Category: Irina Korotkow

Tuesday is 'Open Studio' day at Merv and Irina's - 4 Byrne Street

18/11/2019

Tuesday is 'Open Studio' day at
Merv and Irina's
4 Byrne Street, Benalla

Start around 10am and finish whenever you like. Basic idea is bring your paints and work on your painting,

I work on mine and will be there if you want advice or encouragement.
This is not a workshop and is free.

We'll provide a lunch ... let us know if you have any special requirements.

RSVP is needed as space is restricted and some Tuesdays may not be available
Contact: mervyn.beamish@gmail.com or call 0417 269 611

'Upstairs Downstairs' Pop Up Exhibition - 1-5 October - Exhibitions Gallery

7/10/2019

Postcards to New York - Bon Voyage Celebration - Friday 27th September

28/9/2019

Friday night. It was a mild evening; the departure lounge gallery was quietly filling with members and friends. Light music from the talented Benalla Guitar Ensemble floated across the room. Wine and finger food circulated.

The pictures on the wall were gathered together, ready to go, a lot of them, over 60 works. Compared to the pictures which came across from New York to Benalla, the local products look slightly wild, off the wall and energetic, ready for anything. Did I hear them humming there on the walls?

When they hit New York, crowded onto the gallery walls, telling their story to anyone who will look, I think the message will be loud and clear. Energy, invention, directness and a staggering diversity of image and subject. It’s a great message and a great project. Congratulations to the artists and the curator Irina Korotkow... look out New York….

Simon Klose
Exhibitions Coordinator

'Postcards to New York' - Irina's interview on ABC Shepparton

11/9/2019

'Postcards to New York - Response Exhibition' features in the Ensign

28/8/2019

Benalla Ensign, Wednesday 28 August

Janet Leith 'Just finished my entry for the Postcards Exchange Exhibition'

24/8/2019

What a wonderful entry, Janet! The official closing time for postcard responses to be delivered to NEA - Saturday 24th September at 2pm!. 'Postcards to New York' - a response exhibition to the 'Postcards from New York's Hunter Valley' exhibition, will be on display at NEA from Tuesday 3rd September until Saturday. 27 September. Contact Irina 0407491756

A wonderful poster from NY with a collage of the images shown in our recent 'Postcards from New York's Hudson Valley' exhibition!

17/8/2019

Postcards from artists living in New York's Hudson Valley - an invitation to artists from North East Victoria to respond

14/7/2019

Are you aware of New York's Hudson Valley area? Visiting 'Postcards from the Hudson Valley, New York', a reciprocal postcard exhibition exhibition currently at NEA, evokes a sense of what it might be like to live there..

Postcards in a range of media = watercolour, photography, multimedia, digital prints, collage and more - shared with us by artists from the Hudson Valley in New York were photographed on the walls of NEA's Exhibition Gallery, where the exhibition has been on display for almost a month. It has been extended to Saturday 28th July.

North East Artisans would like to thank the artists from New York's Hudson Valley who entered this International Postcard Exchange and shared a part of their life with us. Thank you!

Artists and photographers who would like to submit response 8" x 6" art work postcards from North East Victoria please contact Irina 0407491756.

Postcards from New York's Hudson Valley - NEA June 14 to July 28 2019

1  Betsy Jacaruso  Catskills Beyond the Marsh  Watercolour

2  Elizabeth Rundquist  Banana Bunch  Acrylic on Canvas

3  Katie Chirichillo  Views from Home  Collage

4  Mary Ann Glass  Bear Mountain Bridge/ Hudson River  Photograph

5  Mary Ann Glass  Avoca Diner  Photograph

6  Justin Goodhart Bash Bish Falls  Photograph

7  Franc Palaia  2 Eyes, Havana Cuba  Photograph

8 K C Hulsman  Fishkill Creek  Photograph

9  Harvey Silver  View from Vanderbilt Mansion  Photograph

10 Mary Ann Glass  Bronx Diner  Photograph

11 Christine Irvin  Sunglasses  Photograph

12   Galina Krasskova  Beacon Shamon II  Acrylic on Paper

13 Virginia Donovan Looking South Toward ‘The Race’, Hudson River Acrylic on Canvas

14   Dan Goldman  Between Then and Now  Digital Print

15   Bekah Starr  Hand of Fatima  Drawing

16   Galina Krasskova  Beacon Lights  Acrylic on Paper

17   Kate Kester  Sunset Over the Bay  Watercolor

18   Barbara Bergin  Olana Sunset  Watercolor

19   Hana Gordon  Hudson River Sunrise  Watercolor

20  Dan McCormack  Anna_08-06-18—03AD  Pinhole Photograph

21 Stacie Flint  The Studley Barn  Digital Print

22 Harvey Silver  2 Teenagers Cruising in a ‘57 Chevy  Photograph

23 Linda T Hubbard Bannerman Island Photograph

24 Ellen Crimmins Pink Peony  Watercolor

27 Carol Mainardi  Sea Lullaby  Woodcut

28 Carol Kohan  Sunset on the Hudson  Watercolor

29 Lori Adams  Clivia  Photograph

30 Leslie Malin  Hudson River Winter  Watercolor

31 Pamela Garfield Sparrow Acrylic on paper

32 Jean Noack If I Waited for Perfection Mixed Media

33  Virginia Donovan Coastal Maine  Acrylic on Canvas

Beacon - Benalla - Beacon Postcard Exchange

11/7/2019

Beacon lies on the Hudson River about 60 miles north of the city of New York. It is an artistic community much visited by art lovers. Mervyn and I have visited several times to participate in workshops run by Basha Maryanska.

It is a charming town with many galleries and funky cafes. Pandorica’s is a fantastic café decorated deep blue like Dr Who’s Tardis! We were impressed by the Hudson Glass foundry and gallery next to RiverWinds Gallery on the main street.

The Coen Brother’s filmmakers have invested in Beacon artists’ community, buying the decommissioned high school and turning it into art studios. (Calling all property investors to do the same for Benalla!)

Benalla has a nice symmetry with Beacon as both host Not for Profit arts organizations promoting cultural vibrancy. New York based photographer Mary Ann Glass visited Benalla whilst in Victoria conducting workshops. On her return to New York Mary Ann asked 25 artists from the Hudson Valley to make the postcards now on show in Gallery 2 at NEA. In the spirit of Sister City-hood, Mary Anne offered us a reciprocal show in Beacon for artists from North East Victoria.

Our Inaugural Postcard Exchange is a cultivated space to broaden our artistic horizons and make a stimulating connection with artists on the other side of the globe. It is a playful concept designed to engage artists and public alike.

Irena Korotkow, June 2019

International Postcard Exhibition and Exchange with New York artists

16/6/2019

Carol Mainardi (Hudson Valley, New York) Sea Lullaby woodcut

‘Postcards from New York’s Hudson Valley’, an innovative International Postcard Exhibition curated by NEA studio artist Irina Korotkow and New York based photographer Mary Anne Glass, is on display in NEA’s Exhibition Gallery (Gallery 2) from June 18th to July 14th.

Mary Anne Glass visited North East Artisans early in 2019 while in Victoria conducting workshops. On her return to New York, Mary Anne asked twenty-eight artists from New York’s Hudson Valley (about 60-70 miles north of New York City along the Hudson River) to make postcard-sized (6x8 inches) artwork on paper, cardstock, or unstretched canvas. And they were excited to participate!

The work now on exhibition at North East Artisans encompasses oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings as well as photography, mixed media, collage art and woodcuts.

‘Postcards from New York’s Hudson Valley’ represents the first stage in a reciprocal international exchange of postcard artwork. Irina Korotkow is now encouraging artists from North East Victoria to respond to the exhibition by contributing post card sized artwork to a post card exchange with artists from the Hudson Valley. Submissions need to be 2 dimensional works 6 x 8 inches on cardstock, paper, unstretched canvas.

Postcards created and exchanged by artists from North East Victoria will be exhibited in a month-long response show at RiverWinds Gallery, Beacon, New York State, with an opening during Beacon’s Second Saturday, when all galleries are open.

“The postcard exchange and reciprocal show at RiverWinds Gallery in New York’s Hudson Valley provide a wonderful opportunity for artists in North East Victoria to broaden our artistic horizons, make a stimulating connection with artists on the other side of the globe and have our artwork exhibited in New York!” Irina Korotkow.

'Postcards from New York's Hudson Valley' will be on show in NEA's Exhibition Gallery (Gallery 2) from Tuesday June 18 to Sunday July 14th. The beautiful postcard images will be for sale between $40 to $50 each. If you would like to participate in the postcard exchange and reciprocal exhibition at RiverWinds Gallery, Beacon, in New York’s Hudson Valley, please contact Irina Korotkow on 0407491756. The 'Postcards to New York - Response Exhibition' is to be held during September in the Exhibitions Gallery.

'Creative Expression' - Tuesdays from 10 am - BYO paints & project - Merv & Irina's

23/5/2019

Tuesday is 'Creative Expression' day at
Merv and Irina's Studio
4 Byrne Street, Benalla ... 0417 269 611

RSVP is needed as space is restricted and some Tuesdays may not be available
mervyn.beamish@gmail.com
Start around 10am and finish whenever you like

Basic idea is bring your paints and work on your painting,
I work on mine and will be there if you want advice or encouragement.

This is not a workshop and is free.
We'll provide a lunch ... let us know if you have any special requirements.

We can see how it goes and decide if we want to repeat it on a regular basis.

'KRAKOW 2018' - Merv and Irina's recent international artists residency

12/10/2018

NEA artists Irina Korotkow and Mervyn Beamish recently returned from the International Artists Residency in Krakow, Poland.

Q: WHAT WAS THE RESIDENCY?

A: It was by invitation only to 12 international artists to live, exhibit and work together at the Hotel Leopolis (leopolis.com.pl) in Krakow. The idea was to share experiences, techniques and exhibit our works. It included Polish, Korean, Americans, Australians and Indian artists.

Q: HOW WERE YOU SELECTED TO BE INVITED

A: Primarily through social media. My (Mervyn) work caught the eye of New York based international art currator, Basha Maryanska, who invited me to exhibit in one of her exhibitions. Irina and I went to US for the exhibition where Basha also became interested in her work. This was about 5 years ago and we have struck up a close friendship with Basha and a number of other artists. We get invites to show and residencies two or three times a year, but can't accept all of them.

Q: WHY NOT

A: Ha! Time and money, I'm a pensioner so time is not so much a problem, but Irena is a nurse so it is for her.

Q: WHAT ARE THE COSTS

A: This can vary dramatically. There is the return airfare to the location, for both of us and accommodation cost. Basha has a knack of doing great accommodation deals for the group. Some residencies are sponsored by organisations such as the European Union. There is also profit from sales at the exhibition. We have made sales at every residence we've been to, which helps with the costs.

Q: WHAT WAS THE AVERAGE DAY'S PROGRAM

A: Fairly loose and primarily up to the individual. Breakfast included a group planning meeting. Generally the morning was taken up with visiting the old market town of Krakow. Krakow was one of the few cities in Poland not bombed in WWII and, indeed, never destroyed in war, so the old buildings an churches are old, really old. There are numerous churches, museums, art galleries, castles and a salt mine under the city that dates back pre-Roman.

This mine is no longer active, but so large it contains a night club, health spars and I think a hotel and concert venue .... I'll check that out next time (the group has been invited back). Local beer is wonderful and plenty, Polish vodka will knock your socks off (60% proof).

After lunch, which was generally taken under canvas in the central square, we'd come back to work at the hotel using their conference hall as a communal studio.

Each artist is expected to give a minimum 30 minute talk and 'slide show' presentation on their work, influences and history. Evening meal was a group event which generally was followed by more work or whatever.

We were also visited by local artists and invited into their studios, etc.

Q: IS THERE GOING TO BE AN AUSTRALIAN EVENT?

A: We have talked about the possibility of holding an event at North East Artisans, but interest was mediocre on both sides. There is a possibility of one in Melbourne. We will see. The general response from the group was good, but the belief that our beasties are all out to kill people, though a joke to us, to many overseas a true fear. We assured them that snakes are not particularly interested in biting people, spiders are of little concern other than in outdoor dunnies (few knew what a dunnie was in any case) and also suggested that they take any tales of terror kangaroos by Australians with a grain of salt.

Q: FUTURE PLANS FOR THE GROUP.

A: Next year the group will meet in USA and Italy with an exhibition in Paris. Doubt if we can afford to go to either. There was a suggestion of one in Thailand, and vague mention of China. They did try for Spain, but the Spanish hotels are a little over artists!

Q: HOW CAN ARTISTS GET INVOLVED IN GROUPS LIKE THIS

A: Social media, keep an eye on events, publish your work and friend other artists. Don't be afraid to put the word out that you are interested. With us it just popped out of the blue.

An Occasional Blog by Mervyn Beamish, October 2018

You can read Mervyn's blog on a previous residency here http://www.northeastartisans.org/news/the-occasional-blogger-merv-writing-on-his-artists-residency-in-poland

'Wisdom and Experience' - Gallery 2 at NEA 19 - 30 Oct - Seniors Festival

1/9/2018

Inspiration for older people thinking of entering the:'Wisdom and Experience' exhibition at NEA during the Victorian Seniors Festival from October 19 - 30th! 70* yr old NEA Artisan Merv Beamish's (2017) just completed portrait of Irina Korotkow in his studio at NEA.

The 'Wisdom and Experience' exhibition is supported by Age Friendly Benalla. Age Friendly Benalla is a project between Cooinda, Hume Primary Care Partnership and Benalla Rural City Council supporting people over 55 years of age in Benalla and surrounding districts.

The Conditions of Entry and Entry form are now available for download:

'Wisdom and Experience' Exhibition - Entry Form

Mervyn and Irina - International Artists' Residency in Krakow, Sept 2018

6/8/2018

Merv and Irina are busily preparing for another international artists residency in Poland.

In one of the very first 'occasional' blogs on NEA's website Merv reported their participation in this international artists residency in 2016. It's worth a read. 'Occasional Blogger' Merv Beamish on his artist's residency in Poland'

Hopefully Merv will write another 'Occasional Blog' about the 2018 Residency,

A Month of Artworks by Merv Beamish, 'Pop Up Arts Show' 1 to 31 December

13/12/2016

Merv's Pop-Up Arts Show at Chocolate Lane continues to the end of December.

The Chocolate Lane exhibition coincides with an exhibition including Merv and Irina's work at the New York gallery of their friend and 'curator extraordinaire', Basha Maryanska.

Irina described being 'beyond excited' that her work was in the window of Jadite Galleries in Times Square, 'A big thrill'.

Apparently this is the first time Merv and Irina haven't been in New York when their work is being exhibited. However they seem to be enjoying their 'Pop Up' involvement with Chocolate Lane, Benalla.

Merv Beamish 'Pop Up Art Show' Flier

Gallery Notes - Real butterfly wing on acrylic and watercolour on paper

17/11/2016

Real butterfly wing on acrylic and watercolor on paper. Created on residency in Poland. It was spring, flowers blooming, insects wobbling past on the way to ponds. Our resident musician played lute madrigals on the mandolin. We painted on trestle tables under the trees in the grounds of Hogwarts castle. Pretty and magical that this butterfly wing came my way.

Irina Krotokow, November 2016

"The Occasional Blogger' ....a posting from Merv Beamish

21/8/2016

The term "Artists' Residency" is a cacophony of meanings and interpretations. Like the word 'environment' it can be used in many ways. I've just attended a residency with fellow NEA artist Irina Korotkow which included a month or so free accommodation, an exhibition area and a studio space in return for running a couple of workshops, manning a gallery (same location as studio space). Sometimes the term 'residency' is used as an alternative for workshop, often with travel, a cruise and particular artist teacher.

This artists' residency was a gathering of international artists to work together, exchange ideas and techniques, and visit some of the worlds greatest artworks. The residency was by invitation and limited to a small number of artists, sculptors and a musician from Europe, USA, Africa and we represented Australia.

The residency, partially funded by the EU and other sponsors, was curated by artist and curator Basha Maryanska and held at the Goluchow castle estate in Poland (side note, one of the castles featured in the Harry Potter films, which has given me great status with the grandkids). We stayed in the castle grounds, hotel Mulzeany, not 5 minutes walk. There was a large purpose built studio space and ample grounds to wander and work in. One hit was The Hunting Lodge which serve the most wonderful and intoxicating ice cream, and of course Polish beer.

The studio space, I'm cramped into the back corner while we worked on one of the other artist's work.

At work in the studio ... if you haven't heard a ukulele playing medieval music, you have missed one of the delights of life

Basha Maryanska

Kathryn Hart USA

An impromptu yoga class

What did it cost us? I know some of you want to know. All art materials (Canvases, basic paints, brushes etc.) were supplied also three nice meals a day. The hotel room was humungus and furnished in the period style of the castle with the portrait of the original owner (a shady character) pompously, and some what disapprovingly peering down at the bed, but stuff him artists are artists! The accommodation as a whole package was heavily discounted, primarily covered by sponsorship and came to around $700 for the fortnight, that included transport during the residency. Air tickets were our own responsibility, however, I managed to get a good deal through STA which turned out quite a lot less than expected

My little corner, with a near completed canvas for the exhibition.

One of my works, based on the skyline of Warsaw New Town, an area destroyed in WWII and authentically restored to it's pre-war condition.

Some of the other works, Irina Korotkow's piece is the middle one

At the end of the residency there was an exhibition in the castle which then lead onto a travelling exhibition to move around Poland. While one could arrange the return of works after this exhibition. I left mine in Poland to be sold or otherwise disposed of. I did sell a larger canvas while staying at the Hotel, so now am represented in a private collection in Poland.

All in all, a wonderful and educational trip. I've been invited again next year, not sure where at this stage, the possibilities include USA, France, Italy or Qatar.

Both Irina and I have been asked to organise a similar residency in Benalla in 2018 or 2019 and several international artists are eager to come and paint with Australian artists, also a top Belgian sculptor Luc de Man and New York ceramicist Elizabeth Frischauf. We're a bit of a mystery to them.

**Thanks, Merv for responding to our invitation to write an 'Occasional Blog' about your experiences in Poland.

**'The Occasional Blogger' is open for submissions by NEA members who may, from time to time, have a strong urge to write for this column (or can be cajoled into doing so)!