Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vanda Lavar. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Vanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are often hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?

Vanda Lavar <[email protected]>
Wed, Oct 4, 8:35 AM (1 day ago)
to Noel

I chose this topic because I am writing a screenplay concerning my decade-long legal suit which was slated to go before the California Supreme Court against the Academy of Art University, last February. Tenants of this case will shortly be before a judicial review board. The suit has 60 gig of evidence which verifies corruption, and multiple violations of both the Federal and California Education code, while fraudulently collecting tax dollars. I can submit verified court evidence pertaining to my claims. Moreover, the Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education became involved and cut a special deal where the Academy of Art University gave me a Master’s degree after I proved retaliation for reporting them. I also uncovered that the Executive Fine Art Director has yet to obtain an MFA degree, 63 credits or even a Master’s degree at 36 credits and has only a Bachelors degree. Even more shocking, his wife Anna Nelson, Director of the online MFA Fine Arts program, never even earned her bachelor’s degree in art.
There is much more . . .
I was an internationally published artist before attending the Academy of Art University, having my work featured on Sprint Collectable Phone cards, Incline Classic Motorcycle cards, and illustrator for 3 books then. Some of my work was found in Target stores having had a multinational contract with Ravensburger, The world’s largest puzzle company.
I attended the university as an adult, having raised my son, and was seeking the security of teaching art at a University.
The actual incident that started this 10-year tale of intrigue began with my instructor Scott W. Prior, who held a bachelor’s degree at the time and had no expertise in teaching my thesis subject. Furthermore, he asked me to pose nude for the reference photos I needed for my thesis on the beauty of mermaids. Because I was an online student, I have screenshots entered into court evidence of his request. He is also, ” The self-proclaimed, “Bad Boy of Art.” He was my first discovery in the tail of tears and retaliation, which the accreditor WASC Senior(Western Association of Schools and Colleges) refused to address. The Federal government has since sanctioned WASC Senior. It took my 9 years of complaining and running around and of course with the help of a fabulous pro bono attorney, who was able to help me for a time. Eventually, under him I earned my paralegal certification under a business code practice. His name is attorney, Noel Lawrence.
In the end, Elisa Stephens, owner and President of the Academy of Art University was caught in her own net, when she and her ungoverned staff sent out a blanket email, that addressed students by name, and invited them back to finish their degree for free. Elisa Stephens electronically signed it and the Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education was put in the position to enforce it. At first, neither WASC Senior, their accreditor nor the Academy would honor this, nor even the Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education. So I had to wait a few years. But then one afternoon, I called the Bureau and a janitor answered the phone, he divulged that there was a new bureau chief and gave me her name. I credit her with seeing to it that I received my degree. There is more . . . .

Vanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

WESTERN, ANIMAL THEMED AND PORTRAIT ART.

The Hall of Bulls ~ because I am inspired both by my Native American heritage and my reverence for art history, I have chosen to paint cattle with reverence and respect. Cattle are the most ancient and historical of all art subjects, as evinced by the cave paintings in Lascaux, France. I am currently represented by, “Centuar Galleries in Las Vegas..”

Moreover, my family heritage includes champion bull riders and ranchers who tended the herds on the ZX Cattle Ranch in Eastern Oregon. The ZX Ranch is one of the nation’s Largest Cattle ranches. Interestingly, by the end of the 1930’s the ranch owned 230,000 acres and further leased another 1.5 million acres. I can only imagine the early artists in Lascaux, being consumed with recollection of the power and spirit of the Auroch bulls (Upper Paleolithic cattle.) So much that they created what archeologist have deemed, “The Hall of Bulls.” (Gallery of Cattle)Truly cattle are our ancient, collaborators of art culture and arbiters of appropriation. I created my own series, titled, Sala de Toros (The Hall of Bulls) to honor this first art gallery and its subject matter. Moreover, I carefully, choose to add my own present-day, visual experiences within this genre. I have included cameo appearances of crows, who in modern times have a symbiotic relationship with cattle. In creating this series, I worked from memory, firsthand sketches, and photos references. An additional muse is Rosa Bonheur, (16 March 1822 – 25 May 1899), the most famous, female artist of the last century. She was renowned for her style of animal art, called Animaliere.

Most excitedly, will be my upcoming series of special Bovine, in a project headed by agencies in several European countries. It is thus, that I continue the homage to our beloved bovine. My paintings in this series are medium to large, painted on either toned canvas, linen or board, using oil paint. Please look for upcoming

Please visit our other page links at the top for workshops, Fine Art School in the Pines, Plein Air events and paint night dates and options.

Please use the other tabs for workshops, plein air events and paint night. Please visit again soon to see paintings of rare cattle breeds . . .

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I use my instagram accounts @Paint_With_v and also @ArtistVanda1

my website
www.paintwithv.net or artoftewest.art

My school is is accessed through:
www.fineartsinthepines (the former name) or the new name: www.academyArtoftheWest.com

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Moving forward in the art world is a very political game for the serious artist. The story of my experience at the Academy of Art University and the 60 gigabytes of evidence collected of the various violations that led to student loan abuse is substantial. You might want to sign my petition that lists in detail various offenses by this school, there are 225 signatures thus far, which may be found here: https://www.change.org/Revoke_Academy_of_Art_Universitys_accreditation

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artofthewest.art
• Instagram: @paint_with_v
• Facebook: Academy art of the West
• Other: also, @Artistvanda1 for my more serious fine art and Vanda Lavar, on Facebook