Fine Art, Oil Painting, Acrylic Painting - Andrea Novak Studios

Email Contact: Andrea@anovakstudios.com

Artist Statement

Like it or not, life is in constant motion. There have been so many special moments in my life where I find myself stopping, closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and praying time will slow. My mind tries to capture all the details; all the smells, the sounds, and the emotions that go along with it. Sadly, we are well aware that time is in control and the best we can do is just take in as much as we can to make a solid memory.

This is one of the challenges of being human and it’s probably why we are consumed with storytelling. We love a good movie or book or quite simply even sitting and listening to someone recall “facts” from lives lived and encountered experiences. We try to illustrate life, to make sense of the past and imagine the future.

I am a visual storyteller.

My work will sometimes navigate the genre of fantasy inspired by myths, fairy tales, or legends written by cultures attempting to teach timeless lessons of morality or the consequences of human behavior. This fascination derives much of its energy from my perception of contemporary events and lessons unlearned. It is my hope that the viewer takes time to investigate why I have placed animals in awkward interactions with each other, with objects, or even with themselves and to derive their own story.

My more recent work involves a look back for simple moments. I do not always capture these times as a photograph; beautifully staged and centered with perfect smiles. Memories don’t hold still and recall is fuzzy and unclear, placing focus only on the pieces of the story that impact us the most. It is my goal to tell each memory with blurred edges, faces that are covered or turned away from the viewer, colors that are exaggerated and painted with fluid motion, and objects - even spaces that are not in line with what our minds see as reality.

Narrative Bird and Animal Paintings

The Crow and the Peacock - A Legend of Betrayal

Mixed Media on Wood, 48 x 24"

Completed 2025

Many cultures share a legend of a time before birds had color. One story is of the crow & the peacock who, being friends, agreed to paint one another. The crow went first, painting his friend with beautiful details in the most vivid blues and greens. When the peacock saw his incredible beauty he was consumed

Betrayal

Oil on Wood, 55 x 28

2013

Human nature is complicated. We are flawed and no matter how we try to think of "The Greater Good", we often fall short. This reactionary piece expresses a fear that I have of the choices we make and the impact that those decisions may have on the lives of our children.

The vulture is a common symbol of greed while the pelican is one of charity. I have placed "gree

Heedless

Oil on Paper, 23 x 27"

2024

Absolution - An Aesop Fable of the Stork and the Fox

Mixed Media, 11 x 14"

2024

In this fable, the fox invites the stork to dinner. The trickster serves his friend soup from a shallow plate, making it impossible for the stork to eat due to his long beak. The stork doesn't complain, instead, in return of the favor, invites the fox to dinner the next day. You can imagine the lesson learned when fox fin

Cardinal

Watercolor, Acrylic, and Colored Pencil

6 x 6"

2024

Faith

Oil on Wood, 18 x 16"

2013

Assemblage

Warmth and Protection

Acrylic Assemblage, 12 x 24"

2016

Warmth and Protection was inspired by legends explaining how the robin came to bear a red breast. Many describe a young child, in the extreme cold, being warmed only by a small flame. As the fire threatens to burn out, a robin comes to fan the coals and keep the flame and the child alive.

One such legend, A Christmas Stocking by Louis Betts Egan,

Kingfisher

Acrylic Assemblage with Resin, 8 x 15"

2019

SOLD

Kingfisher

Acrylic Assemblage, 5 x 7"

2016

SOLD

Artist Statement

Figurative Work

Figurative Work

Narrative Bird and Animal Paintings

Pet Portraits

Assemblage

Other Work

Artist Statement

Figurative Work

Figurative Work

Narrative Bird and Animal Paintings

Pet Portraits

Assemblage

Other Work

This website uses cookies.