About the Artist

My paintings convey a sense of light, atmosphere and time. Extensive use of palette knife; scraping and repainting, produces a gritty  texture. I create complex narrative still life paintings that connect the audience's  shared experience and memory by giving the stage to the unseen items that populate our daily life. Through these paintings I address the themes of relationships, mortality, nostalgia and otherness. 

I work both in oil and watercolor, in the studio and en plein air.

I have exhibited nationally in the US as well as an international show in London, England  with the New English Art Club in 2024. I have also received some grants and did two month-long artist residencies in 2023. In awarding First Place to my still life watercolor, Memento Mori, Awards Judge Marie Natale commented on my work:

I was first drawn to the very painterly effects of this piece: the combination of soft and hard edges, the effects of light on the glass,

the rendering of a variety of textures from the fringe to the metal pot to the brilliant white accents on the fringed cloth. But the overall composition also played its part brilliantly, directing my eye throughout this lovely still life. With harmonious colors and a pitcher that continually encourages a second look at the painting, Orna’s curved and diagonal lines wove my attention easily through this casual arrangement.

My professional associations include memberships in The Art Students League of New York City, CoArt Gallery, Staunton VA, Oil Painters of America and NOAPS.