ANNA TOMCZAK
artist. photographer.
WORKSHOPS
PHOTOGRAPHIC TRANSFERS and HAND BOUND TRAVEL JOURNALS
2019 Dates To Be Announced.
San Fedele, Chianti, Tuscany
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San Fedele is an architectural site formed by a romanesque church, mentioned since 1203 in the “lodo di Poggibonsi”, which defined the territories of the Republics of Siena and Florence. It lived through the fierce battles between Guelfi and Ghibellini, and its fortified structure, like that of many other buildings in the area, shows the necessity of defending itself. Capture the inspiration, beauty and mood of the Tuscan hills and let your photo transfers and journal serve as a “Memoir” of your experience. Explore this famous area, its hill towns, vineyards and world-class art while you photograph in historic squares, rolling hills and stone architecture. The valleys will be strewn with soft spring light and flowers as you get to know this iconic area of Italy.
In the studio we will prepare paper for books and make photo-copy transfers with laser prints of our photos in black and white or color. We will use non toxic solvent transfer methods: Chartpak blender pens, wintergreen oil, contact paper and acrylic medium to transfer our images to watercolor paper. Surface treatments will be introduced such as coating with wax and paint. We will also tone papers with coffee and tea and add pastel, oil paint or color pencils onto transferred photographs.
Dinners will be prepared by our personal chef using local and seasonal ingredients to make every meal a feast! We’ll eat together in the dining room each evening. Breakfast is served buffet-style. You are free to eat indoors, out on the terrace or in the garden – or go to town one day and have a cappuccino with the locals!
There is a lovely private pool at the end of the garden which makes for the perfect refreshment any time of the day. San Fedele is within walking distance of the town where there is a grocery store, cafe, restaurant and even a weekly outdoor green market. You can easily be independent to meet and interact with the locals.
Cost: $2895 per person; non-participants and accompanying partners $2,595. $500 deposit due upon registration.
Includes:
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Shared double room with private bathroom in palazzo (single room available for a supplement)
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Daily traditional breakfast and dinner, (including wine) prepared by our personal chef
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Daily classes with Anna Tomczak
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Excursions to nearby towns like Montalcino and Pienza
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Transportation and guide for all local excursions
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Pick up from Florence train station at 3:30pm on arrival Saturday
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Transfer to train station in Buonconvento on final day (not Florence) for connections to Rome, Florence or beyond.
Does Not Include:
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Airfare
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Art supplies
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Independent meals and sight-seeing
PHOTOGRAPHY & CUISINE RETREAT
Spring 2019 Dates To Be Announced
Chateau du Pin - Loire Valley, France
Enjoy 7 days and 6 nights at Chateau du Pin and immerse yourself in the historical gardens and architecture. Photograph, sketch the 15th Century stone and carved wood, use the chambers and parlors to sit and write, or stare at the fireplace in the evening. Along the way, you can keep your memories and experiences in your hand-bound journal. With access to an authentic French kitchen, you can help cook, prep, or watch the wonderful meals being made. We will travel to nearby ancient villages and markets, take in the countryside, make photographs, relax in the gardens, hike the trails on the Chateau’s 300 acres, and laugh together during nightly dinners in the Chateau du Pin dining room while we tell travel stories and drink local Loire Valley (Chateau du Pin) wines. There will also be a magical harp or flute concert one evening in the grand salon.
Cost: $2,500- includes the workshop and a room for 6 nights at the Chateau, which provides a French meal prepared by our chef for breakfast, some lunches, and 5 dinners in the Chateau. Participants are responsible for their own airfare and ground transportation with the exception of scheduled transportation from the Nantes airport or Anger Train Station upon arrival and departure.
San Miguel de Allende is in central Mexico near the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its Baroque/ Neoclassical colonial structures were "discovered" by foreign artists who moved in and began art and cultural institutes. This has made San Miguel a magnet for many artists, linguists, architects and historians.
During the first 3 days of this workshop, we will embark on photo excursions to the scenic areas of San Miguel, such as the Instituto Allende the Escuela de Bellas Artes, El Jardin, the Parroquia, and the colorful markets. A Mexican cooking class will also be arranged.
Then, in the studio we will prepare paper for books and make photo-copy transfers with laser prints of our photos in black and white or color. We will use non toxic solvent transfer methods: Chartpak blender pens, wintergreen oil, contact paper and acrylic medium to transfer our images to watercolor paper. Surface treatments will be introduced such as coating with wax and paint. We will also tone papers with coffee and tea, and add pastel, oil paint or color pencils onto the transferred photographs.
We will also work with a San Miguel artist in their studio, sketching and painting our prints and then explore Fabrica La Aurora, an extensive collaborative of Galleries and Studios in an old textile Factory.
PHOTOGRAPHY & PHOTO TRANSFER PRINTMAKING
2019 DATES TBA
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Cost: $1,700- includes studio space, equipment, most materials, room in beautiful Casa Colibri, 6 breakfasts and four dinners in Casa or SMA. Airfare and ground transport from Leon Airport not included in price. This workshop has limited space reserve soon. Upon registration you will receive a list of materials.
Cyanotype (blue) and Vandyke (brown) printing are two of the oldest photographic methods available. Learn these simple, experimental, antique photographic processes that involve painting light sensitive emulsions in royal blue and earthly brown onto smooth surface papers or cloth. Once the emulsion dries, objects or transparencies are placed in contact with the coated surface, under glass, and exposed in the UV light of the sun. A simple water rinse develops the images.
Once images are created, surface treatments will be introduced such as encaustics ( coating them with hot wax) and hand coloring with paints and pigments. The workshop emphasizes the photographic image, but is not limited to this and can incorporate other modes of expression - such as drawing, poetry, text, collage, and illustrations.
Once you learn the basics, you can continue with this process at home without expensive equipment, and it can be combined with other mediums.
Workshop is limited to 10 participants.
Cost: $365 - includes workshop instruction, use of studio and equipment and $50 for materials.
WAXING THE BLUES
Cyanotype + Brown Print + Photo Encaustic
DATE TBD
Anna Tomczak Studio 340 W New York Ave, Lake Helen, FL 32744
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Materials Included: The materials include blue and brown print chemistry, solvents for photo transfers, negative transparency film, some papers, wax, and demonstration materials.
Materials To Bring: 10 5x7 laser photo copies of your photos (black & white or color) on plain laser paper, pressed botanicals or other flat objects (feathers, lace, transparent materials, x-rays, etc.) A complete list of materials will be sent upon registration.