ABOUT & CONTACT
Artist Statement
I believe that beauty may save the world. Even if not, it undeniably makes it a better place. In my art, I strive for the beauty. Inspiration comes from endless harmonies and vibrant colors of the natural world. Animals and flora play a significant role in my work, serving as vessels for meaning, symbolism, and emotions. Through my art, I try to tell stories imbued with depth, and often a healthy dose of humor. People smiling at my paintings feel my heart with joy.
My painting technique is deeply influenced by both the old masters and contemporary artists. I practice representational art, utilizing a direct oil painting technique that allows for intricate brushwork. Each piece is a meticulous exploration of form and color, aiming to capture the essence of my subjects while engaging the viewer in a visual dialogue.
In my work, I hope to convey the profound beauty I see in the world, sharing it with others to inspire, uplift, and perhaps, make our world a bit brighter.
Artist Bio
Yelena Lamm was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she received her formal art training from the N. K. Roerich Fine Arts School. Since 1995, she lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Yelena is painting primarily in oil. She is known for her portraits of pets and animals, in which she reflects on her subjects’ characters and personalities, as well as for her lively and colorful floral compositions. Yelena is a Signature member of Oil Painters of America (OPA), Society of Animal Artists (SAA), and National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society (NOAPS). Yelena’s works were selected for and won awards in juried regional and national shows. Her list of awards includes 17th ARC Salon ARC Staff Awards, First Place in the Animals as the Subject category in 2024 Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition, Most Original Award of Excellence in OPA 2023 Eastern Regional Exhibition, Outstanding Achievement Animals in AWA 2023 Annual Online Juried Show, and SAA 63rd Art & the Animal Exhibition Purchase Award. Britain’s most popular magazine for practicing artists, Artists and Illustrators, featured Yelena’s animal portraits in a 6-page article and on the cover of their June 2023 issue. Yelena’s works are represented by Reinert Fine Art in Charleston, SC, Main Exhibit Gallery in Ligonier, PA, Ballard’s Fine Art Gallery in Sheridan, WY, The Zebra Gallery in Easton, MD, and Picket Fence Art Studio in Woodinville, WA.
Notable Exhibits/Competitions/Awards:
2025:
AIS 9th Annual Impressions: Small Works Showcase
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE)
2024:
Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition
First Place, Animals as the Subject
The Almenara Art Prize
Finalist
17th ARC Salon, Art Renewal Center
ARC Staff Awards
NOAPS Best of America 2024
OPA 2024 Eastern Regional Exhibition
25th Annual AIS National Exhibition
NOAPS Best of America Small Works 2024
Society of Animal Artists 64th Art & the Animal Exhibition
AIS 8th Annual Impressions: Small Works Showcase
2024 Westmoreland Art Nationals
Committee's Choice Award, Mocha and Latte
OPA 33rd Annual National Juried Exhibition
Society of Animal Artists Wildlife Wonders Exhibition,
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE)
2023:
NOAPS Fall International Online Exhibition
AWA Annual Online Juried Show
Outstanding Achievement Animals
OPA 2023 Eastern Regional Exhibition
Most Original Award of Excellence
NOAPS Best of America 2023
NOAPS Best of America Plein Air Competition, Fourth Place
Society of Animal Artists 63rd Art & the Animal Exhibition
Driftless Glen Purchase Award; SAA Newcomer Award
24th Annual AIS National Exhibition
AIS 2023 Paintout, Honorable Mention
2023 Westmoreland Art Nationals
Curator’s Choice, Urban Forest
NOAPS Best of America Small Works 2023
2022:
16th ARC Salon, Art Renewal Center
Semi-Finalist
OPA 2022 Eastern Regional Exhibition
NOAPS Best of America 2022
Aqueous Open 2022 Annual International Exhibition, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society
Award of Merit, Madam Cow
2022 Westmoreland Art Nationals
Best in Show, Quest
NOAPS Best of America Small Works 2022
NOAPS Best of America Small Works 2022 Plein Air Competition, First Place
2021:
OPA 2021 Eastern Regional Exhibition
NOAPS Best of America 2021
Merit Award for Why Are You Still Home?
OPA 2021 Wet Paint Plein Air Competition
Award of Excellence
Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Celebrating 75+1 Exhibit
Pennsylvania Watercolor Society 2021 Juried Show
2021 Westmoreland Art Nationals
Painting Award for Morning Glory
Painting Award for Four Musketeers
OPA 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition
15th ARC Salon, Art Renewal Center
Finalist
2020:
OPA 2020 Eastern Regional Exhibition
Pittsburgh Watercolor Society 75th Anniversary Exhibition at Fallingwater
First Place, Grand View
Aqueous 2020, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Exhibition
Waterworks 2020, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Exhibition
First Place, Victoria’s Breakfast
2020 Westmoreland Art Nationals
Executive Director’s Choice Award and Painting Award for Girlfriends
In the Mayor’s office with Bill Peduto, Mayor of Pittsburgh
Art On The Walls Program
Pittsburgh Mayor's Office
Group juried exhibition, AAPgh
August 2018 - January 2021
Spring in Pittsburgh
2018:
Shades of Bright, with Joy Knepp
Philip Dressler Center for the Arts, Somerset, PA
May - June 2018
Group Exhibition: The Museum of Russian Art | MORA , Jersey City, NJ
May 2018
Archived: A Salon Exhibit of Past Works
August 2012
Group juried exhibition, AAPgh
Juror: David Bowers
Spring in Pittsburgh, Honorable Mention
Fein Art Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
2012 Westmoreland Juried Biennial
April - July 2012
Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA
Women in Art / Art in Women
March 2012
Red Door Space, Pittsburgh, PA
Naked in Pittsburgh Autumn 2011, Group Juried Show
Red Door Space, Pittsburgh, PA
Gallery Award Honorable Mention
Forbidden Fruit, Solo Exhibition
November 2010
Panza Gallery, Millvale, PA
Reflections, Solo Exhibition
2008
Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, Carnegie, PA
Pittsburgh Recast, Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators Juried Exhibition
2008
The Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, Pittsburgh, PA
"Spring in Pittsburgh" featured in Pittsburgh Tribune Reveiw
and in Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine
