Laura Orchard
Bio
As an alumna of the New York Academy of Art (with undergrad work at Rhode Island School of Design and Parsons School of Design), I am dedicated to figurative art and to guiding newcomers to the fascinating world of the human figure. My first anatomy teacher, Jon Zahourek, is the creator and founder of Anatomy in Clay™ and the Professional Maniken, which was designed for the medical teaching and therapeutic community. He has mentored me since 1981 and continues to be a source of support and guidance in my art career. My second mentor is Eliot Goldfinger, from whom I received my first écorché instruction in 1986 at the NYAA. He is the author of the book “Elements of Form: Anatomy for Artists” and also continues to share his wealth of knowledge with me to this day.
Until now, learning anatomy kinesthetically has not been offered in Santa Fe. I offer short classes for just the arm/hand, the leg/foot, and the head/face/neck; something portrait artists can hang their hat on! My drawings and sculpture are shown here in Santa Fe at the Klaudia Marr Gallery and can be seen on her website www.klaudiamarrgallery.com as well as on my own www.lauraorchard.com.
Classes taught by Laura Orchard
Human Anatomy in Clay™ For Artists- Exploring the Arm and Hand
Each student will be using a Professional Maniken skeleton for this class. They will be guided through diagrams and demonstrations to understand the function and form of each superficial muscle as they build each one in non toxic clay and apply it to either the right or left side of the Maniken. The kinesthetic process woven in with lecture and drawing from the model allows the students to integrate this knowledge at a deeper level and incorporate it into both their 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional art work. The material’s fee and model’s fee cover the use of a live model, and the use of the Professional Maniken, which Laura provides for the students.