Art Space Talk: Leah Tomaino (Part 2)

Recycled Paper Collages: Smith Mums by Leah Tomaino

This is Part 2 of my interview with Leah Tomaino. To read Part 1 click, HERE

Brian Sherwin: Tell us about your process in general. For example, do you work from nature, use reference photograph, or do you create your images in an intuitive manner?

Leah Tomaino: I do all three! I enjoy working outside during the summer months, however my camera is a very important tool to me. I take photographs as often as I have the opportunity and use my photos in my studio during the colder seasons. I start with brown grocery bags which I rip and adhere to canvas. I also paint additional bags, tear them, and then apply them to the canvas into the image of my subject.

BS: Leah, you studied at Cooper Union, William Paterson University, and abroad. Can you tell us about your academic background? Did you have any influential instructors?

LT: I studied painting during my years at The Cooper Union. I did have influential instructors, one in particular, Mr. Don Kunz. He was a painter and he also taught calligraphy. It was through the study of calligraphy that I learned of the serious discipline that is required in order to fulfill my artistic goals.

Recycled Paper Collages: Canadaigua Lake by Leah Tomaino

BS: What about influences in general?

LT: Asian art has always been a influence on my work. I also have been greatly influenced by the American artist, Selina Trieff. I met Selina while at Cooper, for she was the mother of my good friend. I was enthralled with her work and way of life. She has been the biggest artistic influence in my life.

BS: What are your thoughts concerning the internet and utilizing the World Wide Web in order to gain exposure for your art? In your opinion, why is it important for artists to embrace the internet?

LT: The internet has been an incredibly valuable tool for exposure. I have had many opportunities presented to me that otherwise would not have happened if not for the World Wide Web. One thing tends to lead to another. It is very important to get your work out there!

BS: Do you have any concerns about the art world at this time?

LT: I am mainly concerned about the economy at this time. I am concerned that funding for important art programs for children may be cut.

Recycled Paper Collages: Sincerely, The Curator by Leah Tomaino


BS: Finally, is there anything else you would like to say about your art?

LT: Only that I am currently looking for gallery representation! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!



Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin
Senior Editor
myartspace.com
www.myartspace.com
Myartspace Blog on Twitter
www.twitter.com/myartspace_blog

Art Space Talk: Leah Tomaino (Part 1)

Leah Tomaino states that her work is grounded in her soul. She explains that she is taken aback by the beauty and intangible qualities of natural flora: the various textures; the amazing flowers and fruits and foliage; and most of all, the spectacular rejuvenation after what appears to be a most definite death in the bleakness of a cold, dark winter.

Furthermore, she states that in our largely urban society, the ability to appreciate our natural surroundings has become dulled-the ability to see the wonder in a tree, the magic and the mystery in a flower, the indescribable peace and contentment that can fill one’s heart. She says, “I try to show this to the viewer as my work is a surreal reminder of the peaceful, centered energy of the miraculous, natural living world which surrounds us.”

Tomaino was recently selected for representation at the NYAXE Gallery in Palo Alto, CA. NYAXE Gallery is a brick & mortar gallery that is managed by Catherine McCormack-Skiba, founder of www.myartspace.com. The gallery serves as a bridge between the physical and online art world.

Recycled Paper Collages: Blooming Cherry by Leah Tomaino

Brian Sherwin: Leah, you were selected for representation at the NYAXE Gallery in Palo Alto, CA. As you know, NYAXE Gallery is operated by the founders of www.myartspace.com and www.nyaxe.com and serves as a way to bridge the online and physical art world. Why did you decide to submit your work for consideration?

Leah Tomaino: I submitted my work to be reviewed because I believe that it is important to always be involved in a couple of good competitions because they offer different valuable opportunities. The NYAXE Gallery competition seemed to me to be a great competition because of the potential press coverage that the winners could receive. In addition I have been a member of www.myartspace.com for quite a long time and have found the site to be user friendly as well as having integrity.

Recycled Paper Collages: Tyler by Leah Tomaino

BS: You have stated that your work is a surreal reminder of natural world that surrounds us. You are concerned that the day-to-day life of urban society has dulled our perception and appreciation of nature. Can you go into further detail about that and how you strive to, in a sense, wake people up to their surroundings within your art?

LT: I find everything about nature to be fascinating. The color that surrounds us especially thrills me. For example, as I drove up to New England last Friday, I was so inspired by all the various different budding Spring greens that I found the highway to be surrounded by. There were yellow greens, emerald greens, olive greens, dark greens, white greens, hunter greens, hooker greens, sap greens…they just went on and on…and they were surrounded by beautiful hues of browns and purples that peeked through from the surrounding trees that had not yet budded.

The highway view was actually delicious! In my art I try to make the viewer be aware of just how beautiful the natural world is in terms of these naturally occurring popping colors. I think that I also wake people up when they realize that they are looking at recycled brown grocery bags!

Recycled Paper Collages: Looking Up by Leah Tomaino

BS: On a philosophical or spiritual level one could suggest that your work explores the idea of life after death-- or the concept that there is something more to life than just living. Can you go into further detail about that and how it is conveyed within your work?

LT: I am very interested in the possibilities of life after death. I love to work with trees as subject matter because they are a great visual symbol of death in the winter and life in the spring. Also, I find that there really is more to life than what we can see. I often choose to paint the roots of the trees as well as what we see above the ground to represent this.

This is Part 1 of my interview with Leah Tomaino. To read Part 2 click, HERE

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin
Senior Editor
myartspace.com
www.myartspace.com
Myartspace Blog on Twitter
www.twitter.com/myartspace_blog