Sonya Sklaroff

“Making art is my purpose.  More than just what I do, art is a big part of who I am.  Painting is how I express my true self, the authentic me.

Sometimes people ask how I find inspiration.  I don’t.  Inspiration finds me.  I can wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and find that it is inspiration looking back at me, as somehow the face reflected just doesn’t feel familiar and I paint it to capture that unnerving feeling.  Months into the pandemic I came across my neighbor who hadn’t shaved since the lockdown began – the portrait begged to be painted.  Trapped in my apartment with the city shut down, I daydreamed of going dancing. So ballroom dancing on a twilit rooftop emerged on my canvas.

How fortunate I am to know, without question, my role in this world.  How grateful I am to find so many people who relate to the stories I tell through my work.  How lucky I am that my profession can draw creativity from the world around us in times both good and bad.”

Sonya Sklaroff lives and works in New York City. Her paintings have been exhibited worldwide in galleries and museums and are represented in public and private collections including the Phillips Museum of Art, the Cahoon Museum of Art, the Consul General of France, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brown-Forman Corporation (parent company of Jack Daniels), FactSet Research Systems, Clarins USA, Fannie Mae, the US Department of Homeland Security, and the US Department of State.

She received her BFA in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and participated in RISD’s prestigious European Honors Program. She earned her MFA in painting from Parsons School of Design. She has completed numerous artist-in-residency programs including Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Ragdale Foundation, Vermont Studio Center, Santa Fe Art Institute, and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s World Views Project, where Sklaroff was awarded a 9-month studio space on the 91st floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center.

Sklaroff was awarded the prestigious Anonymous was a Woman grant from the New York Foundation for the Arts in 2020.

Her first artist book, “Sonya Sklaroff” was published in 2014, which includes an introduction by the celebrated best-selling author, Harlan Coben.

Her second limited edition artist monograph, “Pandemic Paintings” was published in 2021, with a preface by celebrity chef, Rachael Ray.

Her third artist monograph, “A Love Letter to New York City” was released at her solo exhibition at the Algonquin in April 2022.

Her fourth artist monograph, “Escape to the Garden” was published in 2024 and includes over 70 colorful garden and flower paintings, mostly completed en plein air, that Sklaroff began during the pandemic and has worked on over the years.

“Secrets of New York” her one-woman exhibition was held at The Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel in 2023. It highlighted parts of New York City that is unfamiliar to many. A color catalog accompanied the exhibition with a forward by theoretical physicist and best-selling author, Lisa Randall.

“NoHo Art Nexus: Outside In” was Sklaroff’s monumental solo show where she transformed her NoHo neighborhood into her personal art gallery for the month of May, 2024. 19 different locations exhibited her paintings and works on paper.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND PUBLICATIONS

2024

Volpe, Gianna, Heart of the East End WLIW-NPR, Morning Radio Show Interview, August 13.

James Lane Post, Montauk Beach House Presents Escape to the Garden Solo Exhibition by Sonya Sklaroff, August 8.

Andrews, David, Hamptons.com, “Escape to the Garden - Solo Exhibition by Sonya Sklaroff premieres at Montauk Beach House”, August 7.

Pergament, Annika, NY1 Spectrum, “Contemporary Artist Turns NoHo into Art Gallery”, May 17.

Culgan, Rossilynne Skena, TimeOut New York, “This Entire NYC Neighborhood has turned into an Art Gallery”, May 9.

Bold Journey Magazine, “Meet Sonya Sklaroff”, January 9.

2023

Torlen, Michael, “Studio Seeing: A Practical Guide to Drawing, Painting, and Perception”, The University of Chicago Press. Pages 93-95. September.

Mood, Ian, “Sonya Sklaroff Interview: We Must Create”, Podcast, September 20.

Canvas Rebel, “Meet Sonya Sklaroff”. August 31.

Conlin, Lauren, PopStyleTV, “One on One with Contemporary Artist Sonya Sklaroff”, August 7.

James Lane Post, “Sonya Sklaroff Hosted Art Reception at Montauk Beach House”, August 5.

The City Life Org, “Artist Sonya Sklaroff’s Selected Works at The Montauk Beach House”, July 31.

Perry, Brianna, Secret NYC, “Spill a Secret at this New Exhibition & it May be Painted & Displayed”, May 8.

Bowling, Suzanna, Times Square Chronicles, “Sonya Sklaroff: Secrets of New York”, May 6.

Randall, Lisa, Secrets of New York, Sonya Sklaroff’s artist’s catalog introduction, May.

YRB Magazine, Event Recap: Sonya Sklaroff - Secrets of New York Opening Reception, May 4.

Skena Culgan, Rossilynne, TimeOut New York, “Share a Secret at this New NYC Art Show, and the Artist Might Acually Paint It”, April 27.

Sutton Place Social Magazine, “Artistry in the City: Sonya Sklaroff”, Issue #46, March.

Forsythe, Chandler, “Neighborhood Spotlight: Stepping Into Sonya Sklaroff’s New York”, Noho Voice, February 9.

2022

The City Life Org, “Oldest Theatrical Organization Taps Sonya Sklaroff for Portrait of First Woman Member”, December 19.

Kreth, Kelly, “Keller Williams NYC Transforms 7.7 Million Upper East Side Townhome into Art Gallery”, Patch.com, October 27.

The City Life Org, “New York Artist Displays Pandemic Inspired Art at 7.7 Million Townhouse”, October 18.

YRB Magazine, “Artist Sonya Sklaroff Exhibits Art at 7.7 Million Townhouse”, October 19.

Goldsmith, Margie, “Quintessential New York Hotel: The Algonquin Reopens”, Forbes, September 6.

Quarles, Alicia, “Artist Sonya Sklaroff’s Pandemic Paintings”, Good Morning America (GMA3) interview, July 13.

Girardi, Ava, “Sonya Sklaroff Uses Art to Overcome the Dark Times of the Covid 19 Pandemic”, Enspire Magazine, June 26.

Galambosova, Caroline, “Sonya Sklaroff’s Hidden New York”, Daily Art Magazine, June 9.

Schuster, Lauren, “A Love Letter to New York City”, Mann About Town, May/June.

NY1 News, “A Love Letter to NYC”, TV interview, April 17.

Moreno, Corisa, “How We Create”, Podcast, April 18.

Sklaroff, Sonya, “A Love Letter to New York City”, Limited Edition Artist Monograph, April.

Taylor, Elizabeth, “Artist Sonya Sklaroff Opens New Exhibit at Algonquin Hotel”, Times Square Chronicles, April 8.

Wylde, Kaitlyn, “What’s So Great About Great Barrington? A Weekend Guide to the Quietly Cool Berkshire Town”, Vogue, January 3.

The Berkshire Eagle, “Winter Group Show Opens at Bernay Fine Arts”, January 21.

2021

Ray, Rachael, preface, Pandemic Paintings: Sonya Sklaroff, Meridian Printing, November.

Mitow, Alex, “How Teaching Can Benefit Your Art Career”, Superfine Podcast, December 6.

Mencia, Cecilia, “Making Art in Pandemic Times”, DCTrending, December.

Mendler, Adam, “Communicate from the Heart: Interview with Artist Sonya Sklaroff”, AdamMendler.com, November.

The Berkshire Eagle, “5 exhibitions to see at small Berkshire art galleries before Dec. 5” November 17.

Sylvan, Edward, “Contemporary American Painter Sonya Sklaroff: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist”, Authority Magazine, November 9.

Sohu.com, “Sonya Sklaroff”, October 23.

Krzanik, Amy, “Bits & Bytes: New Exhibit at Bernay Fine Art”, The Berkshire Edge, October 22.

Bird, Jacquie, “Spotlight on Sonya Sklaroff”, Podcast, July 29.

Luvan Magazine, “Inspiracion: Sonya Sklaroff”, August 18.

Real, Carolina, “New York’s True Colors: Sonya Sklaroff Interview”, ArtSummit.com, August 12.

Inwood Gazette, “Portrait of the Artist”, June 19.

The Berkshire Eagle, “Visions of ‘Summertime’ on display at Bernay Fine Art”, June 10.

Doyle, Hilary, Little Studio Assistants Artist Interview, March 6.

Krzanik, Amy, “New Location, New Exhibit for Great Barrington’s Bernay Fine Art”, The Berkshire Edge, February 12.

New School News, “Sonya Sklaroff, MFA Fine Arts ‘00 and Faculty Member, Paints the Pandemic”, January 12.

2020

Parsons Notes, “First Year Faculty Sonya Sklaroff Interview in All Arts”, December.

Bousquette, Isabelle, “Artists Struggle to Promote their Work on Instagram amid Algorithm Changes, Censorship and Blocked Hashtag”, Medium.com, December 24.

All Arts, “Artists of Instagram: Meet Oil Painter Sonya Sklaroff”, December 10.

VoyageHouston Magazine, “Meet Sonya Sklaroff: Artist”, December 2.

Sweeten, Natasha, “Interview: The Artist in the Studio”, @theartistinthestudio, September.

Schwartz, Benjamin, “Into the Light”, Documentary Film, September.

Choi, Jinny, “In Conversation: Sonya Sklaroff”, Gamma Mama! Magazine, July.

Edelman, Emily, “Bernay Fine Art to Open Unfinished Business”, The Berkshire Edge, June.

Karin Bergquist and Nathan McDowell, "An Interview with Sonya Sklaroff", The Covid Arts Project, May.

2019

Kevin Fitzpatrick & Joanna Leban, “Episode 30: Painter Sonya Sklaroff”, Joanna & Kevin’s Big Show Podcast, April 29.

2018

VoyageHouston Magazine, Meet Sonya Sklaroff, July 5.

Moriarty Magazine, Marie Ange Horlaville Interview, Second Issue, Geneva Switzerland, January.

2017    

Moriarty Magazine, Featured Artist, Premier Issue, Geneva, Switzerland, June.

2016    

“Le Ciel Parisien de Sonya Sklaroff”. AirFrance Madame, June-July.

Trucco, Terry, “New Paintings by Sonya Sklaroff Transform Sofitel New York (Again)”.  OvernightNewYork.com, October 14.

De Luca, Mariagrazia, “Sonya Sklaroff come ho catturato la luce di New York”, ilmioviaggioanewyork.com, June 7.

2015    

Fevre, Emmanuel, “Le New-York Lumineux de Sonya Sklaroff”, Cote Yvelines, March 16.

2014    

Coben, Harlan, preface, Sonya Sklaroff, book of paintings, Livre d’Art, March.

Oertel, Pierre, New York Art City, documentary film.

2012    

Lutteroth, Gala, Water From Above, documentary film, May.

Van Siclen, Bill, “I Love the Light of New York,” The Providence Journal, May 13.

2011     

Beatrice Dillies, “New York, Saint-Clar: Deux Phares pour les Peintres”, www.ladepeche.fr, December 28.

Florence Benzacar and Silvie Burban, “L’Agenda”, Elle Decoration, May.

2010   

Linda S. Price, “Approaching Art with the Intensity of an Athlete”, American Artist Magazine, April.

“Exhibitions: Sonya Sklaroff”, American Arts Quarterly, Winter.

Ravi Shankar, Voluptuous Bristle, Georgetown, KY: Finishing Line Press.

2009    

“On the Cover,” City Journal, Summer.

2008    

“On the Cover,” Gallery Guide West, May.

Literature, Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell.

2007    

Laura Marzouk, "Sonya Sklaroff a la Lumiere", France-Amerique, October 29.

John O'Hern, "Reflective Measures", American Art Collector, August.

Brian Sherwin, "Art Space Talk: Sonya Sklaroff", www.MyArtSpace.com, November 23, 2007.

2006    

"Two opportunities to see 8th Annual Realism Invitational coast to coast", American Art Collector, June.

“Jenkins Johnson Gallery”, American Arts Quarterly, Fall 2006.

2004    

Site Matters: The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s World Trade Center Artists Residency, 1997-2001. New York: DAP Distributed Art Publishers, 2004.

Merrilee Brown, “Painting at the Point”. The Courier-Gazette, Coastal Maine, September 16.

2003    

Francoise Cestac, "Une Rapsodie Urbaine en Peinture" Edition Internationale du Figaro, France-Amerique, November 1-7

Jessica Dawson, "The Windows of Opportunity", The Washington Post, May 22.

Indepth Arts News: "Sonya Sklaroff: American Perspectives", www.absolutearts.com, April 25.   

"Apres une Annee Difficile, des Motifs D'Espoir", Edition Internationale du Figaro, France-Amerique, January 25-31.

Gregory Peterson, "Portrait of An Artist: Following the Career of Sonya Sklaroff", www.ArtCritical.com, January.

2002    

"Sonya Sklaroff et les Lumieres de New York", Edition Internationale du Figaro, France-Amerique, October 5-11.

Sara Gilbert, "City Slickers", USArt, September.

Kirk Ellis, "If You Can Make it There…", Santa Fean, September.

Stephen Kinzer, "For Artists, A Sanctuary From Sept. 11", The New York Times, January 23.

Gregory Peterson, "What Motivates a Collector?, American Artist, April.

BBC/FiveLive, Radio Interview, January.

2001    

"The Art at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute", 2001 Catalogue of Selected Works from the Permanent Collection.

"Representing Representation V", Arnot Art Museum, Catalogue of Works from the 2001 Biennal.

Ellen Howards, "Taking up Space at two new Galleries", ArtsMedia, June/July.            

"Literary Themes at Northern Westchester Center for the Arts", Patent Trader, February.

2000    

"Size Doesn't Matter", N Magazine, November.

"This Month", Art Now New York Gallery Guide, October.

"Art", The Inquirer and Mirror, Nantucket, Mass, August 24.

Valerie Gladstone, "Second Annual Realism Invitational", Catalogue Essay, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, June.

Faith Ringgold, "Recent Paintings, Cityscapes and Interiors", Catalogue Introduction, Allen Sheppard Gallery, June.

1999    

Ron Netsky, "Facing Reality", City: Rochester's Alternative Newsweekly, December 15-21.

Dominic Lombardi, "Art; Visual Depths Convey the Mood of a Place", The New York Times, July 4.

"World Views", Metro Arts/Channel 13, June 26.

Phil Hirschkorn, "Newsroom/World View", CNN, aired Feb. 12.

1997    

"New York, NY", The Courier Gazette, September 25.

Bob Swanson, "Picturesque", The Burlington Free Press, August 10.

Traci Kampel, "Tribeca Stakes a Claim as Working Artist Haven", The Villager, July 9.

Paulette Weiss, "Art and Antiques", Where - New York, July

"Tribeca Artists at Fiterman Gallery", The Tribeca Trib, March.

1996    

Sara H. Baynton, "Franklin Street Becomes an Artists' Haven", Downtown Express, March 18.

Paulette Weiss, "Art and Antiques", Where - New York, September.

1995    

Eileen Watkins, "Cutting-Edge Art at City Without Walls", The Sunday Star Ledger, December 24.

SELECTED CORPORATE & MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

The Phillips Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA

Consul General of France, New York, NY

The Lambs, New York, NY

Trade Offices of the French Embassy, New York, NY

Consulate General of Luxembourg, New York, NY

Warburg Pincus, New York, NY

Clarins USA, Inc. New York, NY

LETA Architecture, New York, NY

Kaitsen Woo Architects, New York, NY

Cahoon Museum of American Art, Cotuit, MA

University of Pennsylvania, Phila, PA

FactSet Research Systems, Inc., Norwalk, CT    

Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

Homeland Security Office, Washington, DC

Art Bank Program, US Department of State, Washington, DC

FannieMae Collection, Washington, DC

Hessel & Aluise, Washington, DC

Brown-Forman Corporation, Louisville, KY

Lieberfarb & Associates, Los Angeles, CA

AWARDS, Honors & RESIDENCIES           

2024

Chashama Exhibition Award Recipient, Port Authority, New York, NY (November)

Faculty Professional Development Fund Award, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

2022

Portrait Commission, The Lambs, New York, NY

Faculty Professional Development Fund Award, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

2020

Anonymous Was a Woman Grant, New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), New York, NY

2019

Faculty Professional Development Fund Award, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

2004    

Juror's Award, 80 Washington Square East Galleries, Small Works Juried Show, New York, NY

2001, 02, 03    

Artist Residency, Santa Fe Art Institute, Santa Fe, NM

1998      

Artist Residency, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Sweet Briar, VA

Artist Residency, The Ragdale Foundation, Lake Forest, IL

Studio Grant, The World Views Project, World Trade Center, New York, NY

1997        

First Place Award, San Jacinto College South, Houston, TX

Artist's Residency, Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT

1991        

Providence Art Award, For Outstanding RISD Painting Student, Providence, RI

EDUCATION

Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

Masters of Fine Arts, 2000

Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI

Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1992

European Honors Program, Rome, Italy

Rhode Island School of Design honors year abroad program, 1991