Teaching from the Heart: Dorrie Rifkin on Inspiring Creativity

For Dorrie Rifkin, teaching art isn’t about technique alone—it’s about empowering students to find their voice. As a watercolor artist and educator, Dorrie has spent years encouraging her students to embrace their individuality and turn their passions into art.

Dorrie’s journey started young. At just four years old, she joined an art class at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. “I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t painting,” she says. While her career began in graphic design, painting was always her first love. Over time, her passion for learning and creativity led her to teaching—a role she quickly fell in love with.

“I don’t want my students to copy my style,” Dorrie explains. Instead, she encourages them to bring their own stories, passions, and perspectives to the canvas. For her, teaching is about fostering originality and helping students unlock their unique creative potential.

This philosophy has brought Dorrie some unforgettable moments in the classroom. She recalls one student who didn’t speak English. Using Google Translate, Dorrie found a way to connect, bridging the language gap and helping the student feel at home in the class. “Her passion infected both me and my class,” Dorrie shares. It’s moments like these that remind her why teaching is so rewarding.

As an artist, Dorrie’s tool of choice is the Black Velvet® 3000S Round, size 18. “No matter how big the brush, it still has a small point,” she says, adding that patience is key to mastering any tool. For her students, she offers simple but profound advice: “Take the time to get comfortable with your tools, and they’ll reward you.”

Dorrie’s teaching style also emphasizes preparation. “Use a sketchbook,” she says. “Thumbnail sketches and notes are invaluable before tackling a big painting or teaching a class.” It’s advice that speaks to her belief in balancing spontaneity with intentionality—a lesson both educators and artists can take to heart.

As Dorrie continues to teach both in-person and online, her goal remains the same: to inspire her students to create art that feels authentic to them. “When I see a student using their own photos and developing their own style, that’s when I know I’ve done my job.”

Want to connect with Dorrie or learn more about her work? Visit her website to explore her classes, artwork, and upcoming projects.
​
Whether in her New Jersey studio or online classes, Dorrie is proof that teaching art is about more than brushes and paints—it’s about helping others see the world through their own unique lens.

Facebook: @dorrierifkin

---