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.