Mentor
Foto – Olaf Højgaard · @olafphotoworks
About
I believe artistic practice grows through dialogue, attention, and honest reflection. No artist develops in isolation. We find our voice in relation — to materials, to ideas, and sometimes to another human being who can truly see what is emerging.
For more than 16 years, I have worked as a mentor for artists at different stages of their journey — from those preparing portfolios for European art academies to those who have returned to painting later in life, seeking depth and direction.
I am the author of Learn to Paint (Muusmann, 2023), and since 2010 I have taught at Danish folk high schools and at Copenhagen Art School.
To mentor is, for me, an act of careful witnessing. It is a privilege to accompany an artist as their work unfolds — to reflect back what is already present, and to gently question what wants to grow.
My approach is rooted in the meeting of form and content. Form is craft — the discipline of the hand. Content is the inner necessity — the idea, the pulse behind the work.
When these two begin to support one another, the work gains clarity and strength. And the process itself becomes more sustainable, more grounded, and often more joyful.
You can book one-to-one online mentoring sessions, apply for a mentor residency at my studio in Denmark, or join one of my online workshops.
One-to-One Mentoring
I value the depth and clarity that emerge in one-to-one sessions.
This is where we work closely with where you are — not where you think you should be.
Our conversations move between the work itself, your awareness of its content, and — if you wish — the broader circumstances of your life. For some, this includes preparing for art academy applications. For others, it means shaping a sustainable path as a working artist.
I do not believe in quick formulas or clever shortcuts.
I believe in realistic expectations, attentive reflection, and possibilities that grow from your actual situation — not from a template of how success is supposed to look.
Each artist’s path is different. The question is rarely if it is possible, but how — and that often begins with seeing clearly where you stand.
I mentor across all media. Painting is my own primary practice, but over the years I have guided hundreds of artists working in a wide range of disciplines. My education at Goldsmiths gave me a solid foundation across conceptual and material approaches, and long experience has trained my eye.
Online sessions work seamlessly. Simply send images of your work in advance by email or phone, and we will begin from there.
Fee
One-to-One Mentoring 60 minutes — 1,100 DKK (approx. 160 USD)
Payment via PayPal, MobilePay or bank transfer.
To book a session, please send an email:
“Mia-Nelle has been my mentor for four years, and her guidance has meant more to me than I can fully express. She has been a steady presence in helping me strengthen my artistic voice and believe in my work. Since I began working with her, I have developed a strong and coherent body of work, held solo exhibitions, and become part of an art circle. Her support has played a significant role in giving me both clarity and confidence in my path as an artist.”
Hanne / Mentor student 2021 to present
Mentor Residency
It is possible to work alongside me in my studio for a dedicated period of time.
You will have your own permanent workspace and become part of a daily rhythm shaped by focus, dialogue, and sustained practice.
Each day begins between 10:00–11:00 with an individual mentoring session, where we look closely at your painting together.
Our conversations move between form and content, always with the intention of strengthening and clarifying your own artistic voice. The guidance takes its starting point in where you are — and may touch on colour, composition, material presence, and the relationship between structure and meaning.
After the morning session, you work independently in the studio until 3:30 pm.
We conclude the day from 3:30–4:00pm with a shared reflection on the work that has emerged.
During your stay, you have access to the studio at all hours.
You will stay in your own private room above the studio, with a private bathroom. Adjacent to the studio is a small kitchen where you can prepare your meals.
You bring your own materials and food.
The residency takes place in rural Denmark, surrounded by nature, offering both solitude and clarity.
The residency is created for deep immersion. It is open to artists at all levels. What matters is not how “skilled” you are, but your openness to dialogue and your ability to work independently and with commitment.
Fee
Monday–Friday (5 days) — 7,500 DKK (incl. VAT) (approx. 1,100 USD)
Wednesday–Friday (3 days) — 5,500 DKK (incl. VAT) (approx. 800 USD)
To apply, please send an email to studio@mianelle.com including:
Your preferred dates
A brief description of your background in painting
I will respond so we can determine together whether the residency is the right match.
—Hanne
“The serenity of this place transformed both my painting and my state of mind. With Mia-Nelle’s gentle guidance, I found the courage to take my work in a direction I had long felt drawn toward, but never dared to pursue on my own.”
Julie / Resident 2024
Photos from studio and farmhouse
The farmhouse, built in 1901, is painted a soft yellow and surrounded by open sky and fields.
The guest room is warm and orange, with a large-scale magical bird unfolding across the wall.
There is also the possibility to paint outdoors, as I often do, allowing the landscape to become part of your process.
Guest room
Studio house
Fresh eggs in the morning
Studio and house
Painting outdoor