Biography

Irena Taylor is an established teacher and painter living in San Antonio, TX. After receiving a teaching degree in History from Houghton College she followed an eclectic path of art education. She studied art history at Rutgers University, took several studio courses at De Cordova Museum School of Art, and studied with Paul Ingbretson at his Ingbretson Studio of Drawing and Painting where she continues to work as time permits. She has taken numerous workshops with outstanding artists including Daniel Green, Sherrie McGraw, and Ted Seth Jacobs.

Irena is comfortable drawing, painting in oil, and working with pastels or in watercolor. Unless commissioned otherwise, which medium she chooses depends on how she visualizes the final picture. Most subjects interest her although the figure remains her favorite. She accepts formal and informal portrait commissions.

Throughout the year she participates in several shows. She has won several awards for her work including Best of Show at the Crown Plaza Art Competition, 2003, Best of Show at the Spring, Texas, 2002 SpringFest Wine & Art Festival, and Artist of the Year at the Coppini Academy of Fine Arts in 2003. Her paintings have been included in national juried competitions where she has also received awards.

She is a member and teacher at The Coppini Academy of Fine Arts in San Antonio, a member of the Oil Painters of America and the Texas Pastel Society.

During the year she conducts classes in drawing and painting for youth and adults at the Coppini Academy and at other venues. She also conducts private lessons.