Gallery
Gallery
“Sunflowers” Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
My first painting is a rendition of Van Gogh’s still life, Sunflowers. The idea of expressing my emotions on canvas came to me when my aunt got diagnosed with brain cancer in October 2020. I started this painting as a therapy and release while helping her remotely with my emotional support and professional advice. My mom, who was her younger sister, rushed to her rescue and stayed by my aunt’s side, while she was undergoing craniotomy to remove the tumor. While she was getting ready to receive radiation, it was the second wave of COVID in Russia. Having to visit multiple facilities to arrange for treatment, running errands, and doing multiple chores, my mom contracted the virus, gave it to her sister, and they passed away two days apart in mid-December 2020. I finished my first painting when they were already gone.
With two missing matriarchs so soon and so tragically, I ended up being the oldest woman in the family in a matter of days. The responsibility overwhelmed me, but at the same time I felt more connected to them than I ever was before. That enlightenment resulted in my choosing of the pen name: Irene Van Celestine, “Irene who is heavenly connected”. That’s the origin of my passion for oil painting and my choice of the signature under each imaginative creation of the heart.
Was presented in “Let’s DEUX it TWOgether at the Louvre”, 2022
Original painting: not for sale
Different size high quality canvas prints are available.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“The Portrait of a Young Warrior/Coming of Age”
Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
This is a portrait of my younger son wearing my leather armor and holding my sword. This expression depicts all the tools and knowledge I have gifted him to be able to survive through life. His face is determined and calm, his hand holds the sword strong and confident.
Original painting: $1000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“The Black Swan”
Oil on Canvas 24”x 36”
Oil on Canvas 24”x 36”
This painting represents a woman suspended in the air above decrepit hands emerging from the depths below. Her pose is like that of a drawn bow and her gaze forward. Her black wings effortlessly carry her over the dark forces reaching up and, as feathers shed from her wings and fall further away, they reveal their true color: white. For deep inside, she is an angel. These feathers hold such power, that the hands dissipate upon their touch.
Was presented in "La Dolce Vita!" exhibit in NYC.
Original painting: $2000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“Facing Her Demon” Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
As a child, I had a recurrent dream of a horrible, huge werewolf chasing me and as I was attempting to escape, I would be jolted awake in terror. Those dreams went away as I grew up, but processing both my mom’s and aunt’s deaths, proved their return. Finally however, instead of running away from the beast, I faced it, fought it and woke up in total exhilaration.
Was presented in "La Dolce Vita!" exhibit in NYC.
Original painting: $1000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“The First Cry”
Oil on Canvas 30”x 30”
Oil on Canvas 30”x 30”
There is a fallen beast on one side of the painting and the swamp which used to be inhabited by scary hands, now replaced by fireflies giving out a warm glow. The woman overcame the beast and her white feathers destroyed the hands, all while she was pregnant with a dragon. She just gave birth to a magnificent creature which represents her power, now without boundaries.
Original painting: $5000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“Mother of all Dragons” Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
This is the first painting with a light background and calm, relaxed pose of the model. The winged woman is looking up in relief and hope for a revitalizing flight.
Was presented in "La Dolce Vita!" exhibit in NYC.
Original painting: $1000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“She Who Holds the Diamond Orlov” Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
This Self-portrait again incorporates the Beast, the Dragon, the Black Swan, and the decrepit hands. Since killing the Beast was a pleasant fiction which couldn’t be accomplished, the next best move is to tame it. The Dragon still watches over her back and the Swan gives her the hope of flight, but the hands now obediently braid her hair. The woman’s hands on the foreground and the diamond Orlov are natural size, 1:1. This represents the woman’s social status and spiritual abilities.
Original painting: $1000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“Queen of the Night”
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
A portrait of my friend with a thoughtful expression on her pretty face, surrounded by flowers of Cereus Grandiflorus, also known as “Queen of the Night”.
Was presented in “Carousel Du Louvre” 2022
Original painting: $750
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“Playing With Fire”
Oil on Canvas 24”x 24”
Oil on Canvas 24”x 24”
Two women in a prehistoric, fantasy setting. They are having a good time, warming up next to the fire, but are being watched by an ominous dragon.
Was presented in "La Dolce Vita!" exhibit in NYC.
Original painting: $2000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“Gemini”
Oil on Canvas 24”x 36”
Oil on Canvas 24”x 36”
A portrait of two friends, neither of whom are Gemini by Zodiac sign or have blood relationship; however, their bond is unbreakable, manifested in their conjointly braided hair and assertive hand hold.
Original painting: $2500
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“The Sunrise Over My World”
Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
This is my first attempt at a seascape as seen on a local beach exactly 7 days after my mother’s passing. It took me a year to reproduce it on canvas and of course, the magic touch of dragons flying over, makes it my world.
Original painting: $1000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“The Beasts”
Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
The bichon is portrayed with horns, the collie with troll's ears, and a sphynx cat flying in the air catching butterflies. These are my real pets with a fantastical interpretation and they are my magic guards.
Was presented in "Side by Side" Venice Art Biennale 2022
Original painting: $1000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“Come and Get Me Dragon King”
Oil on Canvas 24”x 30”
Oil on Canvas 24”x 30”
The woman looks in the mirror with despair and still sees the reflection of her beautiful purple wings which were cut off in real life. She is crying in pain and frustration, but her wings will grow again when the time is right.
Original painting: $2500
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
Illustration to the second verse of Leonard Cohen "Hallelujah"
Oil on Canvas 24" x 36"
Oil on Canvas 24" x 36"
Original painting: $2500
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Healing"
Oil on Canvas 24" x 36"
Oil on Canvas 24" x 36"
Portraits of two winged creatures inserted into Tarot Card inspired image on the background of Son Doong Cave, the largest cave in the world, which I trekked for several days in the Spring of 2019.
Original painting: $2500
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
“Fleur de Lis”
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
This flower is a symbol of purity and was said to have sprung from the tears shed by Eve as she left Eden.
Was presented in "Side by Side" Venice Art Biennale 2022
Original painting: $750
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Esmeralda"
Oil on Canvas 18"x24"
Oil on Canvas 18"x24"
The second painting in the series "Notre Dame de Paris".
Was presented in “Carousel Du Louvre” 2022
Original painting: $1000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Frollo"
Oil on Canvas 22 x 28"
Oil on Canvas 22 x 28"
The third painting in the series "Notre Dame de Paris".
Frollo was a man of high social status and religious hierarchy, consumed by corruption and hatred towards migrants (gypsies). He fell in love with Esmeralda, and when she turned down his advances, accused her of crime she did not commit and ordered her execution. She was hung on Platz de Greiff.
He killed someone he deeply and uncontrollably desired against all his religious beliefs and social customs. So, on this painting he is portrayed with expression of profound suffering. And it's not the flash on fire that hurts the most. His soul is in agony. But Esmeralda did not perish in vain. As her lifeless hand dropped the tambourine, its energy ignited fire, which engulfed treacherous judge as it ascended to the sky to become a blood moon.
Original painting: $3000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Gringoire"
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
The fourth painting in the series "Notre Dame de Paris". High resolution image is coming soon.
Was presented in “Carousel Du Louvre” 2022
Original painting: $750
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Quasimodo"
Oil on Canvas 24 x 30"
Oil on Canvas 24 x 30"
The fifth painting in the series "Notre Dame de Paris".
Original painting: $3000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Purple Rose"
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
Original painting: $750
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Sustenance"
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
Oil on Canvas 16”x 20”
Original painting: $750
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"One Hundred Years of Solitude"
Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
Oil on Canvas 18”x 24”
Original painting: $1000
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Healing-2"
Oil on Canvas 24 x 30"
The first painting in the series "Frozen" as part of larger series "My Princesses".
Original painting: $2500
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Facing Doom"
Oil on Canvas 24 x 30"
The second painting in the series "Frozen" as part of larger series "My Princesses".
Original painting: $2500
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Beauty and The Beast"
Oil on Canvas 24 x 30"
The third painting in the series "My Princesses".
Original painting: $2500
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Purple Wings"
Oil on Canvas 16 x 20"
Original painting: $750
ORIGINAL IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Giraffes"
Oil on Canvas 12" x 12"
Ever since I came back from Kenya 3 years ago, I have been remembering the vital energy I felt emanating from tribal people, amazing and, often, dangerous animals and vast planes of Savannah. Painting “Giraffes” and “Kilimanjaro” definitely brought those feelings back and I was able to quench my thirst for spirituality on them. My next goal when going back to Africa is to summit Kilimanjaro and capture the primal vibration of Tanzania.
Original painting: $350
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Kilimanjaro"
Oil on Canvas 12" x 12"
Ever since I came back from Kenya 3 years ago, I have been remembering the vital energy I felt emanating from tribal people, amazing and, often, dangerous animals and vast planes of Savannah. Painting “Giraffes” and “Kilimanjaro” definitely brought those feelings back and I was able to quench my thirst for spirituality on them. My next goal when going back to Africa is to summit Kilimanjaro and capture the primal vibration of Tanzania.
Original painting: $350
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Mowgli"
Oil on Canvas 12" x 12"
“Jungle book” was one of my favorite while I was growing up. My grandma first read it to me as bedtime story. On those evenings, listening to my nanny, I let my imagination wild pretending being Mowgli, Kaa, Bagheera or Akela as I pleased.
I wish to bring those amazing feelings to my viewers, immerse them into a fascinating world of African and Jungle nature and let them feel the rhythmic vibe of LIFE itself.
Original painting: $350
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders
"Bagheera"
Oil on Canvas 12" x 12"
“Jungle book” was one of my favorite while I was growing up. My grandma first read it to me as bedtime story. On those evenings, listening to my nanny, I let my imagination wild pretending being Mowgli, Kaa, Bagheera or Akela as I pleased.
I wish to bring those amazing feelings to my viewers, immerse them into a fascinating world of African and Jungle nature and let them feel the rhythmic vibe of LIFE itself.
Original painting: $350
Different size high quality canvas prints are available for a fraction of the price.
Contact: vancelestineart@gmail.com for questions or orders