It is an honor to serve as juror for the fourth annual Living Canvas. I have had the privilege of participating in this exhibition since its inception, and returning now in the role of juror feels both meaningful and humbling.

The human figure has been at the heart of artistic practice throughout history. From the earliest sculptures and cave paintings to contemporary works that challenge and redefine our understanding of identity, the figure remains one of the most profound and enduring subjects in art. Studying and representing the human form is not simply an exercise in anatomy or technique — it is a way of exploring beauty, vulnerability, strength, emotion, and our shared humanity.

For centuries, mastery of the figure has been regarded as one of the highest achievements in art. Yet technical skill alone is never enough. The most memorable works are those that transcend representation and reveal something essential about the human experience. The figure becomes a language through which artists communicate ideas, emotions, and truths that words often cannot express. As I jury this exhibition, I will be looking for works that demonstrate a strong command of craft, but equally for works that possess a distinct voice and emotional resonance. I am drawn to pieces that show sincerity of vision, confidence in execution, and the power to move, surprise, or linger in the viewer’s mind.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Mia St. Clair, whose vision and dedication created Living Canvas and helped it grow into a prominent and eagerly anticipated event in Pittsburgh’s art community. Her commitment to figurative art has fostered an inspiring space for artists to share their work and for audiences to engage with one of art’s most enduring traditions. I look forward to discovering the many ways artists continue to celebrate and reinvent the human figure in this year’s exhibition.

Yelena Lamm was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she received her formal art training at the N. K. Roerich Fine Arts School. Since 1995, she has lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, working primarily in oil and dedicated to the classical tradition of representational art. Yelena is a Signature Member of Oil Painters of America (OPA), American Women Artists (AWA), American Impressionist Society (AIS), National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS), and Society of Animal Artists (SAA). Her work has received numerous awards in national and international juried exhibitions, including honors from the Art Renewal Center and the Portrait Society of America. In addition to exhibiting extensively, she teaches art workshops throughout the United States and Canada, as well as online. She has served as a juror for online exhibitions organized by OPA and NOAPS. Yelena has been involved with Living Canvas since its inaugural year and was honored to receive the exhibition’s Juror's Award three years in a row. She is delighted to serve as juror for the fourth annual Living Canvas and to celebrate the enduring tradition and continuing evolution of figurative art.