Michael chiariello Portfolio Consultation

Michael Chiariello Consulting provides private, targeted portfolio consultation (art teaching and counseling) to students interested in pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in the visual arts. 

To have an outstanding portfolio, you need outstanding work.

Through 28 years of teaching, I have created a way to provide young artists with the experienced mentorship that they need in order to do the deep, introspective, self-risking work that results in authenticity, confidence and an understanding of the value of what they do.

I understand how difficult it is, as a young artist, to create an art portfolio for college; especially when you have to develop a specific portfolio for each college that you apply to.  Over the years, I have learned how to effectively provide insightful and actionable feedback, productive discussion, how to document art, and good advice on how to build a stand-out portfolio. I have made connections with top admissions representatives at some of the best art schools in the nation, and the students that I have worked with have not only gotten accepted to the schools of their choice but have also received sizeable scholarships.  Through this service, I provide a place for young artists to turn for help with the process, both internal and technical, of becoming an artist. 

If you are a young artist or have a child who loves making art, films, animation, fashion, design, drama, or architecture, and are faced with the challenge of making an outstanding admissions portfolio, I can and want to help. I afford young artists the guidance, insight, criticism, and encouragement that only a professional artist can. 

My goal is not only to help students get into a good program, but the one that best suits their personalities, interests, and needs.

I pride myself on the wise and caring support that I offer to families and students coming from a wide range of academic and personal backgrounds. 

Mr. C’s art class in high school was a key factor in elevating my portfolio to where it needed to be to get accepted into all my dream art schools, like FIT, Parsons, Pratt and RISD! His care and attention to detail, as well as his vast knowledge and experience in art and in applying to art schools, is a major asset in taking any art student’s portfolio from being great to exceptional! 

Jaimie Fernandez

Fashion Institute of Technology Class of 2020

BFA in Fashion Design, Emphasis in Special Occasion

+1(914)319-0854 | https://jaimiefernandez.wixsite.com/jaimiefernandez

I am honored to write in support of my favorite teacher, Michael Chiariello. I took his intermediate drawing class as a Junior in High School. Back then, I only saw drawing as a hobby. It was not until I took his class that I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the artistic field. Michael has introduced me to multiple forms of creating art. I discovered that art could have meaning, rather than it just being a pretty picture. I connected to it. I created drawings that represented with me in a deeper connotation. As soon as I entered my Senior year, I began to work hard to create my portfolio. During this time, Michael gave me his advice and support to help me fabricate a portfolio that was meaningful to me and that fit the criteria of the schools I was applying for. Michael was always happy to look at my work and suggest ideas on how to make them stronger. He helped me assemble my portfolio together, and even apply for several scholarships. After submitting my portfolio, I was accepted by all my schools, SCAD and RISD being my top two, (I know he liked to gloat about that). I was even offered extra scholarships from the schools because of my portfolio. I am currently a Sophomore at SCAD, studying Graphic Design and Advertisement. I am incredibly grateful for Michaels help throughout my Senior year. It was an incredible experience to work with him. His passion and devotion to teaching others is inspiring. I will always remember his kindness and generosity. I hope my words will help you understand how an amazing teacher Michael is.
You will be lucky to work with him. 

Selena Mendoza

SCAD Class of 2025

https://portraitsbysxlxnah.wixsite.com/my-site-1

I can say with ease that Mr. C is the reason why I am who I am today. I will be forever grateful for that mess up in my schedule that put me in Mr. C’s introduction to drawing class freshman year of high school. Never before had I connected with a teacher or felt that they had made an impact on my life, but Mr. C was the first teacher who was able to see past the extremely shy kid I was in school, and actually connect with me. It’s hard to even put into words how much I appreciate Mr. C, not only as a teacher, but as a person. He is genuinely the most selfless, considerate, and caring person I have ever crossed paths with, and consistently goes out of his way to create the best experience and environment for his students possible. Each and every one of them is special to him, and he takes the time to get to know them. Not only did he teach me techniques that I still use in my art to this day, but also how to be proud of my work, which is something that I had never even considered before. He is an incredibly talented artist that I felt I could look up to, and to have him treat each of his students as his equal and share inspiration with them, was something that was so valuable to me in the long run, as I felt I was alongside a growing, learning person and a friend. The classroom setting was not one that I was ever very comfortable in, and teachers generally intimidated me, but every day, I would look forward to going to his class and spend as much extra time in his room as I could. I even made sure to take classes that he taught just so I could have him as a teacher. He allowed students to explore and build their own styles instead of giving strict guidelines for assignments; this is also something that I had never experienced in an art class beforehand, and having that creative freedom really helped me to discover what I enjoy creating. I feel so lucky to have worked with an art teacher like Mr. C, especially so early in high school, because I most definitely would not be in the place that I am in now in terms of skill, and I very well may have not pursued my passion.  He is the epitome of what a teacher should be and deserves the world.

Ciara Sergi

Pratt Institute Class of 2024

I was fortunate enough to have Mr. C as my drawing teacher throughout high school. Looking back, I can say with confidence that he is the most supportive teacher I have ever had.

Mr. Chiariello's passion for teaching art is undeniable, and he was always willing to go above and beyond to help his students succeed. He helped me to set up a work study program so that I could explore my interests outside of what was offered in the school curriculum, which was incredibly valuable to me. He also pushed me to be creative and to form my own artistic style, which has had a lasting impact on my work.

One of my fondest memories of Mr. Chiariello was when he organized our senior portfolio exhibit. I have never seen a teacher care so much for their students; he gave his all to see us succeed. Thanks to his dedication, I was able to showcase my best work to potential universities and employers.

Mr. Chiariello is well connected in his field and has many years of experience teaching a variety of art programs. He advocated for my artwork to be featured in exhibits and museums like the Katonah Museum of Art, which was an incredible opportunity for me.

When I was ready to apply to universities, my portfolio had competitive standing from the artwork I produced under Mr. Chiariello's guidance. He helped me to create a cohesive and quality portfolio that ultimately got me into the Savannah College of Art and Design with a portfolio achievement scholarship.

Since then, I have moved abroad to study at the Edinburgh College of Art, where I am now a Landscape Designer. To this day, I think about my time in Mr. C's classroom and how it was my favorite place to be during high school. Even after I graduated and moved on to further studies, Mr. Chiariello remained a mentor to me. His caring nature and genuine interest in my life made a lasting impact on me. I couldn't imagine having a better mentor at such a pivotal time in a young person's life to make the decision to pursue art and design as a career. My career journey truly did start in his classroom.

If you are considering working with Mr. Chiariello for your art portfolio, I highly recommend him. He is an exceptional teacher, mentor, and consultant, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him.

Madison Sacramone
https://www.maditaylordesigns.com/ 

Mr. Chiariello is not only a skilled artist, but a truly kind and passionate individual. He extends openness to working with one’s unique goals yet provides a grounded path toward the cultivation of a strong body of work. His guidance in high school aided me in shaping an outstanding portfolio throughout highly formative years for my art. I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful Mr. C is to work with, and I’m incredibly grateful looking back on such dedicated, impactful mentorship.

Anna Lao

 RISD Class of 2021

 BFA in Textiles

Graduated with Honors