IRIET PESHKESS
As an artist, I feel that I give form and expression to the emotion associated with interactions between people and their surroundings. The story drives the painting, and it is always a human story even when the primary subject is an animal, or the sunset. The stories that draw my attention are universal, the setting is often the California coast.
Background
I came to art later in life. I received my doctorate in 1981 from Michigan State University and have been a practicing clinical psychologist in Orange County since 1982. I began painting in 2000 with classes and then exhibiting my work. I left a lucrative practice in psychology in 2015 to work full time as an artist because it was an extension of connecting with people and their stories but in a different way, with a different medium and a different language.
As a psychologist, I have always been fascinated with the intricacies of relationships and the tenderness of feelings expressed in a casual touch or glance. The stories people tell with their body and stance and language.
I started taking art classes in 2000, at Irvine Valley College, Orange Coast College and Saddleback Community College, and have continued learning from workshops around the country. While I work in acrylic, watercolor, and pastel, I especially like the challenge of digital media. I taught myself to paint digitally using Corel Painter. "Digital painting is very much like the interactions with people, it is not one-dimensional, I can move from oil to acrylic to watercolor to pens - all in a single painting. I can use realism or expressionism, be tight or loose - all within one painting. Just like with real media, I get into the zone and get lost in the story.”
I am proud to say that I am an award-winning artist that has shown in both group and solo exhibitions regionally and nationally. I have several works in public places around Orange County. I am honored to have my work in private collections all over the world.
2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, I am looking forward to being able to get out and do the art fairs again, In the meantime I have been busy working in my studio and will be sharing new work here on my website.
Art in Public Spaces
Santa Ana- downtown street banner 2019-current
Costa Mesa- utility box- 2018- current
Education
Bachelor of Arts from Tel Aviv University – 1974
PhD from Michigan State University – 1981
Numerous Art Classes from Orange Coast College, Saddleback Community College, Irvine Valley College and Digital Art Academy – 2000 to Present
Awards & Recognitions
Second Place- Orange County Fair- graphics digital painting July-Aug 2019
Honorable Mention- Orange County Fair - graphics digital painting July-Aug 2018
Third Place- Orange County Fair- graphics digital painting July-Aug 2017
First Place- Orange County Fair- graphics digital painting July-Aug 2016
Third Place- Orange County Fair- digital photography July-Aug 2016
Second Place- Juried Competition- Orange County Fine Arts Association Artist Eye Competition 2015
Juror Award- Newport Beach Art Exhibit 2014
First Place – Orange County Fine Arts competition 2014
Shows & Exhibits
2019- San Diego County fair
2019- Orange County fair-(2nd Place)
2019-La Jolla Art and Wine Fair-juried exhibit
2019 Irvine Studio Arts Festival-juried exhibit
2019-Beverly Hills Art Show-juried exhibit
2018- Orange County fair-(Honorable mention)
2018- Irvine Studio Arts Festival-juried exhibit
2018- Newport Beach Library- solo exhibit
2017- John Wayne Airport- solo exhibit
2017- Irvine Art in the Park-juried exhibit
2017-Northpark Holiday Boutique
2017-Palm Springs Art Fair
2017-La Jolla Art and Wine Fair
2017- Orange County fair-( third place)
2016-Northpark Holiday Boutique
2016-Palm Springs Art Fair
2016-La Jolla Art and Wine Fair
2016- Orange County fair-(First place and third place)
2016-present- Artist Eye gallery artist
2016- Showcase Gallery artist
2015- Showcase Gallery Artist Eye Show
2015-Northpark Holiday Boutique
2015-Palm Springs Art Fair
2015-La Jolla Art and Wine Fair
2015-San Diego Old World Art fair
2015 Orange County Fine Arts- Featured Artist
2015 Irvine Fine Arts Festival
2015-Beverly Hills Art Show
2014-Newport Beach Arts Exhibition-group exhibit
2014-Irvine Fine Arts Festival
2013-Merage JCC art gallery-solo exhibit
2013- Las Laguna Gallery- Women in Art- juried group exhibit
2013-TAG Bergamot Station LA – juried group exhibit
2012-Bistango-group exhibit
2012- Irvine Art in the Park-juried exhibit
2010-Orange County Fair-juried exhibit
2010- Irvine Art in the Park-juried exhibit
2009-Orange County Fair- juried exhibit
2009- Irvine Art in the Park-juried exhibit
2009-Avant Garden Gallery-group exhibit
2008- Huntington Beach Art Center-general exhibit
2007- John Wayne Airport- solo exhibit
2007- Showcase Gallery- juried exhibit
2006- All Media –A Southern California Regional Juried Exhibition- Irvine Fine Arts Center
2005- All Media –A Southern California Regional Juried Exhibition- Irvine Fine Arts Center
2004- All Media –A Southern California Regional Juried Exhibition- Irvine Fine Arts Center
2004- North Showcase Gallery- juried exhibit
2004- Showcase Gallery- juried exhibit
2004- Woodbridge Arts and Crafts Day in the Park
2002- Student Art Show -IVC a juried exhibit
