It takes a creative mind to run a business successfully, so on January 26, Launch Workplaces in Gaithersburg brought together its business members and artists from The Artist Compound for a happy hour and interactive seminar on inspiring the mind.
Graphic designer Benjamin Jancewicz from Zerflin gave a talk about his journey as an artist to an enraptured audience. What started as an interest in robots and engineering turned into a study of the digital arts featuring shadows, highlights and typography. His digital images are printed on canvas and stretched on frames resembling silk screen prints.
Visual artist Jerome Chester was in attendance and worked on a beautiful funky floral painting in Launch’s coworking space. It was mesmerizing to watch him. He says his style is heavily influenced by the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, George Condo, Annie Preece, Charles White, and Miya Bailey with a twist of Alley Kid Art thrown in it.
Printer Lorriane Imwold offered a hands-on experience for attendees, which was a lot of fun. Participants could make an original block print using materials that she provided. She taught how to draw a design, trace it on a rubbery block piece, then cut out around it to make the image raised. With an application of ink, the block could then be pressed onto notecards or parchment paper. Everyone was thrilled with their pieces and it was a reminder that creativity lives in us all.
Artworks from The Artists Compound are featured in a gallery in Launch’s Gaithersburg office for three months and are for sale. Stop by and take a look!
Summary Provided by: Karen Kalantzis
