Jonathan Simon is a fine artist, illustrator and university professor. He holds a B.F.A in illustration from Memphis College of Art and a M.F.A. in painting from the New York Academy of Art. He has studied with a variety of talented artists in both accredited programs and private apprenticeships, including Tony Ryder, author of The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing, Jacob Collins and Michael Grimaldi of Water Street Atelier / The Grand Central Atelier, and Frank Porcu at the Art Students League of New York.

Jonathan prefers to work from life, as opposed to photographs. "Using live models and setups affords me the opportunity to study, interact, and change course in real time," he says. "I enjoy this careful examination of my subjects, as much for the artistic process itself as for the end result."

A studio artist for more than 28 years, Jonathan is also an experienced art educator who has held full-time faculty positions teaching intermediate- to advanced-level drawing, figure drawing, painting and illustration classes at colleges such as the New Hampshire Institute of Art. He believes in sound, proven methods, materials and approaches and offers both private and group instruction on everything from basic drawing skills to more advanced concepts.