OPA Eastern Regional Most Original Award of Excellence
It feels great when a painting is accepted into a prestigious show, but receiving an award in such exhibition is beyond exciting!
OPA’s 2023 Eastern Regional Exhibition is being hosted by Beverly McNeil Gallery, located in Birmingham, Alabama, September 14 through October 13, 2023. I couldn’t attend opening reception and award ceremony in person, but watched a live presentation online. My Secret was awarded Most Original Award of Excellence by the juror, OPA Master Signature member Roger Dale Brown. In his award presentation he even compared it to a Zorn’s painting Emma and Mouche, the dog, spoke highly of my design, composition, brushwork — yay! Thank you. Really. I mean, it just feels so good to know I’m doing something right here. And to prove it, cherry on a cake — the painting is SOLD and will go to a collector’s home when the exhibition is over. I’m gonna miss this one!
Lisa Price, NOAPS Sponsor Director, sent me following email:
Hi Yelena,
Congratulations on your award! I was able to attend the OPA show and thought I would send you a pic of your beautiful winning painting hanging with your ribbon since you couldn’t be there. I always like someone to take a picture of my painting when I can’t attend. I’m so very happy of you! It was hanging in a great spot and is just wonderful! I hope to see you again next year at a show!
Congrats again!
Lisa
Thank you so much, Lisa!
I received many wonderful comments on social media after I posted the news, including one from Melanie Magee:
Congrats!! The photo doesn't do it justice. People clapped when he announced yours because everyone agreed…
Wow.
Juried Exhibitions August 2023 Sales and Awards
This August, I attended two National exhibitions, each accompanied by a plein air competition and wet wall sale.
American Impressionist Society held their 24th Annual National Juried Exhibition and wet wall sale at Somerville Manning Gallery in Greenville, Delaware, from August 3 trough September 2, 2023. My “Quest,” juried into this exhibition, was sold during the show. I was humbled to receive Honorable Mention award for my Wet Wall entry, and to witness this piece also being sold.
My next trip was to Alexandria, VA, where NOAPS 33rd "Best of America" International Juried Exhibition was held at Principle Gallery. Was excited to learn that my painting, “Cowspiracy,” was sold before official opening. Plein air event happening in conjunction with the exhibition was a blast, and one of my entries was awarded a Fourth Place award — yay!
Three paintings sold, two awards — what a month!
Cowspiracy SOLD before official opening of NOAPS 33rd "Best of America" International Juried Exhibition at Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA
Big Wheel Bike won Fourth Place in Plein Air Wet Paint Show and Sale held in conjunction with the NOAPS 33rd "Best of America" International Juried Exhibition, Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA
With my two other entries at Plein Air Wet Paint Show and Sale held in conjunction with the NOAPS 33rd "Best of America" International Juried Exhibition, Principle Gallery, Alexandria VA. Paintings available at Principle Gallery.
Next to my “Quest” — SOLD during American Impressionist Society 24th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Somerville Manning Gallery , Greenville, Delaware
American Impressionist Society Paint Out and Wet Wall Competition — Honorable Mention, and SOLD
International Art Magazine Feature
In March, Niki Browes, the editor of Artists & Illustrators magazine, reached out to me asking if I would be interested in being interviewed for an article for their June 2023 issue. A thousand times YES!
The article is a 6-page “How I Paint” feature with multiple images. The magazine also decided to put my painting on the cover. When I received my copies of the publication, I was also pleasantly surprised to see my another painting on the table of contents.
“Artists & Illustrators is the UK’s best-selling magazine for artists and art lovers, providing expert advice and inspiration in every issue. Working in every subject and mediums, Artists & Illustrators has been an indispensable guide to creativity for more than 30 years. What’s more our reach is unrivaled in the UK market and stands at:
• 13 UK editions
• 65,000 Print readership
• 10,000 Print subscribers
• 739,000 Digital reach
• 21,000 Email subscribers “
Copies of the magazine can be purchased here. Allow 8-12 weeks for shipping from UK.
Westmoreland Art Nationals 2023
In Westmoreland Art Nationals this year, I had 3 works selected by the jurors, Blair Martin Cahill (Ojai, California) and Jessica Roscio (Boston, MA). Together was on display for the first part of the show, held in Commissioners Hall at Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA. Urban Forest and Secret were selected for the second exhibition, held at the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes Park in Greensburg, PA. Sarah Hunter (Greensburg, Pennsylvania), who curated both shows, named Urban Forest for a Curator’s Choice award.
Next to award-winning Urban Forest
Westmoreland Art Nationals presents most beautiful awards! Monetary part not included in the picture.
Cheers to my cows - Secret was collecting compliments from guests at the opening reception June 24, 2023
Opening reception at Westmoreland County Community College May 20, 2023
Together on display at Westmoreland County Community College.
New Paintings now on display at Main Exhibit Gallery
New paintings delivered to Main Exhibit Gallery in Ligonier, PA on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
Attending Anna Rose Bain Workshop
I would like to extend huge thanks to Oil Painters of America for awarding me with the 2022 Shirl Smithson Memorial Scholarship. Four $500 scholarships appropriately named after its founding member, Shirl Smithson, are awarded each year, and must be used to attend a workshop or class in representational oil painting. After I received the award letter, I immediately started looking for a portrait workshop to attend and was beyond excited when found a perfect one for my — a three-day Painting Children in Oil taught by one of my favorite artists, Anna Rose Bain, in Rochester, NY, perfectly drivable from Pittsburgh. I signed up for this October workshop in January and was glad I did — soon enough it was completely sold out.
The workshop did not disappoint! It was everything I was hoping for and much more. Rochester Art Club is a wonderful place run by great people — warm, welcoming, creative and fun. I felt immediately at home.
Anna is an absolutely delightful instructor, articulate, knowledgeable, and a super sweet person.
Anna Rose Bain during her demo.
My 14”x11” oil painting completed during the workshop.
Thank you Anna!
In the Shows
This year, Vanity Fair was juried into the OPA 2022 Eastern Regional hosted by James R. Ross Fine Art in Indianapolis, IN, while Lovers traveled to Jackson, WY, for the NOAPS Best of America 2022.
Best in Show from Westmoreland Art Nationals
Best squirrels in show. Thank you Westmoreland Art Nationals Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival !
2022 OPA National Convention
As expected, the OPA National Convention in Steamboat Springs Co. was a blast! Wonderful time catching up with old friends, making new friends, painting, learning, and enjoying one of the most amazing scenery on Earth. No awards won this year, but acquired two fabulous pieces for my own little collection — a Wet Paint Award of Excellence winner, Aspen Dance with Wildflowers by Kathy Anderson, and small Peonies by a Gold Medal Award winner, Anna Rose Bain.
Alpacas and "Vanity Fair"
It was my second time visiting Long Acres Alpaca Farm near Mercersburg, PA. Love this place! Once again, cuteness and softness overload, hundreds of reference photos, and a new painting as a result.
Vanity Fair, 2022, oil, 30”x12”
First Place in Wet Paint NOAPS Small Works 2022
Great time in Birmingham, AL, with the NOAPS 2022 Best of America Small Works National Juried Exhibition hosted by Beverly McNeil Gallery! My “Dog Walk” on display, and First Place in Wet Paint Competition!
Magazine Article
Nice article in December issue of North Hills Monthly. Many thanks to writer Shari Berg for contacting me. Read online here: https://www.nhmmag.com/post/portraits-and-photos-unique-fun-way-to-pay-tribute-to-pets.
In the Shows
Happy to report that my paintings have been selected for two major exhibitions — NOAPS Best of America 2021 and OPA 2021 Eastern Regional Exhibition.
“Why Are You Still Home?” will be on display at Dana Gallery in Missoula, MT, September 10 - October 9, 2021.
Four Musketeers will travel to ArtCenter Manatee in Bradenton, FL, September 28 - October 22.
I’m super excited to be a part of these two highly competitive and prestigious exhibitions!
Back from Ann Arbor
Last week was my first ever art festival outside of Pittsburgh. Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original is rated one of the top art shows in the country. I applied and was invited in 2019. After 2020 show was canceled, the invitations were automatically extended to 2021. It was indeed a fun experience. The show is well organized, friendly, setup made easy.
Quite a few paintings have found forever homes, including two latest pieces, Debate and Quest. Thank you to everyone who purchased my art! I really appreciate your support.
Debate, 18”x24” oil on linen
Quest, 11”x14” oil on canvas panel
Another Painting Award from WAN
Go goats — my Four Musketeers received Paining Award in second part of Westmoreland Art Nationals, Arts and Heritage Festival Exhibit. The awards were announces on June 26, 2021, live on Facebook. Both parts of WAN were virtual again this year — I’m very much looking forward to a live exhibit in 2022!
Four Musketeers, oil on linen, 12”x30”
Painting Award
Morning Glory, 12” x 30”, Oil on Linen
Happy to report that my Morning Glory received a Painting Award at Westmoreland Art Nationals Juried Fine Art & Photography Exhibit, WCCC Show. Many thanks to juror Nick Silvis for this honor! The exhibit is virtual once again this year. Two other paintings are also included in this show, Conspirators and Four Musketeers.
Conspirators, 12” x 30”, Oil on Linen
Four Musketeers, 12” x 30”, Oil on Linen
More than 150 works of art selected for the show can be viewed at Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival’s Facebook page. People’s Choice Award will be selected by the number of “Likes” for a piece of artwork. Make sure to tell your family and friends to view the exhibit and “Like” their favorite before June 21, 2021.