nina ulana

New Exhibit Up

2011-09-03T20:23:00.004-05:00

Through September - October 2011 - hope you can stop by.

Next Exhibit - September & October 2011

2011-07-23T19:01:00.003-05:00

My next exhibit will be during the months of September and October at the Oak Park Village Hall in Oak Park, Illinois. I am exhibiting with my mother, Dzvinka Stifel, in an exhibit titled "Scapes: Land & Dream." My paintings that will be on exhibit are posted below. The Oak Park Village Hall is located at 123 Madison Street in Oak Park with hours from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday. I can be contacted at ninaulana@comcast.net. You can also view Dzvinka's art at http://dzvinkasart.blogspot.com.

2011-07-23T18:08:00.023-05:00

"Poppy Dream," acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

"Aon Center Crows," acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

"Spring Equinox," acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

"Animal Spirit," acrylic on canvas, 40" x 40"

"Koi New Moon Starry Night," acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

"Gemini," acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

"Chicago Gargoyles at Midnight," acrylic on canvas, 48" x 38"

"Blue Hibiscus," acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"

Family Exhibit Installed

2011-03-03T20:54:00.011-06:00

Copyright © 2011 by Nina Ulana. All Rights Reserved.

"Koi New Moon Starry Night," acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40" - one more painting from my exhibit not posted yet.

A shot of the gallery from the northwest corner, featuring my mother's work, Dzvinka Stifel. Her art can be viewed at

http://dzvinkasart.blogspot.com

This is one of my sister's paintings, Tatiana Weinstein's "Window Light" (polyptych) acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 (x’s 4). Her work can be viewed at

http://tatianapaints.blogspot.com

I hope you can stop by the Oak Park Library during the month of March. The library is located at 834 Lake Street in Oak Park, Illinois. Library hours are Mon - Thurs 9-9, Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5 and Sun 1-6.

Family Exhibit March 2011

2011-02-19T20:31:00.009-06:00

Copyright © 2011 by Nina Ulana. All Rights Reserved.

"Aon Center Crows," acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40" - I have enjoyed consistently seeing a group of crows around my current place of work. Their presence in such a business environment is a scene to be experienced.

Copyright © 2011 by Nina Ulana. All Rights Reserved.

"California Night Poppy," acrylic on canvas, 24" x 20" - I was pulled to the shape of the California poppy, mostly because it was so similar to the shape of the gingko leaf.

Copyright © 2011 by Nina Ulana. All Rights Reserved.

"Chicago Gargoyles at Midnight," acrylic on canvas, 48" x 38" - I have been pulled to this image throughout the years, now painted in a scene that was inspired by the lights of Chicago at night.

I wanted to post a few paintings that will be exhibited in an upcoming family exhibit come 3/1. Hopefully I will finish a few more pieces before my installation date.

Upcoming Family Exhibit in Oak Park

2011-01-27T18:25:00.005-06:00

Dzvinka Stifel, Nina Ulana and Tatiana Weinstein are exhibiting their artwork at the Oak Park Public Library's art gallery during the month of March.

http://www.oppl.org/events/gallery.htm
Location: 834 Lake Street, Second Floor, Oak Park, Illinois

The paintings represent three different perspectives of external and internal worlds in the form of landscapes, mindscapes and bodyscapes. Dzvinka's landscapes depict scenes from the road, in the rural Midwest. The artist's goal is to inspire gratitude of the natural beauty around us in ordinary scenes. Nina's mindscapes represent our internal psyche in dimensional scapes. Sometimes called dreamscapes, her paintings physically depict the imagination and subconscious. Tatiana's bodyscapes combine the still life and figurative painting. Bodies and books are her subject matter as well as her passion.

Jury Duty Artist

2011-01-05T18:57:00.011-06:00

Have been busy completing a painting series for an upcoming March exhibit - but with nothing to post yet - for the new year I wanted to share a sketch I created during jury duty today. Was happy that oil pastels were not on the "no cell phones, no laptops or cameras, no aerosol sprays, no pens or sharp objects" list. Trying to use every moment in time to create, and playing with colors today helped my mind. Wasn't picked for jury duty (both cases settled out of court).

Inspiring Quiet Morning Walks

2010-09-14T11:29:00.015-05:00

Michigan Avenue and Millenium Park were very quiet and empty this morning - truly an inspiring walk. Chicago inspires me to paint, and to photograph.

http://ninaulanaphotography.blogspot.com

"Metropolis" is back

2010-04-24T14:05:00.005-05:00

I was very surprised to see "Metropolis" today, standing on a porch near my house. It has been three years since he was created and auctioned off at Oak Park's Pleasant Home in the fall of 2007.

"Metropolis" in the beginning

2010-04-24T13:51:00.011-05:00

Sponsored by Gloor Realty, "Metropolis" was exhibited on Oak Park Avenue off Lake Street for the summer of 2007 in the Oak Park Area Arts Council and Oak Park Avenue Business Association's "Pigs on Parade."

12th Annual Chicago Art Open

2010-03-19T15:56:00.004-05:00

"Blue Hibiscus" will be exhibited at the Chicago Artists' Coalition 12th Annual Chicago Art Open at the River East Art Center in April. The curated exhibit will feature art in all media from over 350 Chicago area artists.

Preview Benefit/CAC 35th Anniversary Party (ticketed): Tues (4/20) 6 – 9pm
Public Opening (free): Saturday (4/24), 12 –4 pm
Final Day of Show: Friday (5/7)

http://www.rivereastartcenter.com/
435 East Illinois Street, Chicago

Artful Object 2010: Break the Ice

2010-03-19T15:51:00.002-05:00

The Oak Park Area Arts Council had a successful benefit, "Artful Object 2010: Break the Ice," on February 27, in the Oilily Building in River Forest, Illinois. I am posting the painting I donated and that was auctioned off, "Leopard Gecko" from my Lizard series.

If you'd like to see photos from the auction, please click on the link below.

http://www.oakparkareaartscouncil.org/home.htm

"Poppy Dream," acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

2009-12-31T14:34:00.003-06:00

Copyright © 2009 by Nina Ulana. All Rights Reserved.

Finished this painting just in time to post before the end of 2009. Wishing everyone a Happy New Years!

Looking Back

2009-11-18T08:30:00.007-06:00

I find it productive to work on a group of paintings simultaneously - currently working on five works, I am excited to be finishing one soon. Finishing a painting brings a unique happiness, one that I am very grateful for. When in this "finishing" stage, I also tend to "look back" at past works and styles. Though I probably would not repeat a previous style, I do still enjoy viewing a few of my older works, such as "Acid Lizard Altar" above. Hope you enjoy it too.

"Portrait of Poe," watercolor on paper, 36" x 24"

2009-09-01T12:44:00.006-05:00

This portrait was created a few years ago, but recently exhibited at Lisle Library in Lisle, Illinois during the month of June. It will also be exhibited at a group Poe exhibit at the Oak Park Public Library in October.

http://www.oppl.org/events/gallery.htm

"Abstract Nude," pastel on paper, 24" x 36"

2009-09-01T12:43:00.002-05:00

"Sleeping," pastel on paper, 24" x 36

2009-09-01T12:42:00.002-05:00

"Scarlet Fever," acrylic on canvas, 28" x 22"

2009-05-11T19:11:00.007-05:00

A nude a did a while back...may work with this image in the near future.

"Portrait of Frank Lloyd Wright," acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"

2009-04-16T12:52:00.007-05:00

I created this image twice now. The first was auctioned off at one of the Oak Park Area Arts Council's annual benefits, and this one was a commissioned piece.

"The Singer," pastel on paper, 24" x 36"

2009-04-16T12:48:00.007-05:00

This portrait was created as a gift - I enjoyed working in pastel and of course, capturing the beautiful profile of this singer.

"Lizard King," acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

2009-03-10T13:12:00.006-05:00

This painting was created for a Doors fan. I enjoyed designing the composition and playing with transparency techniques.

LIZARD REALM SERIES

2009-03-10T13:11:00.007-05:00

I created a total of five works that depict Caribbean wildlife. Flowers and reptiles are favorite subjects of mine -- the flower is a temporary manifestation that often brings appreciation, awareness and consciousness -- the lizard, on the other hand, often symbolizes our subconscious, our instinct and our inner desires. I enjoyed combining the two in this series. The five paintings are posted below.

"Anole Lizard," acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"

2009-03-10T13:10:00.014-05:00

"Blue Hibiscus," acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"

2009-03-10T13:10:00.013-05:00

“Leopard Gecko,” acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"

2009-03-10T13:09:00.015-05:00

"Jamaican Iguana," acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"

2009-03-10T13:09:00.014-05:00

"Plumeria," acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"

2009-03-10T13:08:00.006-05:00

MINDSCAPE SERIES

2009-03-10T13:04:00.014-05:00

I was part a group family exhibit titled "Scapes: Land, Mind & Body." The exhibit represented three different perspectives of our external and internal worlds in the form of landscapes, mindscapes and bodyscapes. My mindscapes represented our internal psyches in dimensional scapes; sometimes called dreamscapes, my paintings physically depicted the imagination and subconscious. Series posted below.

“Spring Equinox,” acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

2009-03-10T13:03:00.014-05:00

Inspired by the Spring Equinox moon, I created this painting shortly after seeing the crescent moon in a Chicago sky.

“Amazon River Blues,” acrylic on canvas, 28" x 22"

2009-03-10T13:03:00.013-05:00

“The Struggle,” acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

2009-03-10T13:02:00.013-05:00

I am intrigued with our own struggles, some which we cannot control and others we bring upon ourselves. In this painting, nature and instinct (symbolized by the green shapes) are protecting the woman from falling prey to the bright, tantalizing fire.

“Technology,” acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

2009-03-10T13:02:00.012-05:00

This painting was specifically created for a Technology Supervisor’s office. I enjoyed researching technology and painting the intricate details in this piece.

"Animal Spirit," acrylic on canvas, 40" x 40"

2009-03-10T13:01:00.013-05:00

I find the leopard a beautiful animal and have painted it numerous times. In this piece, I used the leopard as a symbol to represent all of our "animal spirits."

“Gemini,” acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

2009-03-10T13:01:00.012-05:00

GINGKO LEAF SERIES

2009-03-10T12:59:00.007-05:00

I find the shape of the gingko leaf beautiful and am pulled to painting its form. I created a series that blended the silhouette of the gingko leaf with designs inspired from the Art Deco period. Three of the paintings are posted below.

“Abstract Gingko 1,” acrylic on canvas, 30" x 30”

2009-03-10T12:58:00.013-05:00

“Abstract Gingko 2,” acrylic on canvas, 30" x 30”

2009-03-10T12:58:00.012-05:00

“Abstract Gingko 3,” acrylic on canvas, 30" x 30”

2009-03-10T12:57:00.008-05:00

FROGS, LIZARDS & SYMBOLS

2009-03-10T12:56:00.000-05:00

The frog is a favorite of mine, and often finds itself in my works. To me, this amphibian is a perfect symbol for change, personal growth and metamorphoses. The lizard is also a fascinating creature and I find the reptile a great representation of our instincts and drives - most of which we wish we could control. I will often paint the iguana smiling or smirking - - Logic may be strong, but instincts always tend to come up for air. “New Liberty” and “Night Iguana” posted below were two works auctioned off at Oak Park Area Arts Council annual benefits.

“New Liberty,” acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"

2009-03-10T12:55:00.006-05:00

"Night Iguana," acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"

2009-03-10T12:54:00.006-05:00

"Waiting for Change," acrylic on canvas, 40" x 30"

2009-03-10T12:53:00.008-05:00

This cool color palette of blues, purples and greens is a favorite of mine. In this work, the female figure’s distant expression contrasts the activity of the two birds. I tried to mimic this contrast by using symmetrical and non-symmetrical elements in the composition.