As we grow older, our sense of wonder and anticipation seems to wither. Wouldn’t it be great to stay in that naïve state of mind where everything was an adventure and the excitement of life never ended? Perhaps realist painter Alexandra Tyng has the solution in answering this question, by keeping the mysteries of the world close enough to taste, but just beyond reach.
Born in Rome, Italy and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tyng chose an academic career instead of going to art school. Hindsight is always a learning tool, but also creates a picture of one’s true self. Tyng had dabbled in drawings as a child, mainly with houses that intrigued her with their history, architectural design and the occupants. She would draw the houses from different angles and imagine what type of mysteries they held. These questions spread to the fascination of people and she felt the need to define her feelings on paper.
Mainly self-taught, Alexandra has spent the last 20 years in reading books and learning from artists on how to turn her perceptions into reality through art and the hard work has paid off.
She has won the Certificate of Excellence Award through the Portrait Society of America in 2007 and again in 2012. The International ARC Salon has recognized her work in realism numerous times.
Hosted in several publications, such as The Artist’s Magazine and International Artists, her work catches the eye of anyone that appreciates fine art. “The Source†is a favorite example of how Alexandra looks at life through a different perspective:
    “As I planned this painting the symbolism became clear. Water is the source of life—literally, “water of life.†The girl is on a journey. She’s climbing uphill from a tamer place to a more tangled, difficult place. She’s going from where the water is visible to where it’s barely visible to where it actually emerges from the ground into the light, from unconsciousness to consciousness. She is going from innocence to awareness. The house is shrouded in mystery and the girl is drawn to it. She doesn’t want to bring it into the light because that would dispel its mystery; she would rather envelop herself in the mystery and derive inspiration from it.†Â
In Tyng’s landscape paintings, almost all of the scenes are created from an elevated perspective. Again, perspective is the main reason for displaying as much realism as possible and helping the mind to view a picture in a different point of view.
The figurative paintings are intriguing and capture more than just a replica of individuals in movement. Communication and interaction are quite apparent in the display of family and friends that are popular in Alexandra’s paintings.
Portraits have become Tyng’s signature to many clients, as she is able to capture more than just a picture. A special type of spirit seems to resonate from artist to subject and vice versa, creating life to an otherwise staunch portrait. Tyng attributes this aspect to her parents, who were both architects, in being able to see a commission as much more than an assignment, but a shared collaboration of vision.
Whether you enjoy portraits, figurative, landscape or plein air oils, artist Tyng has become noted for adding that certain spark that keeps the wonder of a small child alive, but you are highly encouraged to decide for yourself what makes her work magical: www.alexandratyng.com.
Editor’s note: For the digital print verizon, click on below or see http://www.scribd.com/arttoartpalette
Portrait of Alexandra Tyng-United States-Pennsylvania-Europe-Rome, Italty
