Cynthia Johnson Bianchetta

This one-week workshop "Encaustic Painting: a Contemporary Ancient Art" will be co-lead by Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta and Cari Hernandez. They have designed a workshop that is well suited for beginners as well as experienced encaustic artists looking to infuse new ideas and techniques into their work. With two leaders teaching this workshop full-time, there will be plenty of individualized attention. Both Cari and Cynthia bring years of experience to their teaching, that will help guide and inspire this unique creative artistic journey.

Enjoying the splendid enviroment of Esalen

Attending a workshop at Esalen is truly a unique experience, the natural serenity and beauty of the land create a calm that both relaxes and inspires creativity and personal growth. Finding balance from the intensive creativity that is much a part of the painting workshop, you will find relaxation and rejuvenation soaking in the hot mineral baths, walking or hiking the surrounding grounds, attending a yoga practice, or enjoying a world class massage that was uniquely developed at Esalen (see side-bar for a description).
In addition, the FOOD! Meals are not only healthy and nourishing but wonderfully delicious. Snacks and warm tea are made available throughout the day.
This is truly a place to come and "let go".

Workshop Overview

Ancient Egyptians created an art form in 100 BC that is alive today with many contemporary artists since its revival with Jasper Johns in the 1950s. The alchemy of the elements of fire, air, and molten pigmented wax creates the sensuous beauty of wax paintings. The process of encaustic painting is a seduction and enticement to many creatives because its varied uses and expressions are vast.
This work has an amazing range, from sheer and translucent to boldly opaque and sculptural. Paintings can be created on wood panel, plexi, paper, or collaged with ephemera, found objects, artifacts, and photographs. The emphasis in this workshop will be incorporating our inner life, dreams and spiritual expressions into our art-making through meditation and movement explorations.
This workshop will give a well-rounded opportunity to learn a solid foundation, then let participants loose for experimentation. With five consecutive days of teaching, resources, and support, participants will truly be able to work through the many early learning curves that often inhibit development. The workshop invites new folks with an interest in learning art, as well as accomplished artists who want to explore new creative terrains.

Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta

In her thirty year career as a photographic artist, she has worked and exhibited internationally, nationally and locally. As assistant director & curator of the Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego, Ca., co-created the first international museum solely dedicated to photography, film and video. She is also the former director of the Weston Gallery, Carmel, Ca.

In recent years she has been a co-founder of the Creative Arts Center at the Esalen Institute, in Big Sur, California and the art and photography editor of the Esalen Catalog. Cynthia has been leading photographic workshops for the Esalen Institute, SIGHT/INSIGHT; and also for the Taos Institute of Arts in Northern New Mexico, PHOTOGRAPHING THE LANDSCAPES OF GEORGIA O’KEEFFE and CHACO CANYON PHOTO EXPEDITIONS. Recently she’s led WOMEN’S CREATIVITY RETREATS with Kathleen Carr author of POLAROID MANIPULATIONS, where Cynthia is featured in the Gallery section.

Her most recent work SMOKE & ASH was exhibited in November 2008 at PAQ Studios in the El Caminito Art Complex in Carmel Valley. This work was an abstract response in large-scale acrylic & encaustic paintings, photography and one of a kind monotypes, to the summer fires in Big Sur, where she makes her home. She has studios in Carmel Valley & Big Sur.

www.cjbgallery.com

Cari Hernandez

Cari is a native Californian who calls the Bay Area "home". She attended the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, CA with a major in fine art photography. Upon finishing her studies she opened her own commercial photography studio in San Francisco, working primarily with advertising agencies, producing images for national campaigns.

She is a founding member as well as an executive board member of the non-profit group International Encaustic Artists, in her third term as creator and director of the annual Retreat and Conference.

As a full-time artist, she works in mixed medium using encaustic as the common element in her work. She teaches, lectures and shows her work nationally.

www.carihernandez.com

Cari's Work

Cynthia's work

Workshop Description

For beginning students we will be covering the basics of materials, equipment & safety. We will discuss panels, grounds, paint, and best practices when "building" a painting.
We will meet up with the experienced students learning such techniques as:
-surface... smooth, textured, and in between
-line and edge work
-pouring and creating 3D forms
-image transfers
-collage
-oil stick use
-underpainting techniques
-incorporation of mixed media elements
-scale...working large
and much much more!

About the art program at Esalen

Esalen serves as one of the world's most magnificent gathering places to stimulate creativity and encourage new ways of thinking and being.
Writers, filmmakers, visual artists,musicians, educators, politicians and creative individuals from all fields come to Esalen to work together on creative solutions and new possibilities.
Drawing on this incredible pool of innovators,our art programs provide world-class art and creativity workshops through which individuals can explore, express, and open to their creative potential.
Our classes cover a vast breadth and depth of artistic approaches and mediums with hands-on learning opportunities. We strive to create experiences that enrich the quality of people's lives by offering opportunities and tools for creative expression.

About the Art Barn

Cradled by colorful gardens of succulent and exotic plants and flowers, the Arts Center embodies the creative and rejuvenating spirit of Esalen Institute. Intricate mosaic and mural work, metal sculpture, and brilliant stained glass produced here by staff, visiting artists, and workshop participants decorate the Center and its surroundings.

photography and text credits

The photographic images "the Art Barn @ Esalen", "Sunset view from Art Barn", & "Esalen meditation room" are the property of "Esalen", and are being used on this website for the sole purpose of promoting this workshop. The descriptive text describing "About the Arts Program", "About the Art Barn" & "Esalen massage Defined" is content that is original property and content of Esalen. All other text and images are the property of Cari Hernandez with the exception of Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta"s portrait and artist biography.

Esalen encaustic workshop 2009

the Art Barn at Esalen

Enjoying the splendid enviroment of Esalen

Workshop Overview

Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta

Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta

Cari Hernandez

Cari Hernandez

Cynthia's work

Register for Workshop

Sunset view from Art Barn

Workshop Description

About the Art Barn

photography and text credits



Esalen encaustic workshop 2009 a one week workshop April 26-May 1st 2009 the Art Barn at Esalen This one-week workshop "Encaustic Painting: a Contemporary Ancient Art" will be co-lead by Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta and Cari Hernandez. They have designed a workshop that is well suited for beginners as well as experienced encaustic artists looking to infuse new ideas and techniques into their work. With two leaders teaching this workshop full-time, there will be plenty of individualized attention. Both Cari and Cynthia bring years of experience to their teaching, that will help guide and inspire this unique creative artistic journey. Enjoying the splendid enviroment of Esalen Attending a workshop at Esalen is truly a unique experience, the natural serenity and beauty of the land create a calm that both relaxes and inspires creativity and personal growth. Finding balance from the intensive creativity that is much a part of the painting workshop, you will find relaxation and rejuvenation soaking in the hot mineral baths, walking or hiking the surrounding grounds, attending a yoga practice, or enjoying a world class massage that was uniquely developed at Esalen (see side-bar for a description). In addition, the FOOD! Meals are not only healthy and nourishing but wonderfully delicious. Snacks and warm tea are made available throughout the day. This is truly a place to come and "let go". Workshop Overview Ancient Egyptians created an art form in 100 BC that is alive today with many contemporary artists since its revival with Jasper Johns in the 1950s. The alchemy of the elements of fire, air, and molten pigmented wax creates the sensuous beauty of wax paintings. The process of encaustic painting is a seduction and enticement to many creatives because its varied uses and expressions are vast. This work has an amazing range, from sheer and translucent to boldly opaque and sculptural. Paintings can be created on wood panel, plexi, paper, or collaged with ephemera, found objects, artifacts, and photographs. The emphasis in this workshop will be incorporating our inner life, dreams and spiritual expressions into our art-making through meditation and movement explorations. This workshop will give a well-rounded opportunity to learn a solid foundation, then let participants loose for experimentation. With five consecutive days of teaching, resources, and support, participants will truly be able to work through the many early learning curves that often inhibit development. The workshop invites new folks with an interest in learning art, as well as accomplished artists who want to explore new creative terrains. Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta In her thirty year career as a photographic artist, she has worked and exhibited internationally, nationally and locally. As assistant director & curator of the Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego, Ca., co-created the first international museum solely dedicated to photography, film and video. She is also the former director of the Weston Gallery, Carmel, Ca. In recent years she has been a co-founder of the Creative Arts Center at the Esalen Institute, in Big Sur, California and the art and photography editor of the Esalen Catalog. Cynthia has been leading photographic workshops for the Esalen Institute, SIGHT/INSIGHT; and also for the Taos Institute of Arts in Northern New Mexico, PHOTOGRAPHING THE LANDSCAPES OF GEORGIA O’KEEFFE and CHACO CANYON PHOTO EXPEDITIONS. Recently she’s led WOMEN’S CREATIVITY RETREATS with Kathleen Carr author of POLAROID MANIPULATIONS, where Cynthia is featured in the Gallery section. Her most recent work SMOKE & ASH was exhibited in November 2008 at PAQ Studios in the El Caminito Art Complex in Carmel Valley. This work was an abstract response in large-scale acrylic & encaustic paintings, photography and one of a kind monotypes, to the summer fires in Big Sur, where she makes her home. She has studios in Carmel Valley & Big Sur. www.cjbgallery.com Cari Hernandez Cari Hernandez Cari is a native Californian who calls the Bay Area "home". She attended the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, CA with a major in fine art photography. Upon finishing her studies she opened her own commercial photography studio in San Francisco, working primarily with advertising agencies, producing images for national campaigns. She is a founding member as well as an executive board member of the non-profit group International Encaustic Artists, in her third term as creator and director of the annual Retreat and Conference. As a full-time artist, she works in mixed medium using encaustic as the common element in her work. She teaches, lectures and shows her work nationally. www.carihernandez.com Cari's Work Cynthia's work Register for Workshop http://www.esalen.org Sunset view from Art Barn Workshop Description For beginning students we will be covering the basics of materials, equipment & safety. We will discuss panels, grounds, paint, and best practices when "building" a painting. We will meet up with the experienced students learning such techniques as: -surface... smooth, textured, and in between -line and edge work -pouring and creating 3D forms -image transfers -collage -oil stick use -underpainting techniques -incorporation of mixed media elements -scale...working large and much much more! About the art program at Esalen Esalen serves as one of the world's most magnificent gathering places to stimulate creativity and encourage new ways of thinking and being. Writers, filmmakers, visual artists,musicians, educators, politicians and creative individuals from all fields come to Esalen to work together on creative solutions and new possibilities. Drawing on this incredible pool of innovators,our art programs provide world-class art and creativity workshops through which individuals can explore, express, and open to their creative potential. Our classes cover a vast breadth and depth of artistic approaches and mediums with hands-on learning opportunities. We strive to create experiences that enrich the quality of people's lives by offering opportunities and tools for creative expression. About the Art Barn Cradled by colorful gardens of succulent and exotic plants and flowers, the Arts Center embodies the creative and rejuvenating spirit of Esalen Institute. Intricate mosaic and mural work, metal sculpture, and brilliant stained glass produced here by staff, visiting artists, and workshop participants decorate the Center and its surroundings. photography and text credits The photographic images "the Art Barn @ Esalen", "Sunset view from Art Barn", & "Esalen meditation room" are the property of "Esalen", and are being used on this website for the sole purpose of promoting this workshop. The descriptive text describing "About the Arts Program", "About the Art Barn" & "Esalen massage Defined" is content that is original property and content of Esalen. All other text and images are the property of Cari Hernandez with the exception of Cynthia Johnson-Bianchetta"s portrait and artist biography.