About the Author

Paige Wilde

My name is Paige (Valderas) Wilde, and I’ve been a high school art educator since 2017. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and I feel incredibly lucky to now teach in the same part of town where I grew up—giving back to the community that helped shape me as a young artist.

I’ve always known I wanted to be an artist. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a pencil or crayon in my hand, constantly drawing and creating. What truly sparked my passion for teaching art was my high school art teacher. His ability to engage us, challenge us to think critically and creatively, and make art feel exciting and meaningful made a lasting impression on me. I remember thinking, “I want to do that!”

Interestingly, I was awarded a full-ride scholarship for engineering and originally entered college as an engineering major. But just one week before classes started, I realized I couldn’t go through with it. I knew deep down that I was a creative soul and couldn’t imagine doing anything other than being an artist—and a teacher.

While I was in college, I started learning the art of caricature and would often set up my easel in the dorm hallways for practice. I also began drawing caricatures professionally along the San Antonio Riverwalk. By the time I got my first teaching job, I was already four years into my caricature journey and wanted to bring that into the classroom. That’s when I started my after-school caricature club where I teach students everything from basic techniques to participating in live school events like fall festivals. I’m proud to say that I still run this club today!

In 2019, I began my Master of Arts in Art Education at the University of Texas at Austin. Grad school gave me the perfect opportunity to combine my love for teaching with my passion for caricature. My thesis project was a 100-page book titled “Caricatures At-A-Glance: A Resource for Art Educators,” which includes lesson plans, activities, artist spotlights, and a historical look at caricature as a unique and valuable art form.

In 2021, I became an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s University, where I teach future art educators and elementary teachers. I also teach Dual Credit Art Appreciation at the high school level. Outside the classroom, I stay active in the caricature community; I served as Board Secretary in 2021 and as Editor of the print publication Exaggerated Features in 2022.

I truly love being an art teacher. Art is such a huge part of who I am, and being able to share that passion with others every day is something I’m endlessly grateful for. In my spare time, you’ll still find me drawing, spending time with my husband and our son, cooking, and traveling to new places whenever we can.