Monte Azul Center for the Arts
Experts at Monte Azul
Our experts are available to artists who come to explore new techniques or who require assistance in realizing their projects. Resident artists at Monte Azul may choose to contract an expert in Printmaking, Fiber & Paper making, and Ceramics.
Standard packages $900 are for three (3) days of private sessions, four (4) hours daily, including most materials. Some materials may call for additional costs.
Master Printmaker
Salomón Isaac Cháves Badilla
Cháves is an expert on contemporary and historical printing techniques, having developed and patented through the Univerity of Costa Rica with research performed in Spain and Morocco, the technique of using leather as an engraving surface called corium engraving.
For artists exploring printing techniques, he is available as a Master Printer in any number of techniques and actively recommends collagraph and woodblock for residencies. The immediacy of results with collagraph grants artists the opportunity to use natural materials found in the rainforest at Monte Azul. While onsite, Cháves also recommends woodblock due to the opportunity of working on readily available local tropical hardwoods, such as pochote, coffee wood, guava, among others, that offer a superior working surface and durability.
Professional positions
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Professor of Print Design and Basic Design. Department of Fine Arts, University of Costa Rica
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Researcher II Art Research Institute
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Master Printer, Conservator, and Principal. Arenal Studio, San José, Costa Rica
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Master Printer, Monte Azul Center for the Arts, Costa Rica
Academic Training
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PhD Fine Arts from the Complutense University of Madrid. Spain.
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Certified Conservator, School of Art and Antiques, Madrid. Spain.
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BA Educational Sciences with an Emphasis in Teaching, State Distance University, San José, Costa Rica.
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BA Fine Arts Engraving. University of Costa Rica, San José.