2025 Class Roundup
Looking back on this past year of teaching, I continue to be amazed by my students’ perseverance, curiosity, and commitment to learning. Working with both adult and youth classes has been incredibly rewarding, especially seeing how skills grow over time alongside confidence and creative voice. What stands out most is the pride students take in their work and their willingness to practice, revise, and push through challenges. This roundup offers a glimpse into that journey and celebrates the dedication and progress across all of this year’s classes. Below are highlights and examples from each group, showing the range of work and growth that took place along the way.
Creatures
This year, I taught a wide range of classes focused on birds, arthropods, insects, and mammals.
In one of my watercolor bird courses, a student shared, “Robin’s class was excellent as always. I appreciate that she provides feedback about your artwork even when you’re not sure what to ask.” One of the aspects I value most in teaching is one-on-one interaction, and I strive to meet students where they are in their artistic development.
One course I taught at Olympic College was especially unique. On the first day, students learned from an entomologist, followed by two days of art instruction with me. A student reflected, “This is the first art course I have ever taken. The course was able to effectively accommodate students with inexperienced and experienced drawing and painting skills.” I recognize that students come to my classes with a wide range of experience, and I intentionally design lessons that are accessible while still offering opportunities for growth at every level.
One student shared about my butterfly and moth class, “The instructor was so patient and helpful and explained things so well. The community of the class was positive.” Feedback like this reflects the supportive and inclusive learning environment I aim to foster in all of my classes.
In addition to adult courses, I also taught a variety of youth classes focused on Puget Sound wildlife and scientific illustration. In one of these classes, students painted slugs found on the Olympic Peninsula, and I was delighted by how engaged they were with the subject matter. Their curiosity and enthusiasm reminded me of my own early interest in wildlife, and it was rewarding to see that same sense of wonder and focus reflected in their work.
Botanical
Another group of classes I taught focused on botanical watercolor. In one course, students studied and painted different parts of a single plant. Following the class, a student shared, “This class was wonderful and Robin Bundi was so knowledgeable. Being good at art doesn’t make a good teacher, but Robin was good at both. She was able to break up the content so it didn’t feel overwhelming. I was able to build on my technical skills and I’m really happy with what I learned.”
I also taught a plein air watercolor class at the arboretum. One student reflected, “I loved the class, learned so much more than any newbie should rightly expect to, and am eager for new similar opportunities. I learned a great deal not just in terms of information or facts, but also about how to think in terms of mental frameworks and ways of connecting with nature and creating art.” While I teach foundational technique in this class, working outdoors often presents a very different experience than painting in the studio. I draw on my own background in nature journaling during backpacking trips to help students navigate those challenges and find inspiration in their surroundings.
In several classes, I structured the curriculum so students could focus on learning and practicing skills in the early weeks, then apply those techniques in a final project. In one course, students created artwork inspired by vintage fruit crate labels and seed catalog illustrations. As one student noted, “I learned techniques. I was challenged. I stretched myself with the final project.”
Pop-ups
I taught a few pop-up card classes for adults. In previous sessions, students had mentioned they wanted more time to complete each card. Taking that feedback into account, I gave everyone extra time in this year’s class, and once again, students were eager to spend even more time refining their pieces. It was inspiring to witness the patience and dedication they brought to their work, and it was wonderful to hear students exclaim, “I can’t wait to make homemade cards!”
I also taught a pop-up book class for youth, where students wrote their own stories and brought them to life with a variety of pop-up illustrations. This project encouraged both creativity and problem-solving, and it was rewarding to see students take pride in their storytelling and artistic designs.
Landscapes and Natural Objects
I taught a winter landscape class designed to help students explore how to paint snowy scenes. The focus was not on painting what you think a winter scene should look like, but on closely observing the subtle reflections and shadows that bring it to life. One student shared, “Robin is such an excellent teacher! She is so good at painting, so good at teaching, she offers great feedback, I learn a lot, and I am able to make beautiful paintings with her instruction.” I also offered a small landscape painting class, which provided an accessible and enjoyable way for students to get started with landscape work.
In another class, students painted the treasures they discovered on the beach. Each week, they added to their compositions until the pieces were filled with the whimsical and varied finds of a beachcomber’s dream.
Theory and Technique
I offered a watercolor class where students explored creating texture using a variety of alternative materials. My goal was to design a class where students could unlock their potential without relying solely on a paintbrush. These techniques can offer both ease and creative shortcuts. One student shared, “Learning all the different techniques and putting them into practice. Robin is an excellent teacher. She's great at breaking things down and creates a positive, supportive space where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and trying new things.”
Exploring color theory has been a transformative part of my own practice, and I love teaching this class in hopes of offering the same experience to my students. As one participant noted, “I really loved this class. It was so helpful to learn about the ways different colors can be mixed to create all different shades and tones. I have started making my own color mixing book at home with the paints I own. Ultimately, it will save me money on paint as I feel so much more confident in mixing the colors I want with what I have.”
Maps
I taught several youth map-making classes in which students either created imaginative islands or developed maps inspired by Robert Frost poems. In both approaches, it was rewarding to break down the visual language of maps and show students how they could transform those elements into their own creative interpretations.
