Isabella Grossman
Teacher, Writer, and Artist in Manhattan, New York
My name is Isabella Grossman, founder of Little Picasso NYC. Inspired by my granddaughter Novella, I have established Little Picasso NYC The Children's Art Studio back in May of 2011. Little Picasso NYC is a children's art studio. It is a place where children can have fun, get messy,create and experiment with studio and visual arts. The youngest group of children being 2 years old and up to NO LIMITS in age, they are taught to think outside the box and venture into their own magical world of pure imagination while exposed to studio skills at their age appropriate level. It is not an arts and crafts establishment. It is an artists studio for budding young artists.
An FIT Alumni. Lived in China for several years running and managing a company that manufactures women's fine accessories and related sportswear separates made of Eco-friendly fabrics and materials. Acted as the head designer, chief production officer and CFO, I was faced with the challenge of having to make a decision when I learned that my daughter was about to become the mother of my first grand child: Do I go back home and face the uncertainties of a tough economy, in competition with young college graduates working at entry level internship positions for what ever jobs might be available, if any, be the grandmother, or keep my ideal job in Guangzhou until retirement? I had no life, married to my job and working on the average of 15 hours a day - It was time to come home!
My worst fears came to be: Looking for work, overqualified and middle aged my resources were dwindling while watching Novella grow up. Spending every precious moment available with her and grooming her into a little young artist as soon as she was old enough to stand up and grab things. Forced to work at odd jobs and freelance gigs (not too many available - the jobs were in China) I was creating a Little Picasso without realizing it. My daughter was watching us with joy when she dropped the brilliant brainstorm idea shortly before Novella's 2nd birthday. "Mom stop looking for a job, the ideal job for you no longer exists in this country. Take what ever money you have left and do this for a living. Open up a children's art studio - This is your calling" A month later Little Picasso NYC opened the doors to the public in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, one block south of where my granddaughter lives. I am home!