Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Tarnoff.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Laura Tarnoff was born in Chicago, Illinois, where at an early age, her paternal grandfather inspired a deep appreciation and love of art. She initiated her art education at the American Academy of Art in Chicago earning an Associate Degree in Illustration and Graphic Design. After living and working in NYC, she went on to complete a BA in Art with a teaching endorsement from Black Hills State University in South Dakota. This allowed her to teach art in the public school systems in Longmont, CO, Rapid City, SD and Seattle, WA. In 2004, Laura moved from Seattle, WA to Santa Fe, New Mexico with her husband. She spent the first 5 years focusing on and developing her art career, and caring for her son, Sammy. From 2008-2016 Laura founded and directed the Tarnoff Art Center (TAC), a 501(c)3 non-profit, art-educational center outside of Santa Fe. During those 8 years, Laura continued to develop her fine art, along with managing the day-to-day functions of TAC as the lead Studio Arts Instructor and Executive Director. As the Executive Director, her emphasis was on program development, educational services coordination, and marketing TAC’s art programs within Santa Fe and surrounding communities. Additionally, she organized and supervised the functioning of several committees including: fundraising, donor cultivation, gallery exhibitions, scholarships, and grant writing, as well as collaborating with a variety of local civic leaders, organizations, and artists. Since the closure of TAC in December 2016, Laura has focused on creating a body of work as a full-time fine artist in her home-studio in El Dorado, near Santa Fe, NM.
Please tell us about your art.
My artwork is a direct expression of my emotions and my interpretations of my life experiences. I am inspired mostly by pivotal moments in my life when I gain new insights; usually during raw and challenging periods, (this is when I have my most meaningful insights and shifts in my perceptions). These moments are often what I depict in my work. I also try to carry these memories into my daily life and hold them near, resultantly, this helps me to see and express these deep emotions in my more spontaneous work and even my abstract painting. Additionally, I am fascinated with perceptions, how they evolve; how one situation, emotion or object can be different, all depending on one’s perceptions and development; and what may be underneath the surface of things or outside one’s scope (yet still exist whether seen or not), at any given moment. This is why I am drawn to the human form and the beauty of what lies underneath the skin. To me, the human form is a divine creation- and it fascinates me- it houses our souls.. As a culture, I think we are taught to admire the surface of things, to maintain youthful bodies, nice looking homes, clothing etc, and to focus on outward appearances. In contrast, I am interested in painting our inward appearances and the beauty that is beneath the human form and beneath the surface of things – outside the scope of our immediate perceptions.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Keep Painting! Keep making art. We all have to earn a living and have regular life responsibilities that tie us up. Don’t let these tasks prevent you from steadily working on your art. Make time for art making. Heres some recommendations for Some ways you can start doing this NOW….
-Form a painting group, paint with other people and see what they do. Meet once a week and make art and plan art exhibitions together. This way you will all help each other with promotion, inspiration, confidence, hanging and show attendance. If you have a regular scheduled in time each week to make art you will be more likely to produce. It will inspire you and also in turn motivate you to create more art on your own time too.
-Involve yourself in local arts organizations. The more involved you are in local organizations the more you will be included in “local art happenings”. This networking can bring you opportunities you may have never found and will also open you up to creative ways of marketing, involvement and creativity.
-Go see art! Go to local art openings museums and events as much as you can!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work can be seen and purchased online through my website at www.lauratarnoff.com. There, originals are for sale along with options for purchasing prints of my work on many different kinds papers and canvas through Fine Art America. I also have a professional art studio, I can be reached at 505-919-888, for an appointment to view my work and purchase in person. Additionally, I participate in the biggest studio tour in New Mexico every May. This year the Eldorado Studio Tour is May 19-20. This year the tour showcases 99 artists in 63 studios in my neighborhood, the website to find out details about this upcoming event is http://www.eldoradoarts.org/studio-tour. I’m also on Facebook, Instagram and Fine Art America.. the links are below.
https://www.instagram.com/laura_tarnoff_visual_artist/
https://www.facebook.com/LauraLynnTarnoff/
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/laura-tarnoff.html
Contact Info:
- Address: 11 Lucero Road
Santa Fe, NM 87508 - Website: www.lauratarnoff.com
- Phone: 505-919-8888
- Email: laura@lauratarnoff.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura_tarnoff_visual_artist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraLynnTarnoff/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauratarnoff
- Other: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/laura-tarnoff.html
Image Credit:
These are all my photos… Laura Tarnoff
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
