Ilya Lerner

For most of my life, I have been an observational, predominantly plein-air, painter. Plein-air possesses many unique and specific challenges, such as changing light, an enormous variety of dynamic objects, the unpredictability of outdoor environment, etc. It requires an outburst of energy and a high degree of concentration to accomplish something very fast. For me, this intense process by itself creates a strong emotional connection between nature and my work.

I also paint stilllifes, figures, portraits and narrative paintings. Plein-air has its limitations. It is less contemplative than studio painting due to its intensity. It makes no sense to work outside if your intention is to interpret the visible do the degree when it becomes detached from immediate direct observation.

Through decades of painting, my work has transitioned through several conceptual and aesthetic periods. It is rooted in Realist/Impressionist tradition of the Russian School with its strong Academic foundation. As a result of many experiments and under the influence of more contemporary painters, which are too numerous to be named, I have arrived to “something fancier than Realism”, as one of my critics in graduate school put it. I use the reality as a starting point of a meditative process that is more complex than pure perception while using my extensive experience as an observational painter to keep my work true to life. My personal style incorporates and amalgamates elements of both traditional (strong draftsmanship, use of Old Masters painting techniques) and contemporary (gestural painting marks, emphasized color, vivid texture) approaches to picture-making. It cannot be put neatly on a clearly-labeled shelf of the art scene. It’s on its own.

Education
2010, MFA, Studio Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
1992, Pratt Institute, Computer Graphics
1991, New York City Technical College, Art and Advertizing Design
1988, BS, Management Information Systems, Moscow Technical University of Communications and
Informatics
1979 - 1983, Perovo Art School, Moscow, Russia

Teaching Experience
2023, Still-Life Painting, Artists of Yardley, Pennsylvania
2015, 2017 Art Appreciation, Holy Family University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2013 - 2015, Painting, Art Appreciation, Alvernia University, Reading, Pennsylvania
2015, Fantasy Painting, Artists of Yardley, Pennsylvania
2010, Drawing, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York
2010, Painting Workshop, Fine Art Society of Southern Tier, Binghamton, New York
2006 - 2007, Painting, The Art School, Vestal, New York
2007, Painting, JumpstART program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
2007, Figure Painting, Chautauqua Institution School of Art, Chautauqua, New York
2001, Painting and Advanced Drawing, Lee College, Baytown, Texas

Solo Exhibitions
2024, Swan Boat Gallery, Lambertville, New Jersey Ilya Lerner: A Contemporary, Impressionist Painter
2022, Countryside Gallery, Newtown, Pennsylvania Recent Paintings
2021, Old City Jewish Art Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania AMSTEGRA, in collaboration with Ol Mordue
2020, Countryside Gallery, Newtown, Pennsylvania Recent Paintings
2018, Countryside Gallery, Newtown, Pennsylvania Off My Walls
2017, PII Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Faces, Bodies and Other Objects of Desire
2017, Countryside Gallery, Newtown, Pennsylvania Newtown, World and Newtown of Parallel World
2016, Goggleworks, Reading, Pennsylvania Unexpected Transitions and Peculiar Destinations
2016, Countryside Gallery, Newtown, Pennsylvania Ilya Lerner: Recent Paintings
2015, PII Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, City I Love
2013, PII Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Narratives and Symbols
2007, Performing Arts Studio, in conjunction with the International Vision Exhibition, Norman, Oklahoma
2005, Eddie Griffith Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Ilya Lerner: Recent Paintings
2005, Roberson Museum, Binghamton, New York, Ilya Lerner: Paintings, retrospective of 100 works
2004, Crane Collection Gallery, Wellesley, Massachusetts, On the Road: Landscapes by Ilya Lerner
2002, Maturango Museum, Ridgecrest, California, Ilya Lerner: Landscapes
2001, Jewish Community Center, Binghamton, New York, From Moscow to Binghamton
2000, Lee College, Baytown, Texas, Ilya Lerner: Recent Paintings
1998, Eclipse Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts Ilya Lerner: Plein-Air Paintings
1996, Naz Art Gallery, Newton, Massachusetts Ilya Lerner: Recent Paintings
1994, Tsvetaeva Museum, Somerville, Massachusetts Ilya Lerner: Russian Art in US
1983, Perovo Youth Center, Moscow, Russia Ilya Lerner: Paintings

Group Exhibitions
2022, The River Remains: 50 Years on the Buffalo National River, Arkansas State Capitol, Little Rock
2013, Artists’ House Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania New Faces
2012, Duxbury Art Museum, Duxbury, Massachusetts Galvanized Truth: A Tribute to George Nick
2010 - 2012, F.A.N. Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2010 - 2013, Clarke Gallery, Stowe, Vermont
2002 - 2013, Hensley Gallery, Taos, New Mexico
2009 - 2011, Limestone Gallery, Syracuse, New York
2008 - 2010, Art of Russia Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
1998 - 2005, Crane Collection Gallery, Wellesley, Massachusetts
2002, Blaire Carnahan Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2001, Avenue Art Gallery, Endicott, New York
2001, West End Gallery, Corning, New York
2000 - 2001, M. A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, Oklahoma
2000 - 2001, International Museum of Art, El Paso, Texas
2000, Millioud Gallery, Houston, Texas
2000, Art On The 5th Gallery, Austin, Texas
2000, Zarks Gallery, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
1999, Young & Constantine Gallery, Wilmington, Vermont
1998, Fuller Museum of Art, Brockton, Massachusetts
1997, Wilson Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts
1996, Renjeau Gallery, Concord, Massachusetts
1995, Raven Gallery, Marblehead, Massachusetts
1993, Frieda’s Gallery, Rockport, Massachusetts
1992, Chaim’s Gallery, Brookline, Massachusetts
1990, Yeshiva University, New York, New York
1990, Chasidic Art Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Awards
2012, Grant, Vasari Classic Oil Paints
2003, Special Opportunity Stipend, New York Foundation for the Arts
2001, Cultural Connections Grant, Texas Commission on the Art and Arts Council of Houston
2001, Shirl Smithson Memorial Scholarship, Oil Painters of America
2000, Purchase Award, International Museum of Art, El Paso, Texas

Residencies
2003, Fundacion Valparaiso, Mojacar, Spain
2002, Mill Atelier Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2001, Buffalo River National Park, Arkansas
2000, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont

Collections
International Museum of Art, El Paso, Texas
Fundacion Valparaiso, Mojacar, Spain
National Park Service, Harrison, Arkansas
South Side Bank, Tyler, Texas
President George W. Bush
Morgan Stanley, Brewyn, Pennsylvania

Teaching experience
2023, Still-Life Painting, Artists of Yardley, Pennsylvania
2015, 2017 Art Appreciation, Holy Family University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2013 - 2015, Painting, Art Appreciation, Alvernia University, Reading, Pennsylvania
2015, Fantasy Painting, Artists of Yardley, Pennsylvania
2010, Drawing, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York
2010, Painting Workshop, Fine Art Society of Southern Tier, Binghamton, New York
2006 - 2007, Painting, The Art School, Vestal, New York
2007, Painting, JumpstART program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
2007, Figure Painting, Chautauqua Institution School of Art, Chautauqua, New York
2001, Painting and Advanced Drawing, Lee College, Baytown, Texas