Laura Martinez-Bianco is a plein air painter who works throughout the Hudson Valley capturing the striking views of the area. Working plein air enables Laura to create her paintings on site, quickly capturing the light and color of a specific moment. The variety of landscapes from mountains to rivers edge from fields and pastures to forests, villages and farmhouses provide unlimited inspirations.

She applies pastel with painterly realism.

Shawn Dell Joyce, founder of the Wallkill River School

ABOUT LAURA'S PROCESS:

The gelatin print monotypes that Laura creates in her studio are based on landscapes that she has worked on site. The spontaneity of the monoprint, the mark making and the limitation of time are similar to plein air painting. Many of the prints are directly inspired by landscapes that she has visited while other prints are embellished and reworked and move away from the traditional landscape.

As well as working in the Hudson Valley, Laura has traveled to Italy, Canada and Africa to paint. June of 2009 she will be returning to the Tuscany to teach pastels plein air, more information can be found at www. Tuscanyjourneyforthesenses.com Although painting and traveling are a passion, painting at home is still paramount. The Hudson Valley has always been home.

Her work is currently in private collections in the United States and Italy. VARGA Gallery, Hudson Valley Gallery, The James Douglas Gallery, Belle Levine Art Center, Katonah Museum of Art and the Museum of the Hudson Highlands as well as various places throughout Italy and Canada have displayed Laura' s work. She is an active member of the NYPAP and the Wallkill River School.

Laura's studio and gallery space, The Artroom Gallery, is located at 384 Bingham Road, Marlboro, NY and is open by appointment.