My name is Cordelia (Cordie) Brown and I am an early childhood educator at Connolly Ranch in Napa, CA and the founder/teacher of The Art Nest. The natural world has always inspired my art from childhood in Colorado to my many years in California: San Diego, San Francisco, and Napa. My tenure at a Reggio-Emilia inspired preschool in San Francisco deeply influenced my approach to education and art. After many years of experience in the field, I established The Art Nest, a haven for children to explore their artistic potential. Focusing on the process instead of the outcome, my classes encourage play, slowing down and taking time to notice the surrounding world.

A mom of two, and wife of a Napa firefighter, I seek balance in my busy life by pursuing my own artistic projects with painting, drawing and walks with my dog. 

Outside of my work with The Art Nest, I sell a series of Connolly Ranch farm animal greeting cards, which can be found locally at Juniper Station, Color Theory, Napa Bookmine and Jeffries General. I also wrote and illustrated a children's book, "I Am Not A Mop!" with a goal to have it published this year. My artwork is available for purchase and I am also available for private art classes and commissions.