Imaginary Beings with Laura Balombini
When: July 29 - August 2, 2024
Where: Jen Tough Gallery / AIR Studios Santa Fe
About this workshop: Creating art from found objects is universally kool..besides old stuff has stories to tell. We’ll add our own magic to our “Imaginary Beings” as we design medium sized sculptures (15”) either wall hung or table top from wood, plaster, epoxy sculpting medium , plaster bandages and steel wire. They may be animal or human or a mix of both..but they’ll be original. I’ll offer demos along the way of attaching bodies to legs ..heads to bodies, layered plaster , sculpting with epoxy clay and making sure that the finishing embellishments and paint are what you had imagined. I’ll also be teaching how to video yourself in the class and using reels on Instagram to promote your work as well as a guide to pricing, displaying, finding ones’ way in the art market world. I would be amiss to not include a class trip to the infamous Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe for an afternoon of drawing and design planning during our week together. It is a treasure to behold for storytellers in art.
Supply list (PDF download): LINK
About the instructor, Laura Balombini: I've always been an artist. I painted goose eggs and took them door to door at Easter when I was seven. I wanted to buy fabric to sew my own clothes and figured this way I could make what I wanted. I agreed to teach pottery to my fellow students if my high school art teacher would allow me to acquire a wheel, kiln and clay as I was bored with drawing and calligraphy (her favorite). The football team and myself became art friends. Even now as I am painting , or working on mixed media sculpture I will continue to seek out other materials just to keep the exploration part of creativity alive and healthy.
I moved with my disabled adult son to New Mexico in 2015 after his father passed away in Maine and I knew I would have a hard time going solo in the Maine winters. Both places are solitary and beautiful and full of artists and great thinkers. I am finding my way with gallery space changes , teaching at the studio but now acquiring the skills to share myself virtually as well. It would be rewarding to think that now I can relax a bit and just create art that is both meaningful and pays the bills..but our new reality is such that more than ever artists must be proactive in promoting work, teaching, sharing, making videos..etc. It’s an endless job..even more so for a single woman with a son who still needs home care.
Instructor website: www.lbalombini.com
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Schedule of workshop: Monday 9:30 AM Meet at studio space ..set up work areas. Introduction of attendees and instructor including art making history and expectations for class individuals and for instructor as guide. Introduce gallery owner/manager as well as rules for the building, kitchen etc and possibility of open studio on Saturday if they choose to participate.
Design ideas : looking at Pinterest or designing on paper to hash out ideas.
12:00 lunch (sandwiches, salad and drink provided)
Demo of engineering as part of design to ensure stability and or packing. Start figure.
4:30 ends clean up.
Tuesday 9:30 AM Demo of tools ,plaster bandages, mesh. Go over individual ideas. Studio time.
Intro to Reels on IG with videos.
12:00 lunch
Discuss found object hotspots in Santa Fe or show us what you brought.
Studio time.
4:30 ends clean up and what to visit in Santa Fe and surrounding area.
Wednesday 10:30 AM Meet at Folk Art Museum.
12:30 packed lunch outside in Botanical Gardens
2:00 back at studio or take afternoon to explore materials to use.
4:30 ends clean up
Thursday 9:30 AM Answer any questions, solving problems , Apoxy clay demo. Mold making demo.
Making work to sell discussion…pricing, finishing, shows.
12:00 lunch
Adding embellishments ..discussing “story” of the pieces. Practice reels. Adding molded components. Using glues, dowels, screws to secure.
Finishing with sealants , paints ..sprays ( outside).
4:30 ends clean up
Friday 10:00 AM finishing surface and display.
Photographing your work. Using social media.
12:00 lunch What have you learned about materials.. and yourself ?
Finish piece or pieces if you had time to do two..lucky you!
4:30 ends clean up
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A sandwich lunch will be provided the first day of the workshop (vegetarian accommodated, but not gluten free). For the other days, please bring your lunch and store in refrigerator or freezer. Kitchen with microwave, unlimited coffee, tea and ice water. Multiple restaurants and grocery 2-5 minutes from facilities.
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*By reserving/paying for a studio or workshop at Jen Tough Gallery LLC (DBA AIR Studios Santa Fe), you acknowledge that you have read and agree with our Cancellation Policy and Terms of Service. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out: Jen@JenTough.gallery
