Author: Yelena Shabrova

Juried into Water Media Spring Juried Show at OSA

Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
Memories of Utah - pen and ink on Bristol paper, 9" x 12"
Memories of Utah – pen and ink on Bristol paper, 9″ x 12″
Yelena Shabrova ~ On the Racetrack III - pen and ink on drawing paper, 11.5" x 8.5"
On the Racetrack III – pen and ink on drawing paper, 11.5″ x 8.5″

My two drawing have been juried into the latest art show at the Oregon Society of Artists. I know, neither one looks like it should be in this kind of a show, but any media that could be diluted with water was eligible, and my ink was 🙂

The show can be appreciated in person and online at https://www.osagallery.org/water-media-juried, whatever is more convenient to you!

Now, looking at all the amazing art in this show online, I feel like maybe I should pick up a brush and get lost in many shades of black ink again!

The online version of the show can be found here: https://www.osagallery.org/water-media-juried

Show dates:
March 4 – 24, 2021

Gallery location: 2185 SW Park Place, Portland, Oregon 97205 (directions)
Open: Monday – Friday, 1 – 4 p.m.

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    Colored Pencil Bouquet

    Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
    Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth Polycolor pencils, freshly packed at I’ve Been Framed

    Excuse me while I gloat real quick over here. These are 287 lightly used Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth Polycolor pencils I’ve got today from the ever awesome I’ve Been Framed store in East Portland (https://www.ivebeenframedpdx.com/, @ivebnframed), lovingly packed and adorned with a ribbon. Prairie, the store owner, is this wonderful, and the tin was free because reasons. It’s literally a colored pencil bouquet. The cost per pencil is a small fraction of a brand new one practically anywhere, so it’s a birthday and a Christmas rolled into one and such an awesome hoard that I still cant’ believe my luck.

    It started at a very reasonable $1/pencil public announcement, then I found out nobody has snatched the whole lot yet which is unbelievable as I am always late to the party, then because I was taking everything the price became a joke. I tried to give the store more money. They declined on the grounds of me being a loyal customer. Go figure. Deep down I feel like I’ve committed a daylight robbery, but my grabby hands are so very happy!

      End of Day series – how it was created

      Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

      “End of Day” is a short series of three 6″ x 6″ drawings on clear gessoed wood created for the 6x6x6 Community Art Show at the Alberta Street Gallery. As it often happens, small format lends itself nicely to experiments, and the main thing I wanted to find out here was how well multiple layers of colored pencil on a primed wooden panel would accept ink.

      The answer is: not really well if it is a felt tip pen, better if the tip is a soft brush, but an actual brush dipped into India ink is the easiest way. Really, should’ve used a brush or at least a brush pen from the beginning, but I wanted to exhaust all available pen options first. And no, this is not an exaggeration: I went through dozens of different pen brands before one finally sort of worked.

      It may be that I didn’t sand the clear gesso enough and that made the texture get in the way of pens. I am going to try the same combination of colored pencils and black pen on clear wood to be sure.

        New Trees for the 6x6x6 art show at the Alberta Street Gallery

        Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
        Drawing of a bare tree silhouette against sunset skies with light clouds and pastel colors
        End of Day I ~ colored pencil and black ink on cradled wood panel, 6″ x 6″
        Drawing of a bare tree silhouette against sunset skies with light clouds and pastel colors
        End of Day II ~ colored pencil and black ink on cradled wood panel, 6″ x 6″
        Drawing of a bare tree silhouette against sunset skies with light clouds and pastel colors
        End of Day III ~ colored pencil and black ink on cradled wood panel, 6″ x 6″ x

        Dropped my new little trees at the Alberta Street Gallery today. They will be in the 6x6x6 Community Art Show along with many other 2D and 3D artworks by talented local artists.

        Come and enjoy the show if you are in or close enough to the East Portland, there will be many little treasures to see and maybe take something home with you!

        Show dates:
        March 1 – 25, 2021

        Gallery location: 1829 NE Alberta Street, Portland, Oregon (directions)
        Open: daily, 11 am – 7 pm

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          New Rhythms at Art Elements Gallery

          Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

          Susan Greenbaum’s abstracts and Don and Cindy Hoskisson’s pottery at Art Elements Gallery in Newberg. Amazing show. I kept coming back to some pieces again and again, and it made up for the entire week that consisted of one Monday after another. Art fixes almost everything.

            Dream Beyond COVID Exhibition

            Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

            Mixed media artwork, tinted pieces of tracing paper with pen an black ink drawings of flying birds, a bare tree, and a landscape placed on a paper collage made with old book pages and torn tissue paper of warm earthy and green colors

            Mixed media artwork, tinted pieces of tracing paper with pen an black ink drawings of leaves, bare a tree, and mountains placed on a paper collage made with old book pages and torn tissue paper of warm earthy and green colors

            “Piecing It All Together” I and II have been juried into the “Dream Beyond COVID Exhibition” organized by the Wilsonville Arts & Culture Council. The exhibition will be held online at https://www.wilsonvillearts.org/current-exhibition.

            All artworks are available for sale at https://www.wilsonvillearts.org/shop.

            It’s a very nice collection of local art, see if something speaks to you!

              “On the Way III” in the “Portraits, Figures, and Selfies” show

              Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
              A woman walking while looking into her purse, painted from the back, against an abstract background that resembles a path
              On the Way III ~ oil pastel on colored paper, 8″ x 10″

              “On the Way III” will be a part of the “Portraits, Figures, and Selfies” art show in the Oregon Society of Artists gallery.

              The show will be held both in the gallery and online for those who don’t feel comfortable getting out during the pandemic.

              Show dates:
              February 4 – February 24, 2021 (February 4 – April 1 online)

              Gallery location: 2185 SW Park Place, Portland, Oregon 97205 (directions)
              Open: Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday 1 – 4 pm

              Stop by if you can, either in person or virtually!

              Updated February 3rd, 2021

              Online show is now up at https://www.osagallery.org/portrait-show

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                Bye 2020! at the Blind Insect Multicultural Art Gallery & Shop

                Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                Yelena Shabrova ~ Gathering II ~ pen and ink on drawing paper, 4" x 6"Yelena Shabrova ~ Gathering III ~ pen and ink on drawing paper, 6" x 4"

                So happy that “Gathering II” and “Gathering III” have been selected for the Bye 2020! exhibition at Blind Insect Gallery! The show will be up December 11th, 2020 – Friday, January 15th, 2021. Blind Insect is an amazing little gallery on Alberta Street, Portland, it’s always full of wonderful artsy gems, and I can’t wait to see what the show will look like.

                Show dates:
                December 10, 2020 – January 15, 2021

                Gallery location: 2841 NE Alberta St, Portland OR 97211 (directions)
                Open: Wednesday – Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm

                There are so many amazing small artworks by 36 local and national artists, come enjoy them!

                Visit Online Store for Bye 2020!




                  All three of “Delicate Beginnings” series sold

                  Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                  Delicate Beginnings I, mixed media drawing by Yelena Shabrova
                  Delicate Beginning I ~ mixed media, 5″ x 5″
                  Delicate Beginnings II, mixed media drawing by Yelena Shabrova
                  Delicate Beginning II ~ mixed media, 5″ x 5″
                  Delicate Beginnings III, mixed media drawing by Yelena Shabrova
                  Delicate Beginning III ~ mixed media, 5″ x 5″

                  The series of foals that I’ve created for the Art for the Heart show has been sold. The show benefited The Arts Center in Corvallis, OR.

                  A lovely lady bought all three as a gift for a former endurance rider who has her own horses. Happy to contribute and glad that all three drawings will stay together.

                    Last Traces of Fog – sold at #TAE20

                    Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                    Last Traces of Fog ~ colored pencils and ink, 12 x 16 cm

                    My little drawing has been sold at the Twitter Art Exhibit’s opening night in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The wonderful curator for #TAE20, Debanjana Bhattacharjee, gave it a permanent happy home!

                    The 10th Twitter Art Exhibit that this year is helping Horry County Disabilities & Special Needs. Watch the opening ceremony here: https://www.twitterartexhibit.org/live.

                    It’s always takes a lot of work to organize a big art show, but this year is extra challenging because of the pandemic and many uncertainties that came with it. I am very grateful for everyone who volunteered their time and talent to help with #TAE20.

                    The 2021 call for artists just opened, and a new cycle of creating and helping has began! I can’t wait to be a part of it again.

                      Art for the Heart 8×8 Gallery 2020

                      Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                      Delicate Beginnings I, mixed media drawing by Yelena Shabrova
                      Delicate Beginning I ~ mixed media, 5″ x 5″
                      Delicate Beginnings II, mixed media drawing by Yelena Shabrova
                      Delicate Beginning II ~ mixed media, 5″ x 5″
                      Delicate Beginnings III, mixed media drawing by Yelena Shabrova
                      Delicate Beginning III ~ mixed media, 5″ x 5″

                      Dropped my contribution to the Art Gallery for Art for the Heart that benefits Center for the Arts in Corvallis. I am not sure if the show will be an actual physical one or online only like many others. I haven’t been to the place since way before the pandemic, and it was so nice to walk in and enjoy the current show and new things in their gift shop. It was almost normal. Almost.

                      Three 5” x 5” drawings make the “Delicate Beginnings” little series. It would be four, but the forth one became a casualty of forgetting to cover the ink drawing with final fixative before attempting to mount it on top of the tissue paper with pastels and powdered bone. It will require heavy touch-up and maybe adding some color to the foal. I am not sure about color yet, but it’s a possibility. Maybe all four would benefit from some color.

                      More details about the show: https://theartscenter.net/call-for-artists-8×8-art-gallery-for-art-for-the-heart/

                      Updated September 25th, 2020

                      The Art for the Heart 8×8 Gallery is going up in the Corrine Woodman Gallery tomorrow.

                      The show will be up from September 26th till October 8th, 2020.
                      The current hours of The Arts Center are Thursday – Saturday, 12 pm – 5 pm.

                      Masks and Social Distancing Required

                      Virtual Reception
                      The 8×8 Gallery reception will be held on October 1, 2020 at 6 pm online. It will be the first chance to purchase any artwork in this gallery.
                      Register for Art for the Heart by clicking here. Registration is free. Also visit The Arts Center’s Facebook page by clicking here for more info.

                        2020 BAM! Virtual Show & Sale

                        Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                        Yelena Shabrova ~ Improbable Dreams of a Tree ~ colored pencil on primed wood panel, 12" x 12"
                        Improbable Dreams of a Tree ~ colored pencil on primed wood panel, 12″ x 12″

                        “Improbable Dreams of a Tree” has been juried into the 2020 BAM! Virtual Show & Sale. COVID-19 pushed this one online too, and it’s good news considering that it could be just canceled.

                        There were 544 submissions this year, and the show has been made bigger than usual because there are no physical space constrains. I am so excited to see others’ creations, even though it will not be an in person experience!

                        The show will run for the entire month of October, 1-31, 2020.

                          Drawing Skin with ONLY 5 Colored Pencils

                          Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                          I love drawing with limited palette. It’s a great exercise in coming up with colors for which I don’t have a pencil. It eliminates the agony of going through a hundred and a half colored pencils trying to figure out which ones to layer (and in which order!) to get what I want. And as a bonus, it feels a bit like doing magic.

                          Here, Kirsty Partridge shows how to approach one of the most complex subjects, human skin, with just a few carefully selected colored pencils.

                            Digital collage with a blackbird

                            Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                            Digital collage with a blackbird ~ ArtFlow and Painter (both are Android drawing apps) and Photoshop
                            Digital collage with a blackbird ~ ArtFlow and Painter (both are Android drawing apps) and Photoshop

                            Digital collage with a blackbird, a joint effort of ArtFlow and Painter (both are Android drawing apps) and Photoshop. The bird took forever and some to get right. I could draw it on paper times faster, but somehow “digital” translated into “quick” in my mind. It’s not quick, at least not if you were born way before computers, tablets, and digital pens.

                              6 x 6 x 6 show at the Alberta Street Gallery closed

                              Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                              Although the show was affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Alberta Street Gallery managed to sell 29 small artworks. One of them was my “Blossoms I.”

                              photo of the original artwork, Blossoms 1, mixed media (pen and ink on tissue paper collage) on primed MDF board, 6" x 6", by Yelena Shabrova
                              Blossoms I ~ mixed media (pen and ink on tissue paper collage) on primed MDF board, 6″ x 6″

                              I am sure there would be more happy visitors and buyers if things were normal. The gallery is going to do the show again next year, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.

                              Also on social media

                                Last Traces of Fog – my 12 x 16 cm contribution to #TAE20

                                Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                                Last Traces of Fog ~ colored pencils and ink, 12 x 16 cm

                                Got a word yesterday that my 12 x 16 cm drawing made it to the 10th Twitter Art Exhibit that this year is helping Horry County Disabilities & Special Needs.

                                The show was going to be held in Myrtle Beach, SC but is now in limbo due to the COVID-19 outbreak. I do hope that there still be an option to buy the cards online like in previous years, no matter what the fate of the live show. Then we still do good and all is as well as it can be.

                                Every volunteer who helped with the show is very much appreciated, as are many artists who sent in their little creations.

                                Also on social media

                                https://twitter.com/twitrartexhibit/status/1239552836016451587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

                                  Sidestreet Arts Gallery

                                  Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                                    2020 SWA Spring Show & Sale

                                    Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                                    Updated on March 17, 2020: Due to the COVID-19 emergency and the closing of the Water Resources Center through the end of April, the SWA 2020 Spring Show is canceled.

                                    Image of Yelena Shabrova's colored pencil drawing on a cradled wood panel titled "Ravishing", 12" x 12"
                                    Ravishing ~ Caran d’Ache Pablo colored pencil on American Easel cradled wood panel, 12″ x 12″
                                    Yelena Shabrova ~ Improbable Dreams of a Tree ~ colored pencil on primed wood panel, 12" x 12"
                                    Improbable Dreams of a Tree ~ colored pencil on primed wood panel, 12″ x 12″

                                    “Ravishing” and “Improbable Dreams of a Tree” will be a part of the 2020 SWA Spring Show & Sale in Vancouver, WA.

                                    Show dates:
                                    Thursday, April 30, 11 am – 5 pm
                                    Friday, May 1, 12 pm – 8 pm
                                    Saturday, May 2, 12 pm – 8 pm. Reception 5 pm – 7 pm
                                    Sunday May 3, 12 pm – 3 pm

                                    Show location: Vancouver Water Resource Center / 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA (directions)

                                    More information on the Society of Washington Artists’ website: https://www.swavancouver.com/

                                    I will be at the reception and may come earlier to pick up my art on Sunday. If you can attend, it will be my pleasure to meet you.

                                      New Blossoms for the 6 x 6 x 6 show at the Alberta Street Gallery

                                      Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                                      Blossoms I ~ mixed media (pen and ink on tissue paper collage) on primed MDF board, 6" x 6" ~ Yelena Shabrova
                                      Blossoms I ~ mixed media (pen and ink on tissue paper collage) on primed MDF board, 6″ x 6″
                                      photo of the original artwork, Blossoms 2, mixed media (pen and ink on tissue paper collage) on primed MDF board, 6" x 6", by Yelena Shabrova
                                      Blossoms II ~ mixed media (pen and ink on tissue paper collage) on primed MDF board, 6″ x 6″

                                      These two new artworks were delivered yesterday to the 6 x 6 x 6 art show at the Alberta Street Gallery. Artists were free to create whatever they wanted as long as their art fit within 6″ x 6″ x 6″, and my choice was to do something related to spring that was all around me already.

                                      I’ve spent more time experimenting with background collages than actually drawing and had to stop experiments at some point while I still had time to finish the pieces. It was fun, and I now have notes to continue playing with new ideas as time permits.

                                      The Alberta Street Gallery is located at 1829 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR (directions)

                                      The show is open March 1-22, 2020, Monday – Friday 11 am – 7 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 9 pm, Sundays 9 am – 5 pm.

                                      If you can, stop by for the opening reception on March 1st.

                                      See show details on Facebook.

                                      Also on social media

                                        Holiday Art Show & Sale 2019

                                        Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                                        The first weekend of December means the annual Holiday Art Show & Sale with the Three Rivers Artists Guild! I will have the same booth #32 as before, and it will be full of drawings and jewelry.

                                        Show runs for only two days: December 7 from 9 am till 4 pm and December 8 from 10 am till 4 pm.

                                        Address: Pioneer Community Center, 615 5th St, Oregon City

                                        This will be my last show for the year. If you have time, stop by to see great local art and talk to those who create it!

                                        postcard for the 2019 Holiday Art Show & Sale 2019 at the Pioneer Community Center, Oregon City

                                        Updated on December 5th, 2019

                                        The Holiday Art Show & Sale t the Pioneer Community Center in Oregon City will open in just two short days. Have a look at what will be there!

                                          Holiday Boutique at Art on Broadway

                                          Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                                          Collage of drawings and jewelry photos that Yelena Shabrova will have in the Holiday Boutique show

                                          These are some of drawings and jewelry that I will have in the annual Holiday Boutique show at Art on Broadway. The guest show accompanies the “In a Holiday Mood” show for all gallery members.

                                          Both shows run from November 5 till December 24, 2019.

                                          I will be there for the reception on November 8, 5 – 7 pm. Come to enjoy great giftable art, good wine, apple cider, and nibbles!

                                          Art on Broadway is located at 12570 SW Broadway, Beaverton, OR (directions)

                                          Updated on November 9, 2019

                                            200 for under $200 fundraiser show at the Oregon Society of Artists

                                            Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                                            Image of Yelena Shabrova's colored pencil drawing on a cradled wood panel titled "Ravishing", 12" x 12"
                                            Ravishing ~ Caran d’Ache Pablo colored pencil on American Easel cradled wood panel, 12″ x 12″

                                            Dropped my new drawing, “Ravishing,” at the Oregon Society of Artists today. It will be a part of the annual “200 for Under $200″ art show. 125 participating artists from the Portland area and beyond, over 200 12″ x 12” canvases and cradled boards priced at or below $200. The opening reception is on November 1st, 6-9 pm. Come if you can!

                                            The show is open from November 1st to December 5th, 2019, Monday – Saturday, 1 – 4 pm.

                                            Oregon Society of Artists is located at 2185 SW Park Pl, Portland, Oregon 97205 (directions)

                                            See more show details on Facebook

                                            Updated on November 1st, 2019

                                              Corvallis Fall Festival 2019

                                              Posted on by Yelena Shabrova
                                              photo of a metal praying mantis by Yan Beyer

                                              My insect themed garden sculpture collection is gradually expanding for no good reason. I do not collect this kind of art and not in love with insects beyond appreciating them in general. Still, two years ago a metal dragonfly by Doug Moore practically inserted itself into my hand, then my neighbor gifted me with a ladybug kindness stone, and this weekend the odd collection expanded with a praying mantis by Ian Beyer that I got at the Corvallis Fall Festival.

                                              The weather seems to always challenge artists at this event, but this year it took the cake with heavy rains and even hail. As I walked through the show, part of me really enjoyed the art, but another part kept whispering “thank goodness I am not doing outdoor shows anymore.”

                                              I do so appreciate every artist who does this, both those I know personally, saw before, or met for the first time ever. You are all amazing, resilient, and very motivated people.

                                                Brenda Scott at The Spiral Gallery Co-op

                                                Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                                                  Blind Insect Gallery

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                                                    J. Pepin Art Gallery

                                                    Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                                                      Art in the Pearl 2019

                                                      Posted on by Yelena Shabrova