Laura Martinez-Bianco

A native of New York’s Hudson Valley, Laura’s paintings are inspired by her surroundings, at home or abroad. After receiving her degree in Art Education from SUNY New Paltz, she continued to study painting with Hudson Valley artists. She has exhibited in National exhibits while receiving numerous awards. Her work is in collections throughout the US and Europe. Laura enjoys the opportunity to paint with and teach others about the plein air experience, and has hosted workshops in New York, Cape Cod, Florida and Italy. On site she works in pastel, in the studio encaustic is her medium.

Gallery

Biography

Laura Martinez-Bianco
laurambianco@aol.com
laurambianco.com
Laura Martinez-Bianco has spent her life in the Hudson Valley and has always appreciated and valued the beauty of its landscape. Her paintings are inspired by her surroundings, whether at home or abroad. After a fulfilling career as an art educator she continues to mentor emerging artists by hosting workshops, these experiences allow her to paint and teach others about the Plein Air experience. Her work spans a variety of medium including pastel, oils and most recently encaustics.

Education-
1983 BS Art Education from SUNY New Paltz
1988 MS in Art Education from SUNY New Paltz

Exhibits-
2024 Street Scenes-MFA Circle Gallery – Annapolis ,Maryland
2023 WAX – Emerge Gallery – Saugerties, New York
2023 Sam’s Point Solo Exhibit – New York State Park – Cragsmor, New York
2023 Garrison Art Center 50 Views of the Hudson – Garrison NY
2021 Cape Cod Pastel Society National Exhibit – Cape Cod, Massachusetts
2021 Small Works Exhibit – WAAM Gallery – Woodstock, New York
2017 Adirondack Pastel Society National Exhibit, Glens Falls, New York
2011 Locust Grove Museum Gallery – Solo Exhibit – Poughkeepsie, New York
2009 Katonah Museum of Art – Regional Juried Exhibit -Katonah, New York

Awards-
2023 Quick Draw Awards – Sedona Plein Air Festival – Sedona, Arizona
2023 Quick Draw Award – Farm to Forest Plein Air Event -Alexandria, Louisiana
2022 Honorable Mention – West Reading Plein Air – West Reading, Pennsylvania
2022 Best Pastel – Grand Marais Plein Air – Grand Marais, Minnesota
2021 Best Landscape – Artists on Location – Knoxville, Tennessee
2021 Juror’s Award – Cape Cod Pastel Society National Exhibit – Cape Cod, Massachusetts
2020 Honorable Mention – Plein Air Group Show – Rice Gallery – Overland Park, Kansas
2018 Juror’s Award – Barrett House Gallery Exhibit – Poughkeepsie, New York
2015 Outstanding Pastel – Adirondack Plein Air Festival – Saranac Lake, New York

Publications –
2023 Main Street Arts – Artist’s Blog Inside the Artists Studio- Clinton Springs, New York
2023 Encaustic Magazine Winter 2023 – Featured Artist – Authentic Serendipity
2008 The Valley Table Cover Art – Regional Magazine of the Hudson Valley

Artist Statement

I am passionate about painting and I savor every opportunity I am given. Each painting is the result of a unique experience that may conclude with a completed pastel but always provides me with a study, a memory that will influence my future works. I have been fortunate to have been juried and invited to paint in Plein Air events around the country. Plein Air painting has provided me with subject matter, the ability to see places I never knew existed, and a community who appreciate the arts.