"Teach me 2 Paint": painting classes with Irina

I am pleased to announce that I am now offering 2-hour painting classes. Please scroll down for details and upcoming dates! For more questions and to register, email me at Irina.k.ashcraft@gmail.com or call me 407-970-7242.

The first class was a great success! See my blog for some pictures.
Next available dates are listed below. I look forward to seeing you there!

 2 hours of fun and creativity
 All supplies provided
 Take a finished painting home with you
 Novices and experienced artists are welcome
 Ages 15 and up
 Bring a friend or group and multiply the fun
 Workshop fee $45*
*please contact me about the individual one-on-one painting class fee

Class: Abstracted Journey
Get introduced to acrylic paints and canvas, learn some color theory and design your unique, one-of-a-kind abstract composition. Put it all on canvas and leave home with a finished painting.

When: Tuesday, June 8, 2010 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Art Studio at Trinity Preparatory School,
5700 Trinity Prep Lane, Winter Park FL 32792

Class: Fun with Palette Knife
Learn about oil paints and how to create texture with palette knife. Put it all together into a vibrant composition inspired by floral motifs and plants. You will leave with a finished piece that has lots of texture and color.

When: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: Art Studio at Trinity Preparatory School,
5700 Trinity Prep Lane, Winter Park FL 32792

Irina's Work at the Lago of Baldwin Park

I have 7 oil pieces showing at the beautiful Lago Restaurant in Baldwin Park, FL. The pieces are on display throughout the entire year of 2010, but my personal artist night is on Tuesday, March 23 from 7 to 9 pm. I hope to see some of my local patrons and friends there!

Irina's On-line store on Etsy.com

Exciting news--I have recently opened an on-line store on Etsy.com. If you have not been on this wonderful site, please take a look--so many unique and reasonably priced items sold directly by artists. I am offering for sale my smaller and lower-priced paintings, such as quick studies, sketches and plein air work in oils, acrylics and watercolors. A selection of prints is also available. I am regularly updating my store with new pieces. Please check it out by going to
www.artworkbyirina.etsy.com

or click this button for direct access

Summer 2009

I am visiting my family in Latvia this summer, where I also plan on doing some plein air (open air) painting-Florida is too hot for this in the summer time. Click on "Irina's Blog" button to find out more about my adventures.
I hope that everyone is having a wonderful summer!

Summer 2008

Irina spent the entire summer in Europe. The majority of her stay was in Latvia, where she enjoyed time reconnecting with many relatives and introducing her 15-months old daughter to them. Kovnacka had an opportunity to participate in the outdoor paint-out sponsored by the county where she was born. She was happy to reconnect with many of her old course mates from the Latvian Academy of Art, who are now prominent professional artists. Irina spent one week painting outdoors by a beautiful lake in the heart of Latvia; she enjoyed the opportunity to be immersed in art and to be able to paint all day long without a worry about anything else! The paint out was featured in the local paper and culminated with an outdoor art show. Irina left all of her works displayed in a local gallery and gave a few pieces to her parents as their birthday presents. Pictured: Irina Kovnacka next to her works at the paint-out.

In addition, Irina also traveled to Rome and Florence, Italy, where she visited all the major art museums and sites. She brought back many photos and impressions, and she is currently working on a new series of paintings dedicated to her travels.

Irina's is a Poster Artist at the Autumn Winter Park Art Festival

Irina's still life, "Yellow Blooms", oil on canvas, 30 x 24 inches, has been selected for this year's poster at the Autumn Art Festival in Winter Park, FL. The festival is taking place in Central Park on October 13 and 14, 2007. Look for Irina's tent on the corner of Park Ave and Morse Blvd to sign the poster as well as to view her new works.

Irina's works at the "East Meets West" Show in Austria

Irina's works have been accepted into a four-artist show at the Gallerie Art 21, Austria. The exhibit is showing the works of artists of Russian decent, and Irina has the honor of displaying six of her oil paintings at this venue. The show is scheduled to open on May 15, 2007 and will run through July 2, 2007.

Publication in "Fresh Paint" magazine

Irina Kovnacka is a featured artist in the Spring 2007 issue of "Fresh Paint", a publication of Florida Art Educators' Association. Interview exploring Irina's career as an art educator and professional artist as well as images of her works are published in this magazine.

Women's Leadership Summit Exhibit

Irina had the honor of showing her works at the Mayor Crotty's Women's Leadership Summit that took place on March 15, 2007, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Irina's works were viewed by more than 1,000 conference participants.

Irina's Works at the Urban Think! Bookstore

Irina Kovnacka was the artist of the month at the Urban Think! Bookstore in Orlando, FL. 13 of her works were exhibited at the store through February 2007. Several of her pieces can be found there on permanent exhibit.