Gathering III (rocks in pen and ink, 6″ x 4″) – in progress

Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

    Updated: October 26, 2014

    It’s finished. I like how it turned out more than the first two pieces in the series.

    The original ($80.00) and prints are available in my online shop as a part of the “Pen and ink” collection.

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

    Updated: October 17, 2014

    So most of my ideas are not suitable for small shapes and have to be put aside for now. I think there is a larger rocky piece in my feature; meanwhile this one continues to take shape.

    Gathering III - rocks in pen and ink, 6" x 4" - in progress

    Updated: October 2, 2014

    I have more ideas for rock textures that are going to fit into this small piece, and not all of them are going to play nicely together. Decisions – they are very time consuming.

    Gathering III - rocks in pen and ink, 6" x 4" - in progress

    Original post: September 9, 2014

    For the third piece in the “Gathering” series I decided to start with the horses instead of smaller rocks. Apparently it is easier to complete more critical parts of the drawing first than worry about ruining the entire thing if something in the horse does not look right. Who knew! So, outlines are done, one foal is completed but may need some touch-ups when I get to its rock, the other one is not giving me problems so far.

    Gathering III - rocks in pen and ink, 6" x 4" - in progress

    You can see the first two drawings in the series here and here.

    Explorer goes to print

    Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

      Yelena Shabrova ~ Explorer ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8" x 10" (raccoon)
      Explorer ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8″ x 10″

      Just learned that one of my pieces in the Bay Area Wildlife art show, Explorer, was featured in The Epoch Times newspaper. Nice surprise. Thanks Teresa Silvestri for letting me know!

      The Epoch Times, October 2-8, 2014 (PDF)

      The original ($190.00), greeting cards, and prints are available in my online shop as a part of the “Mixed Media” collection.

      Newborn (foal head in colored pencil, 11″ x 14″)

      Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

        Updated: September 12, 2014

        Newborn won the Best Realism Award at the Fall Festival Art Show

        Updated: August 29, 2014

        And it’s done! I don’t think there is anything to add to it, but if I were to do this piece all over again I would approach it completely differently. It was a nice detour from fully realistic colors and a few purely technique-related things I usually use.

        Yelena Shabrova ~ Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14", horse portrait
        Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11″ x 14″

        The original ($980.00), greeting cards, and prints are available in my online shop as a part of the “Colored Pencil” collection.

        Updated: June 2, 2014

        He looks more like a living creature now and almost ready for darks to be added. The white stripe will need some gentle work first.

        Yelena Shabrova ~ Newborn, drawing of a foal head in progress ~ Derwent colored pencils on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14"

        Updated: April 21, 2014

        Well, it’s been a while since I started this portrait, several different small projects got in the way, but finally I am back to the little foal.

        In the end, he won’t be nearly as colorful as right now (or at least I hope for that), but it will be interesting to see what bright violet and yellows will be able to add to regular coat colors.

        Yelena Shabrova - Newborn, drawing of a foal head in progress - Derwent colored pencils on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14"

        Original post: Jan 18, 2014

        I think it’s been a terrible while since I drew a horse that fits on piece of paper bigger that 4″ x 6″. Time to change that, so here’s the beginning of a very young foal’s head. Because for some reason I chose rough Bienfang watercolor paper, it may take a while to build up colors in this one. And it’s not just rough, it’s somewhat slippery too. But we will see. So far it was mostly working on the background to get a better feel of the paper that is new to me before adding much detail to the foal.

        Newborn, drawing in progress - Derwent colored pencils on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14"

        Fall Festival Art Show at the Quinlan Center

        Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

          I will have several artworks in this show including the newest one:

          Yelena Shabrova ~ Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14", horse portrait
          Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11″ x 14″

          Reception: Friday, September 12, 2014 – 7 PM

          Show: Saturday, September 13, 2014 – 10 AM to 5 PM

          Location: Cupertino Room, Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N.Stelling Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014

          I will be sitting in the FALC booth (M01) outside of the Quinlan Center with my fellow artists the entire Saturday and will be glad to chat with my old and new friends.

          The exhibit is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cupertino and Fine Arts League of Cupertino.

          Judge: Dr. Nancy Canter, Dean Creative Arts, De Anza College

          2014 Bay Area Wildlife Exhibit at Filoli

          Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

            I will have three small pieces on display at Filoli from Tuesday, September 9 through Sunday, October 26, 2014:

            Yelena Shabrova ~ Explorer ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8" x 10" (raccoon)
            Explorer ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8″ x 10″
            Yelena Shabrova ~ Muncher ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8" x 10" (original drawing of a squirrel)
            Muncher – mixed media on canvas panel, 8″ x 10″
            Yelena Shabrova ~ Stranger ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8" x 10" (original drawing of an owl)
            Stranger ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8″ x 10″

            The exhibit will be held in the gallery at the Visitor and Education Center of Filoli. The address is 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, California 94062

            Open: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am–3:30 pm (last admission 2:30 pm), Sunday 11:00 am–3:30 pm (last admission 2:30 pm)

            General Admission: Adults $18 / Seniors $15 (65 & older) / Children $8 (ages 5–17)

            Meet the Artist’s Weekend: October 11 – 12. Hope to see you there!

            “Truckee River” earned the 1st place at the Campbell Artists’ Guild 16th Annual Art Show

            Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

              “Truckee River” earned the 1st place at the Campbell Artists’ Guild 16th Annual Art Show in the Drawing category.

              Yelena Shabrova ~ Truckee River ~ colored pencil on colored paper, 9" x 6"
              Truckee River ~ colored pencil on colored paper, 9″ x 6″

              “This is a little gem. I like the composition very much, focusing as it does on a small pocket of water off the Truckee River. The colors are delicate and exquisite showing good variation and are very convincing.” ~ Jeff Bramschreiber, juror

              We had a wonderful reception today, thank you everybody who made it to the Rose Shenson Gallery.

              The show will stay open till August 31 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 12 pm – 4 pm at the Triton Museum of Art, 1505 Warburton Ave, Santa Clara, California. Stop by if you are in the area, there is a lot of wonderful art to see.

              Summer Exhibit at the San Jose Bridge Club 2014

              Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                “Plum Blossoms at Los Gatos Creek Park” and “On the Way III” were accepted into the Summer Exhibit at the San Jose Bridge Center 2014 that will be held from July 29 till October 28, 2014.

                Yelena Shabrova ~ Plum Blossoms in Los Gatos Creek Park ~ Prismacolor colored pencil on Bristol paper
                Plum Blossoms in Los Gatos Creek Park ~ Prismacolor colored pencil on Bristol paper
                Yelena Shabrova ~ On the Way I ~ Faber-Castell oil pastel on Strathmore colored paper, 8" x 10"
                On the Way I ~ Faber-Castell oil pastel on Strathmore colored paper, 8″ x 10″

                There will be no reception for this show.

                The San Jose Bridge Center is located at 1300 White Oak, Suite 103, Campbell, CA.

                Campbell Artists’ Guild 16th Annual Art Show

                Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                  A few of my works will be on display at the Rose Shenson Gallery of the Triton Museum of Art:

                  Yelena Shabrova ~ Changing Colors ~ pastel pencil on drawing paper, 6" x 4"
                  Changing Colors ~ pastel pencil on drawing paper, 6″ x 4″
                  Yelena Shabrova ~ Sleepy Creek ~ graphite pencil on drawing paper, 6" x 4"
                  Sleepy Creek ~ graphite pencil on drawing paper, 6″ x 4″
                  Yelena Shabrova ~ The Old Oak ~ charcoal on drawing paper, 4" x 6"
                  The Old Oak ~ charcoal on drawing paper, 4″ x 6″
                  Yelena Shabrova ~ Truckee River ~ colored pencil on colored paper, 9" x 6"
                  Truckee River ~ colored pencil on colored paper, 9″ x 6″

                  The show will be open August 1-31 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 12 pm – 4 pm.

                  Reception is on Sunday, August 3, 1:30-3:30 p.m. There will be festive music, a plethora of delicious finger food and libations, and an opportunity to meet many talented artists.

                  The Rose Shenson Gallery is located behind the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, 1505 Warburton Avenue.

                  Stranger

                  Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                    Yelena Shabrova ~ Stranger ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8" x 10" (original drawing of an owl)
                    Stranger ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8″ x 10″

                    I was asked more than once why I don’t draw owls, and given the fact that they are my next favorite animals after horses it really begs the question. My explanation so far was that it’s far easier to obtain my own horse reference which is always preferred over free and inexpensive options that can be used by somebody else too.

                    However, the time keeps marching by, and my own supply of owl photos stays at zero. I do see owls every now and then which is very nice, but the lighting conditions are such that even the best camera in the world will not help my shaky coffee hands to make even a semi-decent shot. So I finally looked for other options.

                    So now I have my very own owl peaking out of a crumbling wall. Thank you, Lynton Bolton, for a great reference photo.

                    An observation: if an owl has light, fluffy feathers they will do everything they can to turn out a mess. They observe no rules, no order, nothing of what fur usually does.

                    The original ($190.00), greeting cards, and prints are available in my online shop as a part of the “Mixed Media” collection.

                    Muncher

                    Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                      Yelena Shabrova ~ Muncher ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8" x 10" (original drawing of a squirrel)
                      Muncher – mixed media on canvas panel, 8″ x 10″

                      Squirrels are our little chatty neighbors who dig out everything I ever tried to plant in the patio. Even garlic is not safe with them. I would never believe that a squirrel can be interested in garlic cloves if I hadn’t seen with my own eyes how a squirrel hurries up a tree with a freshly dug-out clove in his teeth.

                      I suspect that at least some odd grasses, bushes, and trees that grow all by themselves are actually squirrels’ work. We never planted any of that, and nothing similar grows nearby. It has to come from what squirrels hide around the patio.

                      The original ($190.00), greeting cards, and prints are available in my online shop as a part of the “Mixed Media” collection.

                      Furry explorer

                      Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                        Yelena Shabrova ~ Explorer ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8" x 10" (raccoon)
                        Explorer ~ mixed media on canvas panel, 8″ x 10″

                        Raccoons are adorable as long as you do not stand between them and what they think is their food or keep a healthy distance from them in general. I imagine gardeners don’t appreciate living side by side with them, but not being one I enjoy every encounter, be it in the wilderness or in the city.

                        This is a Russian raccoon who looks exactly as his American relatives and can be just as feisty. I met him and his family in the Moscow Zoo more than a decade ago.

                        The original ($190.00), greeting cards, and prints are available in my online shop as a part of the “Mixed Media” collection.

                        MidSummer Art Festival at the Triton Museum of Art on 6/28/14

                        Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                          MidSummer Art Festival poster

                          Join me and over 80 talented artists and enjoy a day of art at the Sculpture Garden and Redwoods behind the Triton Museum.
 There will be art demos and hands-on art activities for children and their families throughout the day.

                          Saturday, June 28, 2014, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

                          Free admission and parking.

                          Food Trucks:

                          Grilled Cheese Bandits – 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

                          ZoomCaffe – 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

                          Scoops – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

                          Live Music:

                          Tim Green – 10:00 a.m. to noon

                          Rudy Ramos – noon to 2:00 p.m.

                          Goldentones – 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.



                          A portion of the proceeds benefit the Triton Museum of Art.

                          Triton Museum of Art is located at 1505 Warburton Ave, Santa Clara, CA

                          A sketch a day: striped sunset

                          Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                            Yelena Shabrova ~ A sketch a day: striped sunset ~ ink and Koh-I-Noor oil chalks, 6" x 4"
                            A sketch a day: striped sunset ~ ink and Koh-I-Noor oil chalks, 6″ x 4″

                            I had a different look and feel in mind when I started this sketch, and to add to that I grabbed some odd oil chalks (not even sure what that might be, it feels like something between a wax based colored pencil and an oil pastel stick) instead of normal pastels for coloring. The result is a complete accident.

                            Ghostly white horse

                            Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                              Yelena Shabrova ~ Ghostly White ~ white Prismacolor colored pencil on canvas board, 5" x 7"
                              Ghostly White – white Prismacolor colored pencil on canvas board, 5″ x 7″

                              University Art carries something I never saw before: a canvas mounted on a cardboard. 5″ x 7″ pieces are sold unprotected, unlike canvases and real sturdy canvas boards. They come in white and black versions. Naturally, I had to buy both to see what can be done with them.

                              This white horse was done on a black one. Even though the canvas accepts many layers of color the result is not purely white (hence the “ghostly” reference). Alas, colored pencils are not completely opaque.

                              The original drawing found a new home at the Midsummer Art Festival 2014, but greeting cards, and prints are available in my online shop as a part of the “Colored Pencil” collection.

                              A sketch a day: walking horse

                              Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                                Yelena Shabrova ~ A sketch a day: walking horse ~ Sharpie on drawing paper, 6" x 4"
                                A sketch a day: walking horse ~ Sharpie on drawing paper, 6″ x 4″

                                Fun fact: Sharpie marks sip into drawing paper surprisingly fast. So fast that even quick sketches like this one become a battle against ink blobs appearing in the most undesirable places. It’s kind of funny as long as I make the exercise short and repeat it rarely enough to forget that reaching for a Sharpie is not a better option than hunting for a normal drawing pen hiding somewhere in the depths of my drawers, bins, and cans.

                                Gathering II

                                Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                                  Yelena Shabrova ~ Gathering II ~ pen & ink on drawing paper, 4" x 6"
                                  Gathering II ~ pen & ink on drawing paper, 4″ x 6″

                                  As busy as this year’s Silicon Valley Open Studios were, I managed to snatch up some time for drawing. The result is the second piece in the “Gatherings” series that was finished yesterday a couple of hours before the last day of Open Studios in front of the Cupertino Library was over.

                                  Thank you everybody who came to see my art, to ask questions, share your stories, and support what I enjoy to do so much. Those were three wonderful weekends!

                                  The original drawing ($80.00) and high quality 4″ x 6″ giclee prints are available in my Pen and Ink online gallery.

                                  Artist trading card exchange at CAG

                                  Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                                    I planned to try something new with ATC for this exchange at CAG: galloping horse hooves, parts of horse faces, or something like that. Instead, I ended up with four whole horse heads.

                                    Maybe the fact that Newborn is taking longer than anticipated to get finished has something to do with it, I don’t know.

                                    Here are the heads:

                                    Yelena Shabrova ~ Brown Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5" x 3.5"
                                    Brown Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5″ x 3.5″
                                    Yelena Shabrova ~ Chestnut Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5" x 3.5"
                                    Chestnut Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5″ x 3.5″
                                    Yelena Shabrova ~ Gray Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5" x 3.5"
                                    Gray Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5″ x 3.5″
                                    Yelena Shabrova ~ Gray Pony Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5" x 3.5"
                                    Gray Pony Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5″ x 3.5″

                                    And this is what I got from my wonderful fellow artists:

                                    ATC from Dianne Daly ~ inks and pastel
                                    ATC from Dianne Daly ~ inks and pastel
                                    ATC from Sharon La Bouff ~ monoprint
                                    ATC from Sharon La Bouff ~ monoprint
                                    ATC from Donnalynn Chase ~ collage
                                    ATC from Donnalynn Chase ~ collage
                                    ATC from Marlene Bird ~ acrylic and collage
                                    ATC from Marlene Bird ~ acrylic and collage

                                    Silicon Valley Open Studios 2014

                                    Posted on by Yelena Shabrova

                                      It’s Open Studios time! Please join me and very talented artists with whom I will be showing through the first three weekends of this May. So wonderful to participate in this event again after a 2 year break!

                                      WEEKEND ONE: MAY 3RD & 4TH
                                      Site 339

                                      With Amanda Krauss, Krishna Mitra, Slava Shabrov, and Holly Van Hart.

                                      30 Sunrise Court
                                      Menlo Park, CA 94025

                                      WEEKEND TWO: MAY 10TH & 11TH
                                      Site 130

                                      With Rajiv Khilnani, Stephanie Maclean, Deborah Rockey, Slava Shabrov, and Arena Shawn.

                                      750 Jordan Avenue
                                      Los Altos, CA 94022

                                      WEEKEND THREE: MAY 17TH & 18TH
                                      Site 149

                                      With Ria Bhatt, Janki Chokshi, Sagi Erez, Helen Ju, James Lee, Colleen O’Connor, Masha Schultz, Slava Shabrov, Heather Sibley, Nina Uppaluru, Sid Veloria, and Carrie Zeidman.

                                      10300 Torre Avenue
                                      Cupertino, CA 95014

                                      Or see all sites in one place on my SVOS page.