Pastimes For a Lifetime

I am new to Linda’s studio but after just a few lessons I feel like I have learned a lot and I am enjoying the experience enormously. The atmosphere is serene. She gives everyone one on one time. This is truly a real find!
I had some trepidations initially since I found her through Groupon, not a personal recommendation, however all my concerns were quickly dispelled. She is a real professional, with a well thought-​out curriculum that she adjusts to the student’s level. I am a total beginner and I worried that I would be embarrassed to work beside more skilled people, but the way the classes are arranged we are all working on different things and it doesn’t feel the least bit competitive. I don’t have ambitions to be an artist but did want an outlet for creative expression and I have happily found it here. (Some students are clearly studying art with bigger goals and she seems to be meeting their needs, too.)

I went to Pastimes for a Lifetime for the Graphite 101 Course. I enjoyed my time there and learned about the fundamentals of drawing with graphite pencils. The personal instruction and ability to work at my own pace was a pleasure! Linda is such an attentive, kind instructor, and Jessica is a great office manager and her attentiveness was appreciated.
I recommend for anyone who wants to enhance their artistic skills whether for their personal hobby or career!

My boyfriend and I took classes here over the summer and it was AWESOME! My boyfriend is a long-​time cartoon illustrator, and I haven’t taken an art class since elementary– so it was amazing to me that the course could be tailored to our strengths and weaknesses, as well as teach us both some excellent tricks for drawing.
The atmosphere was always very calming and serene, and we each got some one-​on-​one instruction with Linda, which was wonderful. She really has a way of changing your perspective and allowing you to think more outside of the norm. I learned so so much in the month and a half we worked with her, and I now carry a sketch pad around to help me practice– something I would never have been comfortable doing before her instructional course.
I recommend this studio to EVERYONE!!! Beginners to experts, or an absolute novice like me? — No problem! Linda is an amazing teacher, and her studio is an absolute joy to create in. I just can’t say enough good things about this studio!

The place has a very nice and calm ambiance. I love going every week and just relaxing and drawing. Linda, the instructor is very kind and understanding. She gives all of her students great tips and introduces them to new courses that are all explained professionally and easy.

What began as my fanciful foray quickly transformed into an adventure in learning and a passion for painting. Guided by Linda’s expertise and patience, my art class days are sacred. Linda’s studio and the ambiance she has created became a place for my «special time» away from the obligations and high energy of daily life. It is a place where I can nurture my inner self, enjoy the companionship of other adults and absorb a lifetime of experience. Beginning with essential fundamentals, each student is gently guided by Linda’s gift as artist and teacher. She has a rich history in many ways; many of her younger students have gone on to careers in the arts, older students revisit training and careers they once had and hope to pursue and some, like me, are simply thrilled to be expressing themselves on canvas with a little quiet time! Her company is aptly named, «Pastimes for a Lifetime.»

Linda is incredibly knowledgable and a great teacher. She teaches the why and how behind her lessons which helps in retaining skills. She teaches you the skills to be able to do it on your own, and allows you to work on projects of interest to you. I’ve truly learned a pastime for a lifetime!

Love this place!

I have known Linda for a long time and have had the pleasure of exhibiting many of her students’ artwork in my lobby, I know she care’s so much about her students’ success with their artwork. Linda is a wonder person and great teacher. She makes her students be more creative. I recommend everyone to take her class.

My son very much enjoyed his 5 weeks here, when we used a groupon/​living social/​local whatever deal last year. The art supplies she offered were reasonably priced and convenient. Lovely little studio space behind what I assume is her home. Everyone seemed to be happy to be there. My son wanted to keep taking lessons from her. So why didn’t he?
Because when his voucher sessions were up, she invited us to continue. She saw talent in my son (he really is creative)…and I said we would love to. I inquired about the pricing. It was a little bit out of our budget, so I asked her if there was any flexibility in say, doing an every-​other-​week class instead of weekly? She responded that we could do two hours every other week, instead of an hour each week. Um… that’s the same amount of money?! She also tried to sell me on how worth it she was. I wrote back that I fully respected that, but that it was not doable for us. She wrote back something more about her skills and the quality of the instruction and how she has to make a living, dontiknow, (so basically I’m getting that she thinks I’m trying to haggle with her or something and that I don’t think she’s worth her prices? AND if I give her ½ her monthly rate for ½ her monthly work… isn’t that better than NO money for NO work?)…but the real kicker is how she threw out a nice jab at me about how maybe if I ever learn to prioritize my children’s education and talent in my family’s financial planning, my son would surely be welcomed back.
WHOA!!! WHAT THE FFFFFF…
I have never been so insulted in my life! Certainly not by someone who works with children and wants to take my money!!! Damn, lady!!! I guess she’s pretty jaded by working for all of these hollywood-​wannabe parents who drive bmws and live in foreclosed mcmansions and their children have iPads but they claim to be broke??? CUZ THAT AIN’T ME. When I wrote back and explained to her more personal shit about my family’s life at the time than I needed to (but I… really…my sanity and defensive nature needed me to)…she wrote back and profusely apologized. Like, profusely. But… um…nooooooo. EFFFFF that. How dare you judge people you’ve never even held a conversation with. Too little too late, because she had already allowed her true nature to show. I would NEVER give her my hard-​earned money, and would never want my child near her for fear of her judging him based on which frivilous art supplies his family could afford or some trivial judgemental bullshit.
So…if your family is well-​off, great, go get some lessons. She seems talented. But if your family is not well-​off, and you were just wanting to find a place to nurture a talent you see in your child, steer clear!

I am copying and pasting my review because it got sent to the filtered and I am a real customer who has been taking lessons here since November. I will continue to repost my review until it stays because I really love Linda and Jessica (the receptionist). YOU MUST GO HERE FOR PIANO LESSONS!!! LINDA IS THE BEST
I wish I could give more than five stars and I could not imagine anyone giving less than five stars!!! I am 27 and I have never taken piano lessons before, but I decided to learn one my my favorite instruments and stop telling myself its too late to start now. I found this place thanks to Unilocal and would like to thank all the reviewers for their recommendation. Linda is an amazing teacher. I have never felt so encouraged and excited that I am actually doing this and getting good. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but the way Linda teaches her lessons makes everything so clear and everything makes sense. I was looking for someone who could teach me as if I were a child doing this for the first time since I had no clue about playing properly and reading music. Linda is very professional and she is a real artist who loves her craft. As a business owner myself, the main quality I am looking for is someone who loves what they do and is passionate about it because thats what makes them do their best. She is always on time, very polite, super cute personality, extremely educated, motivating, and just an all around great teacher. I would recommend her to every child and every adult. Even if you are an adult with experience, you have to go see Linda to be retrained because she is a true perfectionist and will make you the best piano player out there. I have talked to my clients who play the piano about the way she teaches and they are all in shock about how much more I knew than them. So put down your at home beginner books and get some real training because not only will you be as educated as you can be and not only will she teach you everything you need to know at an accelerated pace and makes it fun, but you will also play properly and be the best you can be. Linda will never make you feel stupid or slow all she does is motivate and encourage. I’m so excited I found this place!!!

Linda amazes me. In a full classroom of 8 or 9 students, each doing their own thing, Linda is able to completely focus on each student’s needs. She teaches about negative space, laying out the picture, and emphasizes tone and layering colors. Eight years ago I was incompetent. Now I receive many complements. Love attending her classes and have made friends with the other students. Sometimes I make up a class in one of her children’s classes. Her relationship with children is wonderful. She plays classical music to calm them and I have never heard her talk down to a child. They seem to be very happy there.

I was introduced to Pastimes for a Lifetime through a «Groupon» that was given to me for my birthday over a year ago, best gift ever!!! Since then, I have become a weekly student, it’s one of the best parts of my week!
Linda is a wonderful instructor, kind and patient. She works well with children, teens and senior citizens. I highly recommend her, especially if you feel you have no talent, Linda will coax it out of you, I see it happen all the time!
Class size is small and everyone works at their own pace and in different mediums. I began my journey as most do, with pencil drawing. I have been an oil painter for several years but I never learned how to draw! Linda is taking away that fear! I’ve learned that magic can be created with oil pastels and I am now wielding a watercolor brush! Perhaps in the future I will move on to Acrylics and Oils but right now I am finding watercolor to be so much fun!
There is always beautiful music playing and Linda often has stories to tell about the music/​musicians, a true teacher!
The studio is located on Burbank Blvd. near Woodman Avenue, it’s situated behind a lovely white picket fence in the back of a home. Just follow the stone path to where your creative adventure awaits you… If you arrive to class early, you can wait in the beautiful gardens or in a sunroom attached to the studio where Linda’s lovely assistant, Jessica, shares the space.
Pastimes For a Lifetime is like a Spa Day for your brain…

I take art classes with Linda every other week and it is the highlight of my calendar. I look forward to seeing Linda, the other students, and just spending some relaxing time working on art projects with my daughter. Everyone is so happy and Linda is wonderful. She’s laughing and joking with everyone the entire time as well as instructing us on how to create master pieces. She knows her stuff!
I am so fortunate to have found her and this class. I would highly recommend Linda’s art class to anyone. The children seem to love her just as much as the adults.

Wonderful classes!
I go to art class twice a month and I love it. The class is small and personal. Linda make sure everyone gets one on one time. I never have to wait when I have a question and Linda knows EVERYTHING about art. The history behind the artists and the products I use. It’s great to know how my Prussian Blue paint is made before I use it:) The pricing is great also. You can’t beat it and the students are all lovely.
I am a make-​up artist looking to improve my technique. After just a few classes my work had improved. I have work from high end couture designers and many photographers in LA. All because Linda’s techniques improved the way I see color and blending. I truly stand out in my field because of these classes.
I highly recommend Linda for Piano or Art classes for all ages!

Anyone can be an artist at Pastimes for a Lifetime. Linda starts with the basics and goes at your pace. The atmosphere is very pleasant. I painted my profile picture of a vintage doll there. I think it came out pretty good.

I was referred by a coworker to this place, and found Linda to be a great teacher. I did not come in with art/​drawing background. Linda has been quite patient teaching me, and I found her way of teaching to be quite helpful. The class size is small, and you get her one on one attention. I’d definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants to pick up on arts/​drawing/​painting. I look forward to going to this class.

Linda is an incredible teacher with a gift for bringing out the unique artistic strength in each and every student. She is a fabulous teacher for both children and adults. I have known and worked with Linda for almost 10 years now, and I have grown and achieved so much as an artist. Her intimate studio provides a harmonious space where she can easily and thoroughly guide and help each student. I never thought I would be able to achieve beauty with oil on canvas, and now I have several beautiful paintings hanging in my home. The best is when my family says, «When are you going to paint another one, mommy?»

My relationship with Linda and her art studio goes more than a decade back when my kids were taking art lessons. Linda takes art seriously and therefore her teaching is very disciplined yet very individual for every single student in her classes. My sons are now in high school and and almost graduating, but I still catch them sit down and come up with such a marvelous piece of art, that I cannot resist not to frame it. I had been recommending her to all my clients from age 6 to as old as they can hold a pencil in their hands without pain — they all love her and her teaching. The joy, the therapy and self confidence is what Linda-​taught class inputs in our children and adults. Art will always be our getaway! Highly recommended!

Linda taught both my daughters art and piano when they were in elementary school. She helped instill in them a love of art and creativity that has stayed with them to this day. Both are artists, one just graduated from Parson’s in NYC and one has started selling her work in numerous venues. Linda was part of their artistic foundation. Highly recommend for both art and music!

My daughter 8, has had the privilege of working with Linda for over a year now. She has learned so much! Linda’s studio is easy to find and in a central location. We drive from Woodland Hills, about 20 – 25 minutes on surface streets. I love her studio! The little pathway to the back where it is located is surrounded by a beautiful garden and trees. Very serene and peaceful. Inspirational for the young artist! My daughter loves the atmosphere, she always tells me how much she enjoys her art class.
Linda also teaches piano, which my daughter also is taking. She had taken lessons before with other instructors but was not really grasping the basics. Linda’s method is perfect for my daughter. Linda along with her husband have created and published a piano teaching method that is easy to grasp and sets up a proper foundation for the young pianist. From stretching before practice to proper posture to ear training! My daughter knows a lot more about how to play the piano properly than some kids that have been taught for a lot longer than her with other instructors! I highly recommend both her art and piano lessons! What my daughter has learned with Linda will truly last a «lifetime»!!