It’s been a while since I last shared my experiences as an artist. Living life can be more interesting than writing about it, but I do enjoy sharing my news and adventures with you. Let me kick things off with a few thrilling announcements:
The gallery opening reception will be August 5th from 5:00-7:00 pm.
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be having a Solo Show August 5 - September 18, 2024 - Vivid Visions: Capturing Life's Beauty at the Turner Art Center, in Valdosta, GA, USA. This exhibit will feature some of my favorite pieces from my travels abroad.
Exciting Workshop at My Studio:
Flowers, Flowers, Flowers - a 3-day workshop with Morgan Samuel Price on September 10 - 14, 2024. Check the link for more details. (https://www.andreeva.com/index.php?id=flowers-flowers-flowers-with-morgan-samuel-price-september-10-14-2024-tallahassee-fl)
Now, let me share the highlights of my exhilarating summer:
In the first week of June, I had the pleasure of painting at the Invitational Gloucester Arts Festival, in Gloucester, VA, USA. This was my first time attending the event, and I was in awe from the start. The festival began with an amazing concert under the stars by the Liberty Dolls and a symphony orchestra, setting a delightful tone. Gloucester’s charming blend of farmland, fishing villages, and a sculpture-adorned downtown was a joy to explore and paint. I was especially captivated by the magnolias, which earned me the Best Floral Award.
Shortly after, I flew to Europe to participate in the prestigious Plein Air Competition at Schilderfestival 2024 in Noordwijk, Netherlands (https://www.schilderfestival.nl). I am thrilled to announce that I won the grand prize named after Maja Van Hall! This was my first art event Netherlands, and it was an adventure from start to finish. My heartfelt thanks to the wonderful and accomplished artist Anastasia Dukhanina (check her website for her works and workshops: anastasiadukhanina.com) for encouraging me to apply. It was a great opportunity to reconnect and paint together.
Noordwijk is a coastal gem with beaches, high dunes, forests, and historic flower fields. Painting in this beautiful, historically rich area was deeply moving, despite the constant wind and ever-changing weather. Over the course of the event, I painted waves, boats, dunes, flowers, and character-filled old houses. Each day ended with sponsored dinners, providing a fantastic opportunity to connect with over 40 professional painters from around the world. The jury had a tough job selecting from the 340 paintings created, and I’m overjoyed to have received the Maja Van Hall grand prize.
Second and third prizes went to Anastasia Dukhanina and Anna Maria Vargiu, respectively, with Karin Voogd receiving an honorable mention for her outstanding work. Participating and winning was a testament to the thriving artistic community we have. Here’s the link for the interview: https://www.bollenstreekomroep.nl/russische-artieste-natalia-andreeva-wint-maja-van-hall-paintingaward-op-noordwijks-schilderfestival/ .
Next, I visited Wiesbaden, Germany. To adapt to the environment, I switched to gouache, finding inspiration in the classical architecture and intricate sculptures. The sunny, hot weather during my stay added a vibrant warmth to my works.
My journey continued to Normandy with a highlight visit to Etretat, the Mecca of impressionism. The natural beauty of the cliffs, arches, flowers, and ocean was awe-inspiring. I balanced hiking and painting, capturing the stunning landscapes and charming village streets. I also explored boatyards, fields, and wildflower meadows. Of course, I visited many museums, immersing myself in great art and drawing fresh inspiration.
The final treat was a few painting days with Kippy Hammond and Ann Pease Dodys at Pont-Audemer. What a great company!
Traveling always brings new emotions, visions, and perspectives, enriching my artistic journey.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure,
Best regards,
Natalia