LAERT ALEKSI XHAFERI

Laert Aleksi was born in Vlore, Albania, in 1984. He moved with his family to Athens, Greece in 1992, where he began taking art lessons from his father Sabaudin Xhaferi, at the age of eight. Inspired by his father - turned - teacher, he begun a long journey of discovering the beauty and excellence of art. He moved in the USA in 1999; continued studying under his father on a daily basis while continuing his high school education. With his father and a lot of paintings to show, they opened Studio Sabka in 2006.

The art lessons helped him learn everything he needed to push him to what now has become a daily lifestyle for him at Studio Sabka following his father’s footsteps teaching professional art. His goal was simple: pass on his knowledge to open and inspired artists. “Art has given me an opportunity to learn a lot about myself, enriched my soul, and most importantly - it has given me something more, a family that now I call Studio Sabka”.

Now married to his wonderful wife Kinsey and raising their two children, he has even more beautiful reasons to create beauty. “ I will never forget the most important advice my dad ever gave me, he said “You have to love art and be patient, with all of the process, that’s what will allow you to understand the depth and wonders of art”. 

CHLOE LACEFIELD

From a young age, Chloe Lacefield has possessed a special talent in art. She studied under Laert Aleksi Xhaferi at Studio Sabka for several years. Afterwards she studied at Dallas Baptist University, graduating with honors and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts. During her time there she studied the old masters of classical art, learned how to draw realistically from life, created numerous realistic and impressionist drawings and paintings, and explored various art mediums.

Chloe Lacefield has a passion for creating art that inspires, uplifts, encourages, and ultimately brings glory to God. She finds joy in sharing what she knows with others and equipping them to be the best artist that they can be. But in the end, it is not just about producing a beautiful painting, but “enjoying and trusting the process.” From teaching the fundamentals of how to draw objects accurately from any viewpoint to how to artistically add flavor to a painting with an expressive brushstroke, Chloe looks forward to helping students grow in their artistic journey. Chloe has experience in oil painting, watercolor, graphite, charcoal, and conté.

Throughout her artistic journey she has competed in numerous art shows and is currently fixing up murals at a local church. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, going to church, spending time with family and friends, playing games, baking/cooking, playing pickleball, paddle boarding, enjoying nature, and anything Star Wars.