Sometimes taking a chance turns out to be one of the BEST things that happens to you. “Mastrius was that “chance” for me; and I couldn’t be happier. Teaming up with a Master Artist and new art friends was the push I needed to move into the art world.I’ve learned SO MUCH, not only from my mentor but from my group.

I’m expanding my art community, and getting encouragement, support, & feedback that’s really making a difference.

I’ve not only joined my second group with Mastrius but one of their moderators @heatherkinehan just gave a presentation to artists on some tips and tricks on promoting art on social media. Love it!

Without a doubt it was to get advice on how to improve and grow as a professional artist (I.e. learn a few marketing strategies).

Also high on the list was the desire to connect with other artists, since I know very few artists personally!

The first thing that drew me to the concept was being able to connect with other artists on the same journey and being mentored by someone who had already gone through that journey. Being an artist is quite a solitary endeavour and as I am just starting out I thought it would be a way to meet other artists and have a continued connection with them through the program. And then having access to the knowledge of an establish artist to guide me in my journey shortening my learning curve is wonderful.

I would not have the courage to reach out to any of these artist mentors so I am very grateful to have the opportunity to do it here.

I’ve been getting mentored by @artistheatherpant Mastrius and I’m loving it!I’ve learned SO MUCH, not only from my mentor but from my group. (I feel like networking has been difficult and this has given me a venue to network and ask the many pressing questions that I have had).

I’m finally meeting other artists like me and getting encouragement, support, & feedback that’s really making a difference.

The reason I joined Mastrius is because I have learned that there is so much to be gained from the experience of others, not just from this instructor but the other participants. If someone is willing to share their lessons learned with you, why wouldn’t you want to seize that opportunity?

This has been such a positive experience so far.

I really really like the other artists in the group and have learned SO much from everyone. You couldn’t ask for a more supportive and generous mentor than Julia Veenstra.

Mastrius has helped me immensely with my confidence in showing up for my own work, continuing to make art in my own terms and unapologetically so. It has been such an honour learning from one of Canada’s best contemporary artists, Julie Himel.

It’s been one of the best investments i’ve made for my self and my art career. 

Mastrius has opened up new possibilities for me.

The opportunity to learn ad hare the journey with others is inspiring.

Mastrius provides networking opportunities which are very helpful.

Access to the Master Artists willing to support upcoming ones is a rare find, thank you.

Probably what I learned the most is how to be brutally strict with myself and know the big gap between me and a master. Once I saw the gap i was able to ask the master how to advance.

It’s refreshing to have a personal guide.

I loved having a group to talk things out with, feedback from the master and the community we built in our group. The extra sessions offered from other masters were amazing too.

Being an artist can be lonely, and often you don’t know what to do to grow, Mastrius solved both of those!

Mastrius has provided for me real time connection with Master level artists to challenge existing skill sets and explore new possibilities. Being mentored by Deborah Tilby has made a huge impact on the quality of my work and she serves as inspiration for my present and future painting projects.

The best part is connection, discussion and sharing with the group 🙂

Mastrius has connected me with practicing artists to teach me HOW to be an artist.

It has definitely accelerated my learning the ropes as an artist and a business owner. It enriches my life with a community that I can call on for pretty much anything from art chat to business ideas to thoughts on my current work. I count my group as some of my best friends, and we ALWAYS have so much fun together!

Sometimes you’re in the right place at the right time. Or scrolling through social media at the right time. My turning point was responding to a message from an artist on Instagram gaging interest in forming an art mentorship group. The artist; Julie DeBoer. The group became Mastrius – Mentorship Group 002. I met other artists, masters, mentors and friends. I’m so appreciative of a collaborative and encouraging art community.

The Mastrius experience has been fabulous and it makes the art journey so much more fun!

Mastrius has afforded (literally! It’s affordable!) me the opportunity to truly accelerate my learning as an artist.

Having access to direct instruction and feedback from a Master has probably cut at least a couple of years of fumbling around with YouTube tutorials and trying to discern “”the good, the bad, and the pointless “” off of the journey to my goals.

Mastrius is a perfect balance of accountability, community and fun. It feels like family. Family that makes you a better you.

Creating connections with other artists and learning from accomplished Masters has helped me find a better path for my own work.

Mastrius has provided me with a way to network with artists in a way I didn’t know existed.

The community that has emerged has been very beneficial in taking my art to the next level. And having a circle of art friends has been very encouraging. I’d highly recommend Mastrius to other artists.

Being in Julie Himel’s group has been tremendous.

My goal going into the group was to start to develop my personal style. With Julie’s and the group’s guidance and feedback, my style is coming into focus. I find with the various exercises we have been given for homework, like blind contour drawing, I am finally loosening up in my art style.  

Mark’s work is so incredible, but he’s so humble about it. His process is different than mine, but his angle, his method, his way of seeing things is fantastic. That’s why I’m here—not to paint like he does, but to learn by osmosis.

In my opinion, people should be jumping all over his class!

Super happy that I joined Mastrius. Ned is amazing! I feel like I am going to art school. Thanks again for the brilliant idea of Mastrius.

I just love the idea that art is not competitive.

I am no where near looking to sell anything and I may never, but I always feared there was great competitiveness out there so it would be hard to find camaraderie and support. I am so glad that is not the case.

Mastrius gave me exactly the boost I needed to understand how to market and sell my work.

I made invaluable connections and the support was amazing.

I ♥️ belonging to the Mastrius community. It’s been amazing connecting with other artists, learning together from the masters as well as each other.

So many wonderful, supportive friendships have formed & I look forward to the day when I get to paint with my all my new artist friends.

I can’t wait to see where this all takes us!! ⁠⁠

I benefited tremendously from the whole experience of being in this Aspiring Artist group; the mastermind expertise, the group interaction, the homework exercises.

My painting has improved so much and I am beginning to find my style.

I am learning too much from Mastrius to quit.

I learned way more in this course than I did when I was in art school. The combination of developing technical skills and discussing practical business practices is valuable for an artist. Maybe Mastrius should consider adding a student tier.

I still have so much to go, but Mastrius has opened my mind and taught me things I had no idea about in regards to art and being an artist.

Not only do the instructors care and do their best to adapt to an online environment, but the navigators and other member artists are supportive and willing to share their ideas and knowledge.

Thank you Mastrius for accelerating my artistic journey and giving me a place of belonging!

Mastrius has been a godsend for me as an aspiring artist.

It has provided a clear path on how to improve. It is so great to meet like minded artists and its a bonus when they live close by!

Mastrius has again changed me and the way I see and approach my art practice.

Such an amazing community!

I came across Mastrius and after speaking with founder Julie deBoer I made the decision to join one of the mentoring groups.
I have been connected with a group of women that I’m sure we will be friends for life. I’ve had the opportunity to be mentored by Master Artists such as Julia Veenstra, Veronica Funk, Robert Burridge, Ned Mueller.

Being a part of this community has kept me focused on producing my artwork, improving my skills, learning about the business of art and connecting with the art community.

My group encourages and pushes me to do more. Looking forward to the future!!

When covid started, my art group stopped.

Then came along Mastrius and these mentorship groups have given me the accountability and community I was looking for.

Well, you could technically sign up for a month, attend the Master’s mentoring session and then cancel – but that’s not what the program is about. You will likely want to stay longer and learn more. Best way to know that is to give it a try.