Yelena has been painting and drawing since her childhood in Russia, influenced by great Russian artists such as Valentin Serov, Ilya Repin, Isaak Levitan, Vasily Polenov. After graduating university, she worked as a technical illustrator, combining her two degrees in engineering and graphic art. Yelena moved from Russia to New Jersey with her family in 1989, where she started a greeting card business, creating custom-drawn wedding invitations and birthday cards using pen-and-ink and pastel. She also worked as an advertising illustrator for many years, creating images for various local businesses and publications throughout the New Jersey area

In recent years Yelena has become very interested in plein air painting and the idea of sharing her instant impression of the moment, in the moment. Most of her landscapes are now painted entirely outdoors, in natural light. "Capturing the light, atmosphere, and mood out in nature and being able to share that impression with others is a priceless and fulfilling experience for me. I see painting as a conversation with the world and the people around me" says Yelena. Additionally, Yelena continues to pursue her fascination with portraits, both in her studies and commercially.

Yelena's work has been juried in various art shows, and has also been exhibited at the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury, where she has been an Associate Member since 2010. Yelena is also an Associate Member of the Oil Painters of America, a member of the Plein Air Painters of the Jersey Cost, and a member of the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters. Her first plein air competition was the Sixth Annual Bayonet Farm Art Festival, where she was awarded the 2009 Sycamore Award for Inspirational Power of the Arts. Since then, she has participated in a number of juried art shows.

Yelena currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters and continues painting everywhere she goes.

Education/Aritistic Training:
M.S. in civil engineering -1982 Belarussian State University of Transport,     Gomel, Republic of Belarus
B.S. in Graphic Design -1981 Belarussian State University of Transport,     Gomel, Republic of Belarus
2009-2011 Ridgewood Art Institute, study with internationally recognized
    painter and teacher John Phillip Osborne a classical methology and     the "prismatic palette" that has its origins in the French Barbizon     School.
Childe Hassam, John Osborne, David A. Leffel and other American     artists had a strong influence on Yelena.

Galleries:
Guild of Creative art, Shrewsbury, NJ, 2009 to present
Saville Gallery, Cumberland, Maryland, 2011
Veranda Fine Art and Gift Gallery Fair Haven New Jersey, 2010

Awards:
David Davis Award-31st Ridgewood Art Institute Regional Open Juried     Show 2011. See Ridgewood news article "Best of the Best are at     Regional Jury Art Show" published February 4, 2011
Jerry's Merit Award-Out & About Norfolk, 3-Day outdoor painting     invitational competition. October 2010 Out and About Norfolk 2010     Plein Air Paint Out
Killian & Salisbury Sycamore Award-6th Annual Bayonet Farm and Art     Festival, Holmdel, NJ 2009 Bayonet Farm Arts & Music Festival |     Facebook

Associations:
The Guild of Creative Art (NJ)-Associate Member
Plein Air Painters of the Jersey Coast (PAPJC)
Oil Painters of America (OPA)
Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters (MAPAPA)