Born in Ukraine, Vlasta Smola has made art the fabric of her life. After moving to the United States to receive her MA in Communication Arts, she had a brief corporate career in marketing and graphic design. Longing to rekindle her passion for art, she returned to her painting aspirations.

This reunion brought a new direction for her life’s work: To create inspired imaginative art. A frequent subject of Vlasta's narrative are birds and their real or mythological interaction with the human universe. She strives to depict the dualistic nature of reality and conscious / subconscious states of mind. She creates examples of modern mythology, and her paintings often explore a dream-conscious state designed to increase a depth of perception and develop a poetic world view.

Beauty is the main reason and purpose for Vlasta's art. Beauty is power. Beauty is mystery. It denies common sense. Vlasta spares no obstacle to both challenge and express the power and mystery of beauty.

EDUCATION

• The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, Figure Drawing, Character Illustration, Fashion Illustration
• The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, MA in Communication Arts with Honors
• Chernovtsy National University, Ukraine, BA in English with Honors

SELECT EXHIBITIONS

2023

• Art Fusion Galleries, St. Petersburg, FL, International Art Competition Group Exhibition
• Soft Water Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL, Group Exhibition
• Five Deuces Galleria, St. Petersburg, FL, "Unreal Surreal" Group Exhibition

2019

• Curly Tale Gallery, Chicago, IL, "Just Bee... Wonderfully Weird Wonders"
• Artist Portfolio Magazine, issue 42

2018

• Curly Tale Gallery, Chicago, IL, "Wonderfully Weird Wonders"

2017

• Curly Tale Gallery, Chicago, IL, "Wonderfully Weird Wonders"

2016

• Limner Gallery, Hudson, NY, "Sextet" group show

2015

• Dubuque Museum of Art Biennial Exhibition, Dubuque, IA
• Orcas Island BirdFest's "All Things Birds and Beautiful" Art Sale, Orcas Island, WA

2014

• The Academy of Fine Arts, Lynchburg, VA
• Art Renewal Center, International ARC Salon Competition, NJ
• Limner Gallery, Hudson, NY

2013

• San Diego Art Institute, 52nd International Exhibition, San Diego, CA
• Art Design Consultants, Cincinnati, OH
• Strange Figurations, Limner Gallery, Hudson, NY (awarded a full page in Direct design book by Slow Art Productions)
• CLWAC 117th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, New York, NY

2012

• Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, Miniatures and More Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM
• Woman Made Gallery, Inspired by..., Chicago, IL

2011

• The American Art Awards, on-line competition and art gallery
• Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, Miniatures and More Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM
• Maryland Federation of Art, Strokes of Genius: A Fine Art Painting Exhibition, Annapolis, MD
• Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, The 100th Exhibition, Mystic, CT
• Academy of Fine Arts, National Juried Exhibition, Lynchburg, VA
• Kentucky Art Speaks K.A.S. Gallery, Express Yourself Show, Louisville, KY

2010

• International Society of Acrylic Painters, 13th Annual ISAP International Open Exhibition, Santa Cruz, CA
• Katharine Butler Gallery, 5th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Sarasota, FL
• Woman Made Gallery, Beyond Audubon, Chicago, IL
• Orange County Center for Contemporary Art International Show Revisiting Beauty, Orange County, CA
• Chicago Artists' Coalition, 12th Annual Chicago Art Open, Chicago, IL
• North Valley Art League 26th Annual National Show, Redding, CA
• Elmhurst Artists' Guild 2010 Premier Show, Elmhurst, IL
• 97th Annual Exhibition, Allied Artists of America, National Arts Club, New York, NY

2009

• AWA National Juried Competition, American Women Artists, South Street Art Gallery, Easton, MD

2008

• 11th Annual Chicago Art Open, Chicago Artists' Coalition, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
• Municipal Art League of Chicago Biennial-Midwest Fine Art Competition Exhibition, Chicago, IL
• Woman Made Gallery, 11th International Open, Chicago, IL (Image selected for exhibition announcement)
• Art Against AIDS, the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, Chicago, IL

2007

• Acquisition Exhibition, the Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago, IL