The Signal Newspaper: Michelle Buttleman

'60 Minutes with portrait artist Tandy Zorba

The Santa Clarita Artists' Association (SCAA) will present Tandy Zorba, fourth speaker in a series of art lectures entitled "60 Minutes with an Artist" 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at the Valencia Library. Zorba's topic is living portraiture.

"My artistic goal is to record mood and character in the portrait of an instant," she said. "I want my art to connect artist and observer in the common understanding that - beyond our differences - we humans share universal feelings, and silent modes of communication that transcend language and culture. Before I pronounce a work finished I like to see a blending of these two opposite: How my subject differs from every other in the world, and yet is the same."

Zorba said she works mostly from photographs - and enjoys the art of photography as well. She said she likes to take the photos she uses to create the finished portrait.

"Most people, especially children, aren't comfortable sitting the length of time required to get a good likeness," she said. "If I'm commissioned to do a portrait over the Internet, and I'm using someone else's photos and not likely to meet the person I'm portraying, I like to discuss what it is about that person that is so special."

She will often request a video, preferably one showing interaction with family to assist her in creating the finished portrait.

"If the piece is a two-dimensional work, depending on what best suits the artwork; I use pencil, watercolor pencil, acrylic, or pastel - whatever enhances the creative likeness. My three-dimensional works might be in clay or fabric," Zorba said.

Zorba attended the Chouinard Art Institute, before it became California Institute of the Arts.

She later studied with Dora Kaminski, one of the original Taos artists, with the prominent sculptor David Elder, and with the Italian artist Mario DeFarrante, who believed art was like a prayer, and created loud, vibrant paintings.

"An artist friend describes my style as classical-crazy. However, children remain my favorite subjects, and somehow seem to exemplify my person philosophy, that art should be beautiful, truth-based, and fearlessly individual," Zorba said.

The lectures presented by the Santa Clarita Artists' Association are free to the public and all ages are welcomed.


The Valencia Library is located at 23743 Valencia Blvd. (corner of Magic Mountain Parkway and Valencia Boulevard) (661) 259-8942.