Clarissa Payne Uvegi is a contemporary figurative artist whose work is noted for its boldness and candor. With a disarming, unabashed honesty and penetrating vision, her paintings often open us up to a deeper understanding of our own emotions, as well as those of the model and artist. This is achieved with a powerfully energetic use of color and line.
"Painting is my meditation. I have a passion for studying the model in order to evoke more than what is seen on the surface, as if to unravel a mystery; to capture the essence/spirit."
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Clarissa has a BA in Art from Douglass College, Rutgers University and a BFA in Communication Design from Parsons School of Design. She has studied drawing and painting at The Art Students League of New York & The National Academy Museum & School.
She lives in New York City with her husband.
EDUCATION
Douglass College, Rutgers University, BA in Art - Studied with Leon Golub & Joan Semmel
Parsons School of Design, BFA in Communication Design – Studied with C.P. Pineles & Henry Wolfe
Art Students League of New York, Studied Drawing with Gustav Rehberger, Peter Cox & Michael Burban, Painting with Peter Cox, Richard Pionk, Jerry Weiss, Sam Goodsell, MaryBeth McKenzie & Dan Gheno
National Academy, Painting with MaryBeth McKenzie, Sculpture with Barney Hodes
EXPERIENCE
2012-Present – Treasurer/Member of The Portrait Project Association - A group of international artists, mostly from New York, who create and model for portraits of each other.
EXHIBITS & HONORS
2022 - The Portrait Project Group Exhibit, December 3, 2022 - January 30, 2023, The Hudson Park Library Gallery. 66 Leroy Street, NYC
2020 - “Parent Portraits” exhibition, May 11 - June 8, 2019, Westbeth Gallery, 55 Bethune Street, NYC
2019 – Grant Winners Exhibition, October 2019, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, NYC
2017 – Doreta Kesson Masterton Grant Winner
2017 – The Portrait Project Group Exhibit – "Artists Portraying Artists", May 6 - 20, 2017, Westbeth Gallery, 55 Bethune Street, NYC
2015 – Parsons School Of Design, Juried Alumni Exhibit, Arnold and Sheila Aronson Galleries, Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, NYC
2015 – Paintings & Excerpts from Article in "Lines from the League", chosen for fundraiser mailing for The Art Students League of New York
2014 – Featured in "Lines from the League”, Quarterly Publication of The Art Students League of New York
2013 – The Portrait Project Group Exhibit – "Artists & Posers", Alex Adam Gallery, Harlem, NY
2013 – Parsons School Of Design, Juried Alumni Exhibit, Arnold and Sheila Aronson Galleries, Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, NYC
2013 – National Academy Museum & School, "Creative Mischief" Open House Exhibition, NYC
2012 – National Academy Museum & School, Open House Exhibition, NYC
2012 – Peoria Art Guild, "Nude Attitude" Exhibit, Peoria, Illinois
2010 – Exhibition of Works by Recipients of The 2009 Merit Scholarships, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, NYC
2009-2010 – Exhibit at The National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, October 22, 2009 - September 6, 2010
2009 – Finalist, Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2009, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
2009 – Recipient of the Susan Gray Memorial Scholarship
2009 – "Waterworks", Exhibit on the SS LILAC, Pier 40, NYC
2009, 2006 – Received Red Dot (Best in Show) in Group Show, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, NYC
2009, 2006 – Red Dot Exhibits, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, NYC
2004 – Juried Members’ Exhibition, Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, NYC