Thank you to all participants in the PYHaS 2024 FREE membership raffle! The lucky number is “8”, because 2024 is the 8th year anniversary of PYHaS!
Congratulations @yeletbz, @mizrosie01 and @whimsical_prayers – you won! woohoo!!! Your numbers were the closest to the winning number! Please make sure to email us BEFORE October 31 at pyhas2018@yahoo.com with the subject: “PYHaS2024 winner from Olga Furman”. We will send you access information (or a refund, if you have bought the class already) on October 31. 2023. If we will not hear from you by October 31 your win will be cancelled.
For everyone else: If you haven’t joined us yet- don’t wait any longer, we have limited number ofcouponsavailable. Join us now, use coupon code ART24 – CLICK HERE!
*If you already joined PYHaS2024, you can still participate in the raffles and get a full refund if you win a spot!
Next week’s giveaway schedule
Please check out their social media to find out how to get into the draw:
I’m thrilled to invite you to watch a captivating event that I was a part of, it’s a true celebration of artistic talent and creativity! The prestigious Kessler Collection have had The Next Original competition, and I was one the winners.
This video will provide a unique opportunity to dive into the minds of the artists behind the exceptional creations that caught the attention of the Kessler Collection.
Last week we had our first workshop with the South African artist and friend Annie Hamman and it was amazing!
I know Annie for many years through FB and this was the first time we finally met in person! Annie Hamman is an experienced and very generous instructor, and she is just a sweetheart. This combination made this workshop really special. New skills were acquired and friendships established. We had a great time together, shared stories and learned a lot.
It was so awesome to meet my FB friends, old and new, I miss them already!
During the course of 3 days, students learned three different techniques for creating soulful portriats.
Please watch the video below for some highlights from this beautiful class:
Below are the images of the demos from Annie’s workshop:
Annie’s last workshop in the USA is coming up August 7. We have a few spots still available, and I hope you will consider to join.
JEANNE E. :This was such a WONDERFUL workshop!!! I really enjoyed spending time with Annie Hamman painting soul filled portraits! She is such a wonderful encouraging teacher who shares her passion for story art with so much love and energy. If there is any way you can manage to take her workshop, GO!! You will be soo happy you did!!! I learned a lot and this is such a great opportunity to study with one of the very best. It was truly amazing how much we all accomplished in 3 days! I can not recommend it highly enough. Olga Furman was such a delightful caring hostess as well! She also shares so much love and joy. What a wonderful time we all had! It was a truly unforgettable experience that I am sooo happy I had!
KARIN: I am saddened that the workshops have come to an end. Olga Furman, our amazing host, held us with detailed care, generosity and simple magnificence. Annie’s teaching style, although highly structured and intense, allowed for each of us to explore our own level of competence and style. Her helping hand and observations were instrumental in my growth both artistically and personally. Her non shaming ways and ultimate respect of our personal needs and desires, created an atmosphere filled with safety, camaraderie, and fun. Annie’s trust that each of us would finish a painting a day, empowered me and gave me a renewed sense of what I am truly capable in my way into my artistry. The opportunity to have come to engage with an amazing group of women, was just a special addition to an extraordinary and unique workshop. I am excited to hear about the new adventures Olga and Annie might take us into in the future. A million thank yous to each of you and to each of my incredible dear women who shared a table with me.
MARIA M. :This precious workshop was the most wonderful experience of my life. Annie’s lessons are meticulous planned, explaining her techniques clearly as many times as necessary, encouraging me to go with my creativity with her gentle guidance and feedback based on her years of experience. My family and friends think my art is now at another level and had matured. This workshop is life changing, worth every penny and to attended was an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. So glad I took that opportunity. Thank you Annie for making this trip to the US and to Olga Furman for offering this opportunity. XO
JANE S.: This was an amazing three days with Annie Hamman!!! I loved her in-person workshop and would go again if I ever get a chance. I highly recommend this golden opportunity to learn from the best. I was concerned that I don’t have enough experience as an artist. But the entire group of women were so supportive. I am a better artist now as a result of attending. She has an incredible eye and insight to teach you new things. Love, love, love her so much! She is a terrific artist and teacher. It was delightful to be hosted by the infamous, loving, kind, extremely talented Olga Furman as well!!! Thank you both so much!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MARIANNE M.: This was truly a magical experience. I’ve followed Annie for several years and made my decision to fly across the country to her workshop the moment it was announced but was more than I hoped for. Soulful art is what fills my heart and Annie’s encouraging and kind instruction helped me tackle one of my fears. Faces! and now I actually look forward to painting them. If you’re considering her workshop just jump in. You won’t regret it. Thank you Annie.
I’m thrilled to announce an upcoming in-person painting workshop with the amazing artist, solful story teller and art friend Annie Hamman! After two workshops had been sold out pretty quickly, we decided to open one more. “The Winged Once” workshop in August will be the last one with Annie in USA for a while, just before she heading back home to South Africa.
This workshop will sure take your artistic skills to new heights!
Join Annie for a captivating journey to explore the art of painting soulful portraits with story and symbolism. This immersive workshop will be held in my personal studio, located in East Brunswick, NJ., Agist 7-9.
Annie will guide you through the process of infusing emotion, depth, and meaning into your portraits, creating artworks that resonate with both the artist and the viewer. Through a combination of demonstrations, personalized instruction, and hands-on practice, you will gain invaluable insights into the techniques and concepts behind soulful portraiture.
Explore the Rich Cultural Landscape: If you have some extra time before or after the workshop, East Brunswick’s prime location makes it an ideal base for venturing out to nearby destinations that brim with artistic inspiration and cultural marvels.
1. New York City (NYC): As one of the world’s cultural centers, NYC beckons with its renowned museums, galleries, and artistic buzz. You’ll have the chance to soak up the vibrant art scene, visit iconic landmarks, and immerse yourself in the city’s dynamic energy. With direct bus transportation, you can reach the heart of the Big Apple in under an hour!
Time Square in New York city by night
2. Lambertville and New Hope: Just an hour’s drive from East Brunswick, these charming towns are a haven for artists and art lovers alike. Explore the home of impressionists, browse through antique stores and galleries, relish delightful dining experiences, and discover hidden treasures at the Gold Nugget flea market. Nature enthusiasts will delight in the scenic trails alongside the river and canal, offering serene moments of inspiration.
3. Asbury Park: Immerse yourself in the vibrant street art scene and take a leisurely stroll along the iconic boardwalk. Admire the eclectic architecture and enjoy the lively atmosphere of this vibrant coastal town. Asbury Park promises a delightful fusion of art, culture, and natural beauty.
4. Princeton: A short 35-minute drive away, the historic town of Princeton boasts a wealth of attractions. Marvel at the prestigious Princeton University, explore its beautiful campus, and visit renowned museums and galleries. Be captivated by the town’s charming streetscapes, where history and intellectualism converge.
Hello dear friends! I’m celebrating my birthday, 52 years around the sun! 🙂 and I would like to celebrate with all of you. As a special birthday treat, I am offering a whopping 30% DISCOUNT onPaint Your Heart and Soul 2023 (PYHaS2023), Yay!!!
By joining now you will get immidiate unlimited access to 20 amazing lessons on various art techniques, plusover 30 additional lessons until the end of the year.
But wait, there’s more! – get a FREE Goodie Bag with copyright-free “birthday themed”images you can use in your art.
PYHaS2023 includes over 50 amazing lessons from over 30 professional artists! Students get introduced to different techniques and styles in order to create beautiful art, mostly portraits.
Last week we had a famiy trip to Met 5th Ave. We love this museum and lucky to live not too far away from NYC. Every time we go there I feel very inspired and take a lot of photos.
Painting from sculptures is a traditional method to practice painting/drawing skills and I personally really love doing it, so I thought it would be a fun and useful practice for all my art friends on Instagram (I promose to do another contest for my FB friends later this year too!)
Contest: Create from the Reference above in your own style
🎊Three random winners will get a FREE class Painting Dreamy Portraits 🎨Open to all artists/mediums, except AI. 🎨The #artwork should be created from scratch.
Happy New Year dear friends, After my Charcoal and Pastels Portrait painting was feautured on the billboard in Times Squre NYC on NYE, I got many messages with questions about what kind of pastels do I use, and what kind of technique it is. To answear your questions, I recorded a FREE video. It is NOT a lesson, but it is in a real time, and I hope you can pick up some information from it. *I forgot to mute the video, so it’s a bit loud with the TV on, my pup barking and other noices, LOL – so please turn off the volume when you watch it, and turn on your favorite music instead :).
For all of you who is interested in a real lesson in this technique – you can find it in PYHaS2020 classroom, if you were a student back then. If you didn’t take this class before – it’s available for purchase on my website HERE. PYHaS2020 is a self paced class from a few years ago and packed with amazing lessons from many artists, including myself.
*********** Just a friendly reminder, that registration for a brand NEW and shiny Paint Your Heart and Soul 2023 classwill be closed next week, January 10, 2023. Class which starts TOMORROW!
PYHaS 2023 is a 50 weeks long online painting class for beginners and experienced artists, with weekly lessons on my website, in the password protected “classroom”. PYHaS2023 will help you to learn, improve your skills and spark your creativity. Plus, we will cheer you on in your creative journey through our closed group on FB (on Instagram we have our hashtag and PYHAS account too!)
I saw an ad for The Next Original Artist competition on Instagram. It just popped on my screen. I usually don’t participate in competitions, especially anything labeled as a sponsored post. What caught my attention, however, was the name Kessler. A few years back, exactly at this time of year, we had a family vacation in Savannah, Georgia. We stayed at the most beautiful hotel with original art on the walls, a collection of vintage hats, and this unique and inspiring bohemian vibe that I recorded my PYHaS2018 introduction video in, so I stopped and read the ad. It said that Kessler’s Collection was having a contest for The Next Original artist to be featured on a billboard in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. The participation was free and all I had to was to upload 3 artworks to participate.
On Tuesday, December 13th, I got a call from an unknown caller. I let it ring because there are so many spam calls these days that I only answer the phones when I recognize the caller, and let it go to voicemail. To my surprise, when I listened to the voicemail, it was Lori, calling from Kessler’s Collection, telling me that I had been one of ten finalists who had been selected from The Next Original competition. She wanted to fly me out to Savannah, Georgia, and meet me so that I would be able to participate in the final event. I called her back and we immediately started talking. She told me that I was chosen from 5,000 artwork submissions and that Mr. Richard Kessler himself wanted to meet me. I was extremely excited, as one would be! From this moment, everything moved super quickly. I was offered a contract with the bohemian gallery in case I won the competition and Cindy, Lori’s assistant, sent me the Itinerary and What to Expect, as well as booked flight tickets for my daughter and me.
On the plane to Savannah, I met my Facebook art friend Elaine, who’s art I admired for years. Guess what? She was one of the finalists of The Next Original too! What a pleasant coincident!
We arrived in Savannah on December 15th. As soon as we stepped into the gorgeous Riverside District Plant Hotel, we were immediately greeted by Lori (Chief Commercial Officer and Summer (Corporate Director of Galleries) with champagne. I must note, I don’t drink, but this was the kind of occasion that screamed celebration, so cheers! Everything was extremely organized, and the actual hotel was so large that Natasha and I got lost trying to find our room twice!
As soon as we entered our room, Natasha and I were speechless. we were generously provided with a glorious spacious suite, with a roof top view of the Savannah River right next to a heated pool.
We took a tour of the Grand Bohemian Gallery and were introduced to the staff. The art at the gallery was exquisite and the team was knowledgeable and friendly.
The next day, we had a full schedule. The Next Original finalists were invited to the Amethyst ballroom to have an interview with Mr. Kessler and the press would be coming later too. I was a nervous wreck just thinking of having to speak, because in general, I am not a good speaker, not to mention talking on the camera, and with someone who you greatly admire, such as Mr. Kessler. To my surprise, as soon as Mr. Kessler started asking me questions, I felt myself calm down. He had such a sweet and friendly personality that I felt like I was just having a casual conversation with a friend. He is such a charming gentleman, and I adore his southern accent!
During our break between the interviews and the judging ceremony, we explored the hotel. Among the high-end restaurants and shops, the design of this hotel was like no other
Mr. Kessler is not only an art collector, but also a collector of crystals and artifacts. Huge boulders of split and polished semiprecious stones were planted on the main floor, like a playground for a gigantic stainless-steel dinosaur, the size of the entire length and height of the hotel. The walls were complemented by gorgeous original paintings – such an inspiring and stunning place to visit!
But what I appreciated the most was the hospitality and how welcomed I felt to be a guest. Everybody was so kind, welcoming, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed to be comfortable.
All of the artists got along with each other so well that it didn’t feel like a competition anymore. We were cheering each other on and hoped each other would win.
The judging ceremony was beautiful! There were mood setting decoration in the style of New York City, with street signs of the names of streets in New York with New Year’s decorations, and even a live jazz band. The food was delicious as well!
Mr. Kessler himself made the announcements. He said that he liked all of the finalists work so much that he couldn’t choose only one – all ten finalists were announced as winners! Such a generous and kind decision, all of us artists were so grateful and happy!
I want to dedicate a special paragraph for the organizers of this competition, they worked so hard to make this happen! So many things were involved and orchestrated! It looked and felt effortless, which could be only done by top notch professionals who love to do what they do. Everything went smoothly: the flights, the hotel, the food, the press, the camera crew, the interviews, the ceremony, the parties – it just couldn’t get any better! I felt constant support and was cheered on all the way through. I’m so grateful and excited for this opportunity and the new friendships I made along the way.So what will happen now? First and foremost, our paintings will rotate on a billboard in Times Square at New Year’s Eve (and the day after), just where the crystal ball drops. More importantly, however, we will be exclusively represented by Bohemian Galleries in all the locations. I started working on the paintings already, you can see my progress on Instagram!
So what will happen now? First and foremost, our paintings will rotate on a billboard in Times Square at New Year’s Eve (and the day after), just where the crystal ball drops.
More importantly, however, we will be exclusively represented by Bohemian Galleries in all the locations. I started working on the paintings already, you can see my progress on my Instagram!
Happy New Year dear friends! May 2023 bring you much joy, fun, peace, love, and success!
Hello dear friends! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.
I had spent all the long weekend next to the easel, and excited to present to you “Three Wishes”! She is painted on stretched canvas, and could be displayed with or without frame.
If you like her enough to give her a home, you can CLICK here for more details.
The shipping is FREE within USA! I will also add a FREE insurance if you buy her today, before midnight.
I don’t use to say about my paintings that they are “beautiful”, it is for you to decide, but I do love how she came out, like a proud parent for a good behaved child :). I also excited that she has this “MonaLisa effect”, and follows you with her gaze from any angle of the room.
