About me

Bio

Lydia Zoells (she/her) is an artist and educator based in Madison, Wisconsin. She currently teaches printmaking, figure drawing, and oil painting at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and she also runs teen and adult workshops in her community in Madison. Her first career was in book publishing, which she left to pursue her M.F.A. in painting from the New York Academy of Art. As a beneficiary of continuing education programs for adults, she loves sharing her skills with other artists at every age and level, to build their abilities and confidence so that they can make art they are passionate about. Lydia’s paintings and prints have been exhibited by Susan Eley Fine Art, the Salmagundi Club, Eyes On Art, The Art Cart NYC, The Living Gallery, LIC-Artists, the New York Academy of Art, and MIAD Galleries.

Workshops and classes

I teach painting, drawing, and printmaking workshops in Madison, Wisconsin. Please reach out if you would be interested in booking me to teach a class (private or open to the public).

Upcoming offerings are featured in my Linktree.

Past classes include:

  • Linocut Workshop at Monroe Street Arts Center (August 2025)
  • Expressive Portrait Painting at Monroe Street Arts Center (July 2025)
  • Woodcut Printmaking at Wheelhouse Studios (July 2025)
  • Linocut Printmaking at Wheelhouse Studios (June 2025)
  • Political Printmaking at Communication Madison (May 2025, August 2025)
  • Printmaking for the People: Linocut Workshop at Madison West High School’s annual Equity Day (April 2025)

Thanks

My eternal gratitude to Carolyn Lyford Catalano, who taught me art from ages 10 to 18 and gave me the foundation in drawing fundamentals, materials, color theory, and basic anatomy that made it possible for me to grow on my own for so many years. Most importantly, she instilled a love of the process of art-making and a confidence in my own abilities that has carried me through.