Art

Item Description

Artist Ilona Royce Smithkin is an acclaimed artist, performer, ranconteur and the subject of three acclaimed documentaries. Smithkin was born in born in Poland and studied at the Reimann Schule in Berlin and Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp. She emigrated to the United States in the late 1930s and studied with Robert Brackman at New York City's Art Students' League. An Impressionistic painter noted for her life studies and portraits, she captured many of the 20th century's "greats and non-greats" on canvas, including Ayn Rand, Tennessee Williams and singer Bobby Short. Venturing from her studio above New York's Russian Tea Room, Ilona began exhibiting and teaching in Kentucky, Indiana and South Carolina. Her classes, which offered as much life guidance as art instruction, grew so popular that she was made a Kentucky Colonel by the state government, received sponsorships from private foundations and state arts' commissions, and was presented with keys to numerous cities. She became a frequent judge at art competitions as well as a popular TV and radio guest. Her landmark television series, Ilona's Palette, established the instructional painting genre on PBS, and was followed by Painting with Ilona (which spawned a companion book by the same title) and Finishing Touches with Ilona. Ilona maintains a second studio in Massachusetts, where she continues to teach and exhibit at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM). Eight years ago, she discovered a knack for performing while appearing in a PAAM benefit, and her "Eyelash Cabaret"— in which Ilona performs with her frequent collaborator Zoë Lewis— has become a fixture at performance venues and private functions across the Eastern seaboard. Today, Ilona is experiencing a renaissance. In addition to being the subject of Ari Cohen's recent blockbuster ADVANCED STYLE, Smithkin recently released her book Ilona Royce Smithkin is a force. A force of nature. A force of willpower. A force of woman. At 90 years old, this lifelong artist was spotted by writer and photographer Ari Seth Cohen and featured in his blog and blockbuster documentary, Advanced Style. Since then, Ilona has become a fashion model and New York City icon. Now, at 96, Ilona shares her insights on aging and staying creative in her book JOY DUST: ILONA AT 96. An inspirational collection of reflections from this forever young one-woman zeitgeist.

Item Special Note

Item available for pick up at the PFS Offices at Whaler's Wharf, Provincetown. Winner can also provide an address for shipping.