Past Events 2026
February 2026
Monthly Club Meeting -- "Abstract Realism / Mixed Media" Live Demonstration by Anya Satysheva
Our inspiring demonstration by accomplished artist Anya Satysheva offered club members a deep dive into expressive mixed-media techniques that bridge abstract aesthetics with realistic elements. Club members were drawn to Anya’s artistic approach, which combined texture, color layering, and intuitive mark-making to explore abstract realism. This blend encourages artists of all levels to experiment beyond traditional boundaries. Anya demonstrated how to build depth and mood using various materials from collage and texture mediums to acrylics and inks and oils to give members fresh ideas for their own work. A stream of real-time commentary on composition decisions and visual storytelling through abstract forms continued throughout the demo. From brushes to collage papers and various tools, Anya talked about each and how to apply to one's artwork for dynamic effects. She presented a wealth of useful and practical information about mediums and gels that many of the club members hadn't heard of or used before, and a "miracle solution" that can resurrect hardened brushes so they could be used again!
Towards the end, Anya described a favorite painting and highlighted how to pull elements of representational imagery into abstract backgrounds and overlying patterns to create very unique and layered effects. Anya then ended with more practical information about producing and selling cards with one's own artwork, slowly building an audience on social media, and encouraging words to club members about persistence and staying true to one's own style and artistic voice.
You can find more information and artwork on her website at www.paintbyanya.com and on Instagram.
See Anya's demo on the Sunnyvale Art Club's YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/VxeWPbDRYMc.
January 2026
Monthly Club Meeting -- Live Demonstration by Helena Ljoljic
Helena is a very engaging self-taught painter, graphic designer and educator. Working primarily in acrylics and watercolor, she currently explores abstract and semi-abstract compositions, but continues to create representational work, such as portraits combined with geometric patterns. Her art is driven by play, curiosity, emotion, and a deep love of color. Helena's paintings have been exhibited at the Palo Alto Art Center, the Triton Museum of Art, the Pacific Art League, the Mexican Heritage Plaza, and Works/San José.
For this demo/workshop, Helena showed us the possibilities of working with geometry as a form of art. Using simple tools as the ruler and compass, we followed along with the construction of a grid of overlapping circles, known as the Flower of Life. And Helena graciously shared two beautifully detailed PDFs of her artwork and the process for finishing up the complex circle pattern we started in the club meeting.
You can find more information and images on her website at www.helenaljoljic.com and on Instagram.
See Helena's demo on the Sunnyvale Art Club's YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/SbcCtI8dfr8.
