Instructors

Lead Instructor, Associate Professor of Fine Art, Emeritus, Buffalo State University, Buffalo NY

Constance Payne’s oil paintings, drawings and bronzes are conceptualized and crafted in the tradition of the 19thc Animaliers. After obtaining a BFA, MA, MFA from the University of Wisconsin, as an Associate Professor she taught for 28 years as Head of Painting and Drawing in the Fine Art Dept. at Buffalo State University. She retrained herself for 10 years with research into the studio practice and working methods of the most famous French 19thc animal painter, Rosa Bonheur. Through research in private libraries, as well as attending workshops whose pedagogy passed along the lessons of the French Academy system, she applied those concepts to working from live animals rather than the human form.

Education

BFA,MA,MFA University of Wisconsin, Painting & Drawing

Schuler School of Art(summer course), Baltimore, MD

Academy of Realist Art, (Summer courses) Toronto,Canada

Academy of Equine Art,(Workshops) Lexington KY

Gross Anatomy Labs, Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine, Dissection Drawing Grant 

Workshops, Ned Jacobs, Jim Norton AZ & WY

Professional experience

28 years as Associate Professor of Fine Art Instructor in Drawing, Painting, National Lecturer, presenting Workshops with Live models at universities, ateliers and private art clubs. Work included in 4 National museums, 7 hardcover books, 9 one woman exhibitions. For complete Vita go to www.constancepaynestudio.com and hit ABOUT tab.

GALLERY REPRESENTATION

Meibohm Fine Art, East Aurora, NY 1993-Present

William Secord Gallery, NYC, NY 2005-2012

Joy Horwich Gallery, Chicago, IL  1997-1998

Teaching experience

Intro Drawing through Advanced painting, Buffalo State University 1985-2012

Creation of Workshops Drawing and Painting Live Dogs and Horses 1995 to Present

Lectures throughout the United States and Canada on the work and methods of Rosa Bonheur and the 19th & 20thc Animaliers.

Lecture on the Creation of the Roycroft Murals , Historic Roycroft Inn East Aurora, NY

Presentation of Studio Work and Methods of Rosa Bonheur, Dahesh Museum NYC, NY

Rosa Bonheur & Animalers, Academy of Realist Art, Toronto, Ontario Canada

Drawing a Live Dog, Graduate School of Figurative Art, NYC, NY

See Vita at www.constancepaynestudio.com for complete list of Lectures throughout the USA

Grants and Awards

For complete list Please see ABOUT tab on www.constancepaynestudio.com

Collections

AKC Corporate Headquarters, NYC, NY

RALPH LAUREN Home, Hollywood, CA

AKG Museum, Buffalo NY

Castellani Art Museum, Niagara Falls, NY

Historic Roycroft Inn, 4 Seasons Murals, East Aurora, NY

Hundreds of Private Collectors throughout USA, Canada, Japan and Europe.

Associate instructor

Henry Schmidt, a native of Western New York, has enjoyed a remarkable artistic career spanning 50 years. His diverse body of work encompasses fine arts, painting, sculpture, art education, commercial illustration, graphic design, art direction, and television production. Throughout his journey, Mr. Schmidt has cultivated a distinctive style in both painting and sculpture, showcasing his work in numerous solo exhibitions and prestigious juried shows.

Education

M.S., Art Education, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY 1981 B.F.A., Painting and Illustration, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 1975

Professional experience

• Artist in residence Buffalo Maritime Center Foundry 2016– present 
• Roycroft Renaissance Master Artisan in sculpture 2015 – present
• Buffalo Society of Artists, exhibiting artist, 2024 - present 
• Henry Schmidt Art & Design 2013 – present, Offering fine art and eclectic design solutions. 
• Director of product art & sculpture, Fisher-Price Toys, East Aurora, NY 1989 – 2013 Provided strategic direction and leadership to Product Art Department staff. 
• Art director, WKBW-TV (ABC affiliate), Buffalo, NY 1982 - 1989 Responsible for all on-air graphics, printed materials, scenic design, commercial production video animation, and still photography. 
• Freelance illustration and design 1975 - 1982

Teaching experience 

• In-Service Creative Programs, Fisher-Price Toys 1990 - 2013 Developed and supervised annual series of hands-on workshops for product designers and art staff. Workshops included life drawing, sculpture, and ceramics. 
• Art Department Intern Program Supervisor, Fisher-Price Toys 1989 – 2013 Selected candidates, advised students, coordinated assignments, and completed final appraisals
• Guest lecturer, career consultant, Academy of Realist Art, Toronto, Ontario  
• Adjunct Professor in Illustration, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 1999 
• Adjunct Professor of Advertising Design, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY 1990

Collections

• Burchfield Penny Art Center, permeant collection, Buffalo NY
• Buffalo Naval & Servicemen’s Park
• Hospice Care in Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
• Cirque Du Soleil, Corporate Headquarters, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Fisher-Price, Corporate Headquarters, East Aurora, NewYork
• Private collectors throughout USA

Public commisions

• 2021 “La Terra Promessa”, (The promised Land). Commissioned by The Federation of Italian- American Societies of Western New York, Inc. Location, City of Buffalo’s Columbus/ Prospect Park.  Work in progress
• 2020   “Wedding of the Waters” The sculpture depicts Dewitt Clinton’s opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. Located at the Longshed, Canalside, Buffalo NY.
• The 155th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment Monument commissioned by the 155th New York Volunteer Infantry Reenactment Regiment to design and sculpt a monument commemorating Buffalo’s original 155th N.Y. Civil War regiment; completed 2002 and incorporated into Buffalo’s waterfront, Naval & Servicemen’s Park.