaches Drawing and Sketch (Level II and III) and Oil Painting classes at Ichen Art Academy.
Erica is an award-winning artist who received both her B.F.A(2007) and M.A(2009) from San Francisco's Academy of Art University . Erica’s work has been featured in a wide range of publications--she’s graced the covers of Cornell's literary magazine Epoch, been a finalist multiple times in the International Artist Magazine, and was one of 21 emerging artists under the age of 31 in Southwest Art. Among her most prestigious awards was receiving second honors at the Portrait Society of America’s International Competition in 2015.
Erica teaches Drawing and Sketch (Level II and III) and Oil Painting classes at Ichen Art Academy.
Mark R.
Mark is primarily an oil painter. He has many years of experience as an exhibiting artist and art instructor. Mark Roberts received his bachelor’s degree in graphic design at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Later, he continued his formal art education at the California Art Institute. At the Institute, analyzing the visual world in terms of shapes, values and edges was heavily stressed. This teaching has been with him ever since. Roberts earned his Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, where he has taught figure drawing for the illustration department from 2005 – 2014. Presently, Roberts teaches drawing and design at Las Positas College in Livermore. His artwork can be viewed at: www.markrobertsfineart.com Mark teaches Drawing and Sketch 2 and 23 classes at Ichen Art Academy. |
Kendrick S.
Ken is an artist and animator who specializes in both traditional hand-drawn, as well CG Character Animation. He has produced work such as Concept Art, Character Design, UI, Graphic Design, 3D Modeling, Rigging, Texturing, and Animation for Social Media, Short Films, and Games since 2015. He graduated from the Academy of Art University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus on Animation & VFX and is currently working remotely for several studios that produce short films and game projects. Kendrick teaches Drawing and Sketch Level 2, Level 23 and AP Art Prep at Ichen Art Academy. His artwork can be seen at https://www.kensparksanimation.com/portfolio. |

Jess T.
Jess is a freelance illustrator and designer who has worked at Disney TVA, Cartoon Network, Jam City, and more. After graduating from the University of North Texas in 2014 with a BFA in Drawing and Painting, she worked as a graphic designer before transitioning to full time illustration. Jess has primarily worked in TV animation and her work can be seen here https://www.jessthomasillustration.com/.
Jess teaches DS1-Basics, DS1, Digital Illustration (Procreate) classes as well as assists AP Art Prep at Ichen Art Academy.
Jess is a freelance illustrator and designer who has worked at Disney TVA, Cartoon Network, Jam City, and more. After graduating from the University of North Texas in 2014 with a BFA in Drawing and Painting, she worked as a graphic designer before transitioning to full time illustration. Jess has primarily worked in TV animation and her work can be seen here https://www.jessthomasillustration.com/.
Jess teaches DS1-Basics, DS1, Digital Illustration (Procreate) classes as well as assists AP Art Prep at Ichen Art Academy.

Ryan W.
Ryan, our Artist in Residence, is an award-winning painter who teaches our most advanced classes (i.e. Drawing and Sketch III, Oil Painting and AP Art) here at Ichen Art Academy.
Born in California, Ryan grew up in a family of artists who encouraged his young passions for drawing with guidance and directed his education through private art schools into what would become an accomplished career in the arts. After distilling his many well-rounded proficiencies -- including everything from illustration and animation to sculpture, printmaking and more -- Ryan focused on oil painting and charcoal rendering to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Ryan has incorporated continual art education into his lifestyle through exploring new mediums, concepts, and techniques; always pushing forward to provide a practical path to inspiration for himself and his students. His competency with digital painting and streaming technology has allowed him to lead online classes, where students view and discuss painting demonstrations. Students appreciate receiving individually tailored visual instruction of how they need to improve their artwork in real time, at any distance.
While his students have won awards in competitions ranging from gold medals in the state fair to state and national recognition in the Scholastic Arts and Writing Competitions, Ryan himself has been awarded gold keys as a teacher for fostering exemplary student performance.
Ryan’s aim is to help each student define and obtain their personal goals. By utilizing his experience with the different portfolio preferences and requirements of leading art schools, Ryan has guided students from beginning their high school AP portfolio all the way through packaging College admission portfolios with great success. His students have achieved their dreams of attending programs in the nation’s top art schools, including: CalArts, ArtCenter, Ringling, PRATT, Chicago Art Institute, RISD, and more.
Ryan, our Artist in Residence, is an award-winning painter who teaches our most advanced classes (i.e. Drawing and Sketch III, Oil Painting and AP Art) here at Ichen Art Academy.
Born in California, Ryan grew up in a family of artists who encouraged his young passions for drawing with guidance and directed his education through private art schools into what would become an accomplished career in the arts. After distilling his many well-rounded proficiencies -- including everything from illustration and animation to sculpture, printmaking and more -- Ryan focused on oil painting and charcoal rendering to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Ryan has incorporated continual art education into his lifestyle through exploring new mediums, concepts, and techniques; always pushing forward to provide a practical path to inspiration for himself and his students. His competency with digital painting and streaming technology has allowed him to lead online classes, where students view and discuss painting demonstrations. Students appreciate receiving individually tailored visual instruction of how they need to improve their artwork in real time, at any distance.
While his students have won awards in competitions ranging from gold medals in the state fair to state and national recognition in the Scholastic Arts and Writing Competitions, Ryan himself has been awarded gold keys as a teacher for fostering exemplary student performance.
Ryan’s aim is to help each student define and obtain their personal goals. By utilizing his experience with the different portfolio preferences and requirements of leading art schools, Ryan has guided students from beginning their high school AP portfolio all the way through packaging College admission portfolios with great success. His students have achieved their dreams of attending programs in the nation’s top art schools, including: CalArts, ArtCenter, Ringling, PRATT, Chicago Art Institute, RISD, and more.

Ichen W.
As the founder of Ichen Art Academy, Ichen has been practicing Chinese painting and calligraphy as well as western style painting for over 30 years. She has been teaching Chinese painting and calligraphy at Ichen Art Studio since 1997. She has a BFA degree in Fine Arts and Interior Design from University of Dayton in Ohio. Her students have won many awards in regional, state, national and international competitions. Ichen teaches Chinese Painting and Calligraphy classes at Ichen Art Academy.
As the founder of Ichen Art Academy, Ichen has been practicing Chinese painting and calligraphy as well as western style painting for over 30 years. She has been teaching Chinese painting and calligraphy at Ichen Art Studio since 1997. She has a BFA degree in Fine Arts and Interior Design from University of Dayton in Ohio. Her students have won many awards in regional, state, national and international competitions. Ichen teaches Chinese Painting and Calligraphy classes at Ichen Art Academy.
Joevic Y.
A native of San Jose, California, Joevic demonstrated a strong interest in drawings at a young age, influenced by his father’s drawings and sketches. In 2012, he received his BFA from the Academy of Art University, with a degree in fine arts. His artwork can be viewed at http://www.joevicyeban.com. Joevic paints primarily with oil, focusing on Bay Area cities as his subject matter. His paintings have been part of many group shows in the Bay Area and his work has been sought out by collectors throughout the country. In 2012, he was featured in Southwest Art Magazine’s, “emerging artist” issue. Joevic currently paints full time in his studio in Oakland, CA and teaches part time at The Academy of Art University. He teaches Drawing and Sketch Level 2, Level 23, Oil Painting and AP Art Prep at Ichen Art Academy. |
David Y.
David is a Fine Art painter with 10+ years of experience in a variety of mediums. Since 2014, he has been teaching Foundations classes at the Academy of Art University, where he received both MFA and BFA in painting. His artworks can be viewed at https://www.davidyeungart.com. David teaches Drawing and Sketch Level 23/Level 3 and Oil Painting classes at Ichen Art Academy. |
Guest Instructors
Guest instructors teach special workshops during the summer quarter at Ichen Art Academy

David T.
David is an illustrator and art instructor with over 15 years of teaching experience. His professional experience includes concept art for film studios and illustration for the gaming industry. As an instructor and mentor, David currently works with employees at Pixar Studios as well as with college bound students. His students have been accepted to the top art programs in the nation at schools including ArtCenter, Cal Arts, Otis College of Art and Design, LCAD and many more. David teaches Digital Art, Caroon Character Design, Manga and Anime, and Advanced Digital Illustration workshops at Ichen Art Academy.
David is an illustrator and art instructor with over 15 years of teaching experience. His professional experience includes concept art for film studios and illustration for the gaming industry. As an instructor and mentor, David currently works with employees at Pixar Studios as well as with college bound students. His students have been accepted to the top art programs in the nation at schools including ArtCenter, Cal Arts, Otis College of Art and Design, LCAD and many more. David teaches Digital Art, Caroon Character Design, Manga and Anime, and Advanced Digital Illustration workshops at Ichen Art Academy.

Sung K.
Sung is fine-art painter who works with traditional representative style and technique that he has been achieved through the years of practice. Kim completed his BFA in Painting and Drawing in 2010 at the California College of the Arts, and graduated in 2015 with an MFA in Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Based in the Bay Area, Kim has exhibited and earned acclaim both nationally and internationally. His artworks can be viewed at https://www.sungeunkimart.com/.
Sung teaches summer art workshops at Ichen Art Academy.
Sung is fine-art painter who works with traditional representative style and technique that he has been achieved through the years of practice. Kim completed his BFA in Painting and Drawing in 2010 at the California College of the Arts, and graduated in 2015 with an MFA in Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Based in the Bay Area, Kim has exhibited and earned acclaim both nationally and internationally. His artworks can be viewed at https://www.sungeunkimart.com/.
Sung teaches summer art workshops at Ichen Art Academy.

Sean H.
Sean is a concept artist, illustrator and fine-artist who is traditionally trained in various mediums, including charcoal, ink, oil, and digital mediums. He received his MFA in Visual Development at the Academy of Art University in 2017. He received MFA Small Works Award at the Academy of Art Spring Show. He has worked on multinational sci-fi movie production “Iron Sky: The Ark” as a concept artist and production artist. He also worked on various tv shows, video games and virtual reality project serving in various roles in the production pipeline.
Sean is a concept artist, illustrator and fine-artist who is traditionally trained in various mediums, including charcoal, ink, oil, and digital mediums. He received his MFA in Visual Development at the Academy of Art University in 2017. He received MFA Small Works Award at the Academy of Art Spring Show. He has worked on multinational sci-fi movie production “Iron Sky: The Ark” as a concept artist and production artist. He also worked on various tv shows, video games and virtual reality project serving in various roles in the production pipeline.

Sarah Z.
Sarah graduated from School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Master Degree in Fashion Design, and Beijing Film Academy, with a Bachelor Degree in Costume Design.
As a fashion designer, Sarah likes to integrate the bits and pieces of life into her design. She likes to constantly find new ideas and expresses them in the design language. Her passion is to help students understand design and use efficient methods to solve their problems is her passion.
Sarah works as an Art Counselor at Ichen Art Academy, specializing in helping students apply for top fashion design colleges.
Sarah graduated from School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Master Degree in Fashion Design, and Beijing Film Academy, with a Bachelor Degree in Costume Design.
As a fashion designer, Sarah likes to integrate the bits and pieces of life into her design. She likes to constantly find new ideas and expresses them in the design language. Her passion is to help students understand design and use efficient methods to solve their problems is her passion.
Sarah works as an Art Counselor at Ichen Art Academy, specializing in helping students apply for top fashion design colleges.
Lindsay E.
Lindsay received her Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2020, and has continued her career in the architectural industry since. Her work is centered around residential projects, mostly single family houses and developments located in the Bay Area. She is trained in many mediums including hand drawing, model making, and digital modeling. Lindsay is also a dance instructor and performer in her free time and enjoys traveling and long hikes. Lindsay teaches Introduction to Architecture workshop at Ichen Art Academy |

Tiziana D.
Tiziana has more than 18 years of experience in the industry. She is a senior instructor, teaching interactive design, UX and web front-end at different secondary institutions. She has a background that includes a degree in graphic design, a master's in Media Psychology and several professional certifications, along with years of design and web development. She is the leader of the San Diego chapter of the Interaction Design Foundation.
Tiziana strives to create the best user experiences that will persuade without manipulation, and strongly believes that ethical design can change the world for the better. She is a member of the Ethical Design Network and maintains its blog. She teaches Introduction to UI/UX Design workshop at Ichen Art Academy.
Tiziana has more than 18 years of experience in the industry. She is a senior instructor, teaching interactive design, UX and web front-end at different secondary institutions. She has a background that includes a degree in graphic design, a master's in Media Psychology and several professional certifications, along with years of design and web development. She is the leader of the San Diego chapter of the Interaction Design Foundation.
Tiziana strives to create the best user experiences that will persuade without manipulation, and strongly believes that ethical design can change the world for the better. She is a member of the Ethical Design Network and maintains its blog. She teaches Introduction to UI/UX Design workshop at Ichen Art Academy.

Ariel G.
Ariel is a highly skilled Graphic Designer and Design Educator with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Ariel’s skills include Typography, Art Direction, Lesson Planning, and Project Management. She is Adept at bringing out the highest creative potential in students, motivating them to develop their unique styles and talents. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Art Center College of Design.
Her graphic design work encompasses a broad spectrum of experience, creating visual identity systems, promotional materials, publication design, packaging design, and signage. Clients range from apparel, medical, film, and music to food service industries.
Ariel is a highly skilled Graphic Designer and Design Educator with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Ariel’s skills include Typography, Art Direction, Lesson Planning, and Project Management. She is Adept at bringing out the highest creative potential in students, motivating them to develop their unique styles and talents. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Art Center College of Design.
Her graphic design work encompasses a broad spectrum of experience, creating visual identity systems, promotional materials, publication design, packaging design, and signage. Clients range from apparel, medical, film, and music to food service industries.
Jeremie Z.
Jeremie is a lifelong visual artist and career educator with experience in university, museum, and secondary learning environments where he has demonstrated proficiency in teaching studio art, visual culture, world art studies, and academic writing with emphasis on college and career readiness. He currently teaches AP Art Prep at Ichen Art Academy. Jeremie received his Master of Arts in East–West Psychology, a unique program synthesizing prominent theoretical areas of Western psychology with Asian religious and philosophical traditions, from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, California. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY Buffalo in Buffalo, New York and also spent a year studying the history, art, and culture of South Asia at Leiden University in the Netherlands. He presently studies the art and archaeology of the Ancient Near East at the University of Wales Trinity Saint-David. Jeremie teaches AP Art Prep classes at Ichen Art Academy. His selected recent work in assemblage sculpture, collage, and digital media can be seen at www.jeremiezulaski.art. |
Audrey Collette M.
Audrey is a cartoonist and storyboard artist who graduated with her BA in Art from the University of California Santa Cruz. She has worked the past six years as a freelance artist, focusing mainly on character design and animation. Audrey also has a passion for wildlife and studied at the Norris Center of Natural History creating illustrations for the Arboretum. Her artwork can be seen here: https://kaijukole.carrd.co/#portfolio. She currently teaches Children’s Creative Art at Ichen Art Academy. |