BUSINESS FEATURE
BY JAMES T. NORMAN
Patrons of The Art Life can learn to paint.
The studio features several paintings.
ART LIFE LESSONS
Jay Ybarra o ers a variety of lessons to patrons.
MUSICAL
Cello
Guitar
Percussion
Piano
Jay Ybarra opened The Art Life in 2020 and o ers a variety of lessons.
Ceramics lessons are growing in popularity.
PHOTOS BY JAMES T. NORMAN COMMUNITY IMPACT
Violin
The Art Life Studio owner looks to bring the artist out of everybody W hen Jay Ybarra’s sons
ARTS
Ceramics
Painting
Pottery
Sculpting
started a studio he named “The Art Life,” a space in Webster where— when he’s not performing music with his children at night—Ybarra spends his days painting; playing instruments; sculpting; and, above all else, teaching. “I never saw it coming,” he said. “I give it all to God.” Ybarra said he feels compelled to pass on what he knows. He now teaches about eight instruments as well as painting and other art forms. People of all di erent back- grounds—from airplane pilots to heads of banks to doctors— approach him having had a longtime urge to paint or play. “The idea that someone comes to
me and asks for lessons tells me it’s something they’ve been thinking about for quite a while,” Ybarra said. Taking lessons, especially in a class setting, can be an “exposing” experience, Ybarra said. It’s not something everyone is ready for, so he o ers private lessons, too. Still, it’s a lifestyle and practice that begs to be shown o . The stu- dio’s walls are covered in paintings. Multiple instruments sit in front of a stage in the center of the studio. Ceramics are starting to add up in the studio, too, as Ybarra recently added that to his list of talents. “When I go to sleep at night, I’m living the art life,” he said. “And I just want to share that.”
asked him to learn the guitar so he could teach them, he didn’t think twice about it. He bought a guitar the next day and took up lessons. After a month, Ybarra’s instructor made it clear that this father who made a living selling bread was meant to do this. “I was thinking he wanted more lessons,” Ybarra said with a laugh. It’s been more than 20 years since that day, and in the time since, Ybarra has turned his chil- dren’s request into not just a career but a lifestyle. He’s also added painting, sculpting and photogra- phy to his list. To commemorate that, Ybarra
The Art Life 527 El Dorado Blvd., Ste. B, Webster 832-880-6899 www.theartlife.net Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun.-Mon. closed
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