Irene Paian:
The Artist
and Her Work
Irene Paian (PIE-on) was born into an artistic family. Her father, George Paian,
had shown his ability as an artist while in the Cincinnati School System. As a result, George was introduced to Western artist, Joseph Sharp, who told George
to not give up his art. George took a number of courses at the Cincinnati Art Academy and was offered a scholarship. But the harsh economy of the Great Depression forced George to leave Cincinnati. World War II followed. George Paian never became a professional artist, but nonetheless art was his avocation.
One of Irene Paian's earliest childhood memories is her father painting a landscape. As a child, Irene was given informal lessons in drawing and shading by her father. She began painting at age fifteen. A few years later, her father gave his oil paint box to her because of her interest in painting. Irene Paian now paints acrylic as well as oil paintings. She still uses her father's paint box whenever she paints with oils.
Irene Paian focused on detailed still life paintings early in her career. In 1996, she decided to expand her horizon. One day, while walking along the bank of the East Fork of the Little Miami River, she saw something in the distance that was the answer to her quest for new subject matter. It was a group of young children crossing the shallow river bed. From that encounter emerged her genre paintings featuring children in sunlit water scenes.
Irene Paian recently began a new group of still life paintings, called the Rookwood Series. Unlike her earlier still life paintings, that followed a more traditional arrangement, she now turned to a more contemporary display. The excitement of strong colors is still there, but these paintings have a refreshing simplicity of presentation. One of these paintings, ROOKWOOD TRIO, has been selected for the Governor's Loan Program in Ohio. It will be on display in the Governor's Residence until January 31, 2019. This is the second time Irene Paian has had paintings accepted into the Governor's Loan Program.
The Artist
and Her Work
Irene Paian (PIE-on) was born into an artistic family. Her father, George Paian,
had shown his ability as an artist while in the Cincinnati School System. As a result, George was introduced to Western artist, Joseph Sharp, who told George
to not give up his art. George took a number of courses at the Cincinnati Art Academy and was offered a scholarship. But the harsh economy of the Great Depression forced George to leave Cincinnati. World War II followed. George Paian never became a professional artist, but nonetheless art was his avocation.
One of Irene Paian's earliest childhood memories is her father painting a landscape. As a child, Irene was given informal lessons in drawing and shading by her father. She began painting at age fifteen. A few years later, her father gave his oil paint box to her because of her interest in painting. Irene Paian now paints acrylic as well as oil paintings. She still uses her father's paint box whenever she paints with oils.
Irene Paian focused on detailed still life paintings early in her career. In 1996, she decided to expand her horizon. One day, while walking along the bank of the East Fork of the Little Miami River, she saw something in the distance that was the answer to her quest for new subject matter. It was a group of young children crossing the shallow river bed. From that encounter emerged her genre paintings featuring children in sunlit water scenes.
Irene Paian recently began a new group of still life paintings, called the Rookwood Series. Unlike her earlier still life paintings, that followed a more traditional arrangement, she now turned to a more contemporary display. The excitement of strong colors is still there, but these paintings have a refreshing simplicity of presentation. One of these paintings, ROOKWOOD TRIO, has been selected for the Governor's Loan Program in Ohio. It will be on display in the Governor's Residence until January 31, 2019. This is the second time Irene Paian has had paintings accepted into the Governor's Loan Program.