Internationally acclaimed, award-winning fine artist, Elena Vladimir Baranoff, is a master of the rare technique of egg tempera, a medium passed down through generations by icon painters of Russia.
Distinguished with a Master of Fine Arts in miniature painting from Palekh Art College, a legendary institution renowned for its 20th century Russian fine art movement, Elena began her professional journey working as a young master of miniature art at the State Palekh Creative Art Studios, a fine art organization directly sponsored by the Russian Ministry of Culture.
Elena's innovative vision led her to discover new venues for her art and in 1991, following a professional artistic journey to Vienna, Austria, she accepted an invitation from an American oil heiress to introduce her talent to fine art collectors of the United States.
During the 1990's Elena was a guest of honor at leading art galleries across America, where she showcased her paintings and demonstrated her superb art vision. For the past twenty five years Elena has created her art in the beautiful surroundings of Northern and Southern California.
Elena's one of a kind paintings have been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., Leepa-Ratner Museum of Art in Florida, Gulf Coast Museum in Florida, Springfield Art Museum in Missouri, in addition to leading US art galleries. Ms. Baranoff has extensively exhibited in the United Kingdom, at the National Portrait Gallery in London, Dean Gallery of the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh, Southampton City Art Gallery, Mall Galleries, and at other fine art venues.
The artist’s professional profile is featured in Who’s Who In Art-Biographies of Leading Men and Women in the World of Art in Britain Today. Ms. Baranoff's rare works of art are housed in prominent fine art collections around the world, including the British Royal Collection of His Royal Highness Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales.
Over the years, Elena developed her own new style of painting, perfecting and championing the mesmerizing egg tempera fine art medium in our modern society. From creative compositions to portrait paintings, each of her mesmerizing artworks is destined to be treasured for generations.
In 2013 Elena founded Egg Tempera Movement together with fellow fine artist Anastasia Elena Baranoff, in an effort to revitalize and promote the rare fine art tradition and technique of painting.
As a natural continuation of her visual art practice, Elena is acting as co-screenwriter/director/producer of "The Portrait", an upcoming feature film adaptation of the short story by celebrated author and playwright Nikolai Gogol.
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts Diploma in Miniature Painting in Centuries Old Technique of Egg Tempera
Graduated with honors from legendary Palekh Art College, Palekh, Russia
Five Year Program | September 1977 - July 1982
Graduation diploma work on the theme of Russian bylina "Vasilisa Mikulishna"
On the day of graduation her distinguished fine art professor Boris Mikhailovich Nemtinov,
Honorary Fine Artist of Russia, publicly proclaimed Elena to be a "genuine born miniaturist".
Completed An Intensive Five Year Course Dedicated To The Following Disciplines
Creative Compositions
Under the direction of professors Uriy Brovkin (1977-1978) and Boris Nemtinov (1978-1982)
Technique of Palekh Style
Under the direction of professors Uriy Brovkin (1977-1978) and Boris Nemtionov (1978-1982)
Academic Painting and Drawing
(Still-Life, Interiors, Portraiture, Figurative Painting In Watercolor and Oil Techniques)
Under the direction of professors Tatiana Belousova (1979) Mikhail Belousov (1977-1982)
Human Anatomy and Perspective
Under the direction of professor Mikhail Belousov
Technology of Art Materials
Under the direction of professor Victor Golov (1977-1980)
World Art History under the direction of professor Vitaliy Kotov (1977-1982)
Studied other disciplines, including Philosophy and Esthetics. Participated in Plein Air Landscape Painting Summer Sessions, copied frescoes at Russian cathedrals, and created mural paintings in public intitutions under the direction of her fine art professors.
MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
2017
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery | BP Portrait Exhibition
Leicester, United Kingdom
2016 - 2017
Scottish National Portrait Gallery | BP Portrait Exhibition
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
2016
Usher Gallery | BP Portrait Exhibition
Lincoln, United Kingdom
2016
National Portrait Gallery | BP Portrait Exhibition
London, United Kingdom
2012
Springfield Art Museum | "Watercolor USA"
Springfield, Missouri, USA
2009
National Portrait Gallery | BP Portrait Exhibition
London, United Kingdom
2009
Southampton City Art Gallery | BP Portrait Exhibition
Southampton, United Kingdom
2009
Dean Gallery, National Galleries Of Scotland | BP Portrait Exhibition
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
2004
Smithsonian Institution, Ripley Center International Gallery
"Third World Exhibition Of Fine Art In Miniature"
Washington, D.C., USA
2004
Leepa-Rattner Museum Of Art
Miniature Art Society Of Florida International Exhibition
Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA
2003
Gulf Coast Museum Of Art
Miniature Art Society Of Florida International Exhibition
Largo, Florida, USA
GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
1992 - 2005 | Gallery Representation
The Light Opera Gallery | San Francisco, California, USA
1997
Texas Gallery | Dallas, Texas, USA
1991 - 1995 | Gallery Representation
Serendipity Gallery | Dallas, Texas, USA
1993
The Shrive Co. | San Francisco, CA
1992 | 1993
Stardust Gallery At The Galleria At Tyson's II | McLean, Virginia, USA
1992
Fabrile Art Gallery | Chicago, Illinois, USA
1992
Leo Kaplan Modern Gallery | New York, New York, USA
1991
Art Expo | New York, New York, USA
1991 | Gallery Representation
The Excelsior Art Gallery | Wichita Falls, Texas
Elena Vladimir Baranoff was a guest of honor at professional art gallery exhibitions across the USA. Gallery shows were accompanied by Elena's personal appearances as a world renowned Palekh master, and included painting demonstrations of her miniature art and centuries old technique of egg tempera.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2012
The Bennington Center For The Arts | "Laumeister Fine Art Exhibition"
Bennington, Vermont, USA
2012
The Bennington Center For The Arts | "American Artists Abroad"
Bennington, Vermont, USA
2012 | 2002
El Dorado Gallery | Thirty First & Twenty First International Miniature Art Exhibition
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
2011 | 2008 | 2005
Mall Galleries, The Mall | Royal Society Of Miniature Painters, Sculptors And Gravers
International Exhibition Of Miniature Art
London, UK
2002 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
Westminster Central Hall, Westminster Gallery
Royal Society Of Miniature Painters, Sculptors And Gravers
International Exhibition Of Miniature Art
London, UK
2000
Second World Exhibition Of Miniature Art
Hobart, Tasmania
2000
Chateau de Bernicourt | Third International Exhibition Of Miniatures
Roost-Warendin, France
AWARDS
2011
Gold Memorial Bowl Honorable Mention Award For Miniature "Westminster Abbey 2011"
Royal Society Of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers | International Exhibition
Mall Galleries, The Mall | London, England
2008
Gold Memorial Bowl Honorable Mention Award For Portrait Miniature
"His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill Of San Francisco and Western America"
Royal Society Of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers | International Exhibition
Mall Galleries, The Mall | London, England
2005
Mundy Sovereign Portrait Award For Portrait Miniature
"Empress Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova Of Russia"
Royal Society Of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers | International Exhibition
Mall Galleries, The Mall | London, England
2004
Second Place Award In Mixed Media Category For Portrait Miniature
"Catherine The Great Empress Of All Russia"
Miniature Art Society Of Florida | International Exhibition
Leepa-Rattner Museum Of Art | Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA
2003
First Place Award In Historical Or Mythical Category For Portrait Miniature
"Empress Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova Of Russia"
Miniature Art Society Of Florida | International Exhibition
Gulf Coast Museum Of Art | Largo, Florida, USA
2002
Gold Memorial Bowl Honorable Mention Award For Portrait Miniature Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother "Queen Mother In Blue"
Royal Society Of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers | International Exhibition Westminster Central Hall, Westminster Gallery London, England
1998
Gold Memorial Bowl Honorable Mention Award For Portrait Miniature
"Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova"
Royal Society Of Miniature Painters, Sculptors And Gravers | International Exhibition Westminster Central Hall, Westminster Gallery London, England
1997
Gold Memorial Bowl Honorable Mention Award For Miniature "Prince Igor"
Royal Society Of Miniature Painters, Sculptors And Gravers | International Exhibition Westminster Central Hall, Westminster Gallery London, England
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
Since 2006 -
Who's Who In Art - UK Edition
Biographies Of Leading Men And Women In The World Of Art In Britain Today
Hilmarton Manor Press, UK
1995
Granted Official Permanent Residence In The United States Of America As An Artist
With Extraordinary Ability By The Government Of The United States Of America
1991
Honorary Citizen Of Wichita Falls, Texas
Charged To Serve As An Ambassador Of Good Will From The City Of Wichita Falls, Texas
As Proclaimed By The Authority Of The People Of Wichita Falls, Texas.
Sealed And Affirmed By The Mayor Of Wichita Falls, Texas, USA
MEMBERSHIPS
2004-2011
Full Member of The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness The Prince Of Wales. London, England
1998-2004
Associate Member of The Royal Society Of Miniature Painters, Sculptors And Gravers
Under the patronage of Her Majesty The Queen. London, England
1994-1995
International Antique Appraisal Society, USA
1982-1991
State Palekh Art Creative Organization
Under The Direct Sponsorship Of The Ministry Of Russian Culture. Palekh, Russia
AUCTIONS
2000
The War And Peace Ball Auction | London, England
Fundraising Auction arranged by Count Tolstoy-Miloslavsky for the Building Appeal Fund of the
London Russian Orthodox Parish of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God.
Auction conducted by Henri Bowring of Sotheby's.
Elena Vladimir Baranoff's miniature "Natasha Rostova At Her First Ball" a scene from Leo Tolstoy's
"War and Peace", sold to a European Private Collector.
1999
The War And Peace Ball Auction | London, England
Fundraising Auction arranged by Count Tolstoy-Miloslavsky for the Building Appeal Fund of the
London Russian Orthodox Parish of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God.
Auction conducted by Duncan McEven of Sotheby's.
Elena Vladimir Baranoff's portrait miniature "Her Imperial Highness, The Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanoff"
sold to a European Private Collector.
1998
The War And Peace Ball Auction | London, England
Fundraising Auction arranged by Count Tolstoy-Miloslavsky for the Building Appeal Fund of the
London Russian Orthodox Parish of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God.
Auction conducted by representative of Sotheby's, London, England.
Elena Vladimir Baranoff's portrait miniature "Tsar Nikolai II, Last Tsar of Russia", sold to a European Private Collector.
1990
Dorotheum Auction House | Vienna, Austria
Elena Vladimir Baranoff's original miniature paintings on the themes of Russian folklore and fairy tales were sold to European Private Collectors.
PRESS REVIEWS
2009
The Scotsman "Art Reviews - BP Portrait Award" By Duncan Macmillan
2004
Press Association News, Ltd. UK "Queen Mother 'Miniature' Is Magic Moment For Charles" By Ju-Lin Tan
2004
Art Lines "Royal Boost For The Painters Of Miniatures"
2004
BBC News, UK Edition "Miniature Madams Grace Gallery"
2004
Seattle Post Intelligencer "1,122 Mini Art Works At Smithsonian" By Carl Hartman, AP
2004
Santa Fe New Mexican "Big Attraction At U.S. Museum: Mini Art Exhibit" By Carl Hartman, AP
2003
El Dorado Gazette | Arts Now "Smaller Is Better At El Dorado Miniature Exhibit" By Mark Arnest
1999
Gentry Design | Northern California's Magazine Of Design Excellence "Small Wonders" By Elizabeth Dossa
1991
Texoma "Art Fit For A Tsar" By Judith K. McGinnis
TELEVISION BROADCASTS
1998
A Documentary Film For PBS, USA
Westminster Central Hall | Westminster Gallery | London, England
Elena Vladimir Baranoff gave an exclusive interview for a documentary film made for PBS, USA,
dedicated to the history of The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers.
1991
Wichita Falls Public Broadcasting
Wichita Falls, Texas
A documentary film dedicated to Palekh Russian Lacquer Art starring
Elena Vladimir Baranoff, a renowned Palekh master.
The film was publicly broadcast in the USA in summer of 1991.
