Visual arts program offering abstract art workshop by artist-in-residence Yelena Martynovskaya Feb. 12

January 31, 2020

Northwestern’s latest artist-in-residence Yelena Martynovskaya works on a painting that will be on display in downtown Alva during the First Friday Art Walk Feb. 7. On Feb. 12, she is leading a free abstract art workshop open to the public.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s visual arts program will present a free abstract art workshop open to the public in Jesse Dunn Annex, room 324, on the Alva campus on Feb. 12. The workshop will be taught by the program’s current artist-in-residence, Yelena Martynovskaya, and is intended to give attendees a greater appreciation, deeper vision and compound perspective for art done with textures.

At 6 p.m. Martynovskaya will discuss her studio practice, process, influences and body of work with the “Exploring Texture in Painting” workshop to follow from 7-9 p.m. All materials will be provided.

Martynovskaya, who was born in Uzbekistan and immigrated to the United States when she was 11 years old, said that while art has been an occupation she has pursued, the order and structure of lines and textures embedded in art has come practically naturally to her. The artist recalled focusing on the lines, order and color balance as a young child, which fascinated her and inspired her to pursue an artistic career with greater knowledge and experience in abstract work—knowledge and experience she hopes to share and inspire with the public of Alva in her time here.

“I just think it is interesting to see the different perspectives that art can have based on the person,” Martynovskaya said. “So many times we see pictures and art on websites, social media and even on walls, but don’t take the time to really look at it and think or to consider the texture behind it. It’s easy to get caught just seeing the art as flat.”

Thinking outside the box, Martynovskaya hopes to inspire attendees of her workshop to consider the texture used to create art and the minute details that may go into an expressive work of art. Given supplies and a few pointers, the attendees will be able to pursue the abstract art on their own to create individual masterpieces that may reflect their personality and perspective through colors, lines, shapes and free expression.

Martynovskaya earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from California State University, Sacramento, in 2007 and a Master of Arts degree in Studio Art in 2009. She lives and works in Sacramento where she currently is a part of a group exhibition at Beatnik-Studios.

Art enthusiasts will be able to see the artwork Martynovskaya has created during her time in Alva at the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Alva at the Graceful Arts Gallery and the Runnymede on Feb. 7 from 6-8 p.m.

For more information about the workshop or the visual arts program at Northwestern, contact Kyle Larson, assistant professor of art, at (580) 327-8108 or krlarson@nwosu.edu.

-NW-