About the Artist


Nadine Yura - Biography

Nadine Yura - Artist Statement and Biography

Artist's Statement

 

My work explores the connection between emotion and visual expression, whether through the luminous depths of oil paint, the gentle transparency of watercolor, or the bold immediacy of ink on paper. Each piece is an invitation—a moment where color, gesture, and form converge to create something that resonates beyond the surface.

 

Drawing from a gestural impressionistic approach that sometimes ventures into abstraction, I seek to capture not just what I see, but what I feel. My palette ranges from vibrant, saturated hues that pulse with energy to subtle monochromatic studies that speak in whispers. This versatility allows me to respond authentically to each subject, whether it's the ever-changing moods of the New Jersey coastline or an intimate still life that reveals hidden stories.

 

My artistic journey has been shaped by the influences of Georgia O'Keeffe's bold intimacy, Picasso's revolutionary vision, and the guidance of mentors like Lloyd McNeill and Ibrahim Noor Shariff. Yet my goal remains deeply personal: to create work that connects with viewers across different tastes and experiences, touching something universal in the human experience through the language of art.

 

Biography

 

Nadine is a contemporary painter whose gestural impressionistic style captures emotion through bold color and confident brushwork.

 

Based in Barnegat, New Jersey, her work draws inspiration from the coastal landscapes of Long Beach Island and the rich artistic traditions of American modernism. Nadine's artistic talent emerged early, recognized by teachers who were struck by the sophistication of her childhood drawings. This early promise flourished through dedicated study, culminating in a BFA from Rutgers University in 1977, where she worked under the mentorship of professors Lloyd McNeill and Ibrahim Noor Shariff. Her education laid the foundation for a distinctive style that balances spontaneous gesture with technical mastery.

 

Working primarily in oils, watercolors, and ink, Nadine creates paintings that range from vibrant, expressive works to subtle monochromatic studies. Her subjects vary widely, but all share a common thread: the artist's ability to infuse each piece with emotional resonance and visual energy. Her approach bridges impressionistic observation with abstract expression, creating work that speaks to diverse audiences.

 

Nadine has exhibited extensively throughout New Jersey and beyond, participating in numerous juried exhibitions and solo shows. Notable venues include the Beach Haven Borough Hall Gallery, Ocean County Libraries, and the Torche' Gallerie in Belmar. Her achievements include multiple "Judge's Choice Awards" from the Pine Shore Art Association and "Best in Show" at the Bergen Music & Art Festival in 2006. Her work has been featured in print publications and is held in private collections across the United States. A dedicated student of her craft, Nadine continues her artistic education through ongoing studies in figure drawing and painting with local instructors and online art courses. She is a member of the American Impressionist Society and the Pine Shore Art Association, actively participating in the regional art community that has nurtured her development as an artist.

 

Currently residing in Barnegat, Nadine finds constant inspiration in her proximity to the beaches and changing light of Long Beach Island, as well as still life elements that continue to inform and energize her evolving body of work.

 

Selected Exhibitions Solo Exhibitions

 

2023  Barnegat Library, Barnegat, NJ (May) • "Summers Retrospective," Surf City Library, NJ (November)

2022  Ocean County Library

2005  A.P.A Fine Art Gallery, Milford, PA

2004  Waterwheel Cafe, Milford, PA

 

Selected Group Exhibitions

 

2026 - "All the Small Things 2026" Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences, Loveladies, NJ

2025 - "Summer at the Shore" Noyes Museum & PSAA at Seaview Hotel Gallery, Galloway, NJ 

2025  "Blue" Exhibition, Beach Haven Borough Hall Gallery, LBI, NJ

2024  PSAA Group Show, Tuckerton Borough Hall, Tuckerton, NJ

2023  "Lazy Days," Beach Haven Borough Hall Gallery, LBI, NJ

2022  "Art Harvest Show," Pine Shore Art Association, Manahawkin, NJ

 2022 "Off Season Bliss," Beach Haven Borough Hall, Beach Haven, NJ 

OCAG Expressions Show, Ocean County Library, Toms River Branch

2019  Art Harvest Show, Pine Shore Art Association, Manahawkin, NJ

2015  Torche' Gallerie Fall Exhibition, Belmar, NJ

2013  Atlantic City Boardwalk Art Show, Atlantic City, NJ Awards and Recognition 

2022 Judge's Choice Award, Art Harvest Show, Pine Shore Art Association 

2021 Judge's Choice Award, Spring Art Show, Pine Shore Art Association 

2019 Judge's Choice Award, Art Harvest Show, Pine Shore Art Association 

2006 Best in Show, 5th Annual Bergen Music & Art Festival, Paramus, NJ

 2003 Outstanding Achievement, LBI Art Foundation Summer Members, Students & Faculty Juried Show

 

Education

 

• BFA Rutgers University, 1977

• Continuing Education Local art classes and online art courses (1977-present)

• Current Studies Figure drawing and painting

 

Professional Memberships

 

• American Impressionist Society

• Pine Shore Art Association