"When that 'little black dress' is not enough ... SHANGRILA!"

Fine Art by Evelyn Embry
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Evelyn Embry studied oil painting under Sergei Bongart in California where she worked with live models, learned color relationship, and painting techniques. Embry also uses pastels as a painting medium, not a drawing medium. She has won numerous awards, including the 2002 Agora Gallery 2002 Soho International Art Competition, the 2002 Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts Grant, the 2003 Astraea Visual Arts Awards, and most recently the 2004 Contemporary Portrait Exhibit Award at the Rye Arts Center, Rye, NY.

Embry feels the pastel medium is more appropriate for women and children since it is softer and enhances the sensitivity of the subject. It is also more spontaneous than any other medium. Once framed, pastels can outlast oils since no binder is used which can cause cracking or yellowing with time, but pastels are sensitive to moisture and care must be taken when transporting and storing them.
Embry uses only quality materials, whether painting in oils or pastels. For pastels she uses Wallis sanded archival paper and a variety of major pastel brands to complete a specific portrait. The artist uses fine quality linen canvas for oil portraits. She currently has five portraits on exhibit at the Contemporary Portrait Exhibit at the Rye Arts Center, Rye, NY, from 11 January to 14 February 2004. Two of Embry's portraits will be featured in the nationally recognized American Artist Magazine in the spring of 2004 (April/May), and one is featured at the Rye Arts Center website. Please contact us at Shangri-La to arrange a portrait.

Click HERE to read Embry's essay on art in America, Between the Cracks.
Despite all advances in modern photography, a painted portrait is still the most enduring legacy. There are as many reasons to commission a portrait as there are people, but the Commission process is generally the same for all cases. It begins with an initial meeting. Embry ascertains what the client would like to see in the portrait and estimates the approximate size of the final work. Then she determines whether it will include pets, for instance, or special objects, elaborate backgrounds, etc., and how the client wishes the image to appear, whether formal or casual. Some minor changes can be made once the work has gotten under way, the size of the piece cannot be altered.

Embry prefers to rely on photographs exclusively, which she takes in approximately a three-hour session. The artist creates numerous compositions by means of the camera. She then confers with the client to see which poses, etc. they like best and can do a sketch if so desired. Embry will use the photographs supplied by the client when necessary, but prefers doing the photography herself since the framing for these images is part of the artistic process. If more photographs are needed to complete the work another brief session will be scheduled with the sitter.

Upon completion of the portrait, the artist will send a detailed, professionally photographed copy of the painting for the client's approval. Once approved, we deliver the portrait or make other shipping arrangements.
Please come to our next art opening at Shangri-La on March 5th, 2003!

We will feature a concert by Soprano Sherry Scanza, M.M. in Vocal Performance, B.A. in Music Education, Ohio University. Adjunct vocal instructor and assistant director of University Chorale, Pepperdine University. Associate conductor and managing director of Angel City Chorale, Los Angeles. Performances include frequent solo appearances, recitals and several operatic roles. Currently a member of The Cayuga Vocal Ensemble. Click HERE for more details.

Evelyn Embry Resumé

CALIFORNIA CAREER (1968-1983)
Studied four years under Sergei Bongart, School of Arts, Santa Monica, CA
Studied anatomy with Hal Reid, Los Angeles, CA
Summer Art Program and Feminist Studio Workshop, Women's Building, Los Angeles, CA
Represented by Swanson Art Galleries, LTD of San Francisco for over ten years - Featured in Swanson's Twenty-One California Artists
Reproductions by Kertez Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA
The Master's Gallery, Sedona, AZ

NEW YORK CAREER (1984-1997)
Taught art privately in New York State, southern tier
Participated in Art Expo, Javits Center, NY
Featured in Brian Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY
Featured in Metro Gallery, Rochester, NY
Featured in Edleman Fine Arts, Manhattan, NY
Solo Exhibit at the Community School of Music and Arts, Ithaca, NY

RECENT EXHIBITS (1998-2004)
Solo Exhibit, Clinton Artspace, Ithaca, NY
Group Exhibit, Limner Gallery, New York, NY
Group Exhibit, Old Opera House, Waverly, NY
Invitational Exhibit (98, 00, and 01), State of the Art Gallery, Ithaca, NY
Group Exhibit, West End Gallery, Corning NY
Solo Exhibit, Community School of Music and Arts, Ithaca, NY
Solo Exhibit, Wells College, Aurora, NY
Group Exhibit, Soho International Arts Competition, New York, NY
Group Exhibit, Agora Gallery, New York, NY
Group Exhibit, Arnot Art Museum, 68th Regional Exhibit, Elmira, NY
Group Exhibit, Community Corner's Gallery, Ithaca, NY
Group Exhibit, Golden Lynx Gallery, Mendon, NY
Group Exhibit, Arnot Art Museum, 68th Regional Exhibit, Elmira, NY
Group Exhibit, The Contemporary Portrait, Rye Arts Center, Rye, NY
Solo Exhibit, Shangri-La on The Commons, Ithaca, NY

ARTISTIC AWARDS AND GRANTS
2002, Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts, Individual Artist Grant
2003, Puffin Foundation, Ltd., Artist Grant
2003, Astraea Foundation, Astraea Visual Arts Award
2004, Rye Arts Center, Finalist in The Contemporary Portrait
2004, American Artist Magazine, Featured Artist in Spring Issue

MEMBERSHIPS
Pastel Society of America (Founded in 1972 by Flora Giffuni, PSA), New York, NY


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Click HERE to read Embry's essay on art in America, Between the Cracks.