Hello dear art friends, It was a while since my last blog post. I share most of my art on social media, but today I wanted to share with you my reference images I have used to create the painting above, because I know that for us, artists, the inspiration is just as interesting as the final painting 🙂
I used an old vynil record to paint on. I cleaned it up with 70% alcohol and covered in black gesso. Then I painted everything in acrylics. 2 years later i painted over with oil paints.
Some paintings could be complited in a few hours and some take years. I feel satisfied with the final result. I think she has a character, and this is most important quality for me that I’m trying my best to achieve :).
That’s it for now. Thank you for reading :). I’m looking forward to your comments below. I hope this post will inspire you to paint too!
Hello my dear friends, and happy holidays to those who celebrate!
About this time of the year last year, I was one of the winners of The Next Originals competition by The Kessler Collection. Since then, my painting was shown on a billboard in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and throughout the year, you could see my paintings in all of the Grand Bohemian galleries. You can read more and watch the video about the competition and my interview HERE, if you haven’t already.
For the holiday season, I was invited to come down to Asheville, North Carolina, for five days to stay for an artist residence and a show. I was super excited to go, as not only was I able to stay in a luxurious hotel that is the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville, but it was also my first solo show and I was very grateful to have such an opportunity.
Instead of flying, as I did last time when I came with my daughter, my husband and I chose to make it a roadtrip. This way we were able to take our pup, Leo, with us.
As we arrived, everyone was so sweet and welcoming, we felt so at-home.
The artsy town of Asheville is known for its goregous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and dedication to the arts. It’s a touristy town filled with galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and the famous Biltmore estate, which is America’s largest mansion and was the shooting location of the movie ‘A Biltmore Christmas’.
Here are a few pictures of the show before and during. I was so excited about everything that I kept forgetting to take pictures, especially the paintings that were sold right away.
During the show, I met a lot of people, including collectors of my paintings. It was such a surreal experience for me to connect with them, take pictures together, and writing personalized messages on the back of my paintings. I was also delated to meet a few friends I knew from social media, and am very grateful they took the time to visit me. It’s always exciting to meet online friends in real life.
I also did some demos:
Seven paintings were Sold Out from the show, I’m so greatful to the collectors and to the gallery staff. I was very impressed by fact that the everybody in the gallery took the time to learn about the symbolism and meaning behind my paintings. It made me so happy that my work was appreciated and valued.
There are a few paintings that are still available at the gallery in Asheville (and in the other GB galleries in different locations). If you are a local, I hope you stop by to see the show in person, but the gallery can also ship the painting if you are interested in giving it a home. The best part is that when you purchase through the gallery, you can get points, and can earn a FREE night(s) at the gorgeous Grand Bohemian hotel (I think you can choose from all six of them! 🙂 )
Even after all this, the cherry on top was a guided tour of the best parts of Asheville with the gallery director, Constance Richards. Last time, she give us a tour and an indepth explanation of everything in the hotel, which itself a piece of art. The special wood and handcrafted forniture, as well as sculptures and paintings, are carefully selected and brought to the hotel from all over the world.
This time, Mrs. Richards gave us a tour of the Biltmore Estate where we visited an arboretum, as well as a famous Christmas light show. She also showed us different historical locations which beautiful by itself, let alone with the festive holiday decorations. It was wonderful, we had such a great time!
That’s all for now. This year is almost over, and I would like to wish you a happy holiday season, and a happy, healthy, and adventerous New Year!
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!)
