Tina Figarelli — Figurative Oil Painter Working with Artefex Panels

Tina Figarelli is a full-time realistic figurative oil painter based near Chicago, Illinois, known for creating emotionally driven narrative paintings that explore themes of grief, loss, love, and memory. Tina collaborates with Artefex, choosing their professional-grade panels as the surface for her layered, light-sensitive oil work.

Narrative Figurative Painting Rooted in Classical Tradition

Tina's work is built on a foundation of classical realism, self-directed study at the Art Institute of Chicago, and two years of formal portrait training under Louis Carr at East Oaks Studio in Raleigh, NC. Her paintings draw from the lineage of William Bouguereau and Henri Fantin-Latour — masters of luminous, story-laden figurative work — while addressing deeply personal, contemporary themes. Whether depicting interior scenes or intimate portraits, Tina weaves narrative and sentiment into every composition, inviting viewers into a visual story they feel as much as they see.

Award-Winning Recognition in National & International Competitions

Tina Figarelli's figurative paintings have earned consistent recognition across the most prestigious competitions in American representational art. Her highlights include 1st Place in the Portrait Society of America Member's Only Competition for To Bury A Friend, a Certificate of Excellence and multiple finalist placements in PSA's International and Future Generation competitions, the Thora Jensen Memorial Award at the Hudson Valley Art Association's 91st Annual Exhibition, the John August Dietrich Memorial Figurative Award of Distinction at the Oil Painters of America National Exhibition, and the Award of Excellence from Oil Painters of America's Eastern Regional Exhibition. Her work has been exhibited at venues across the country — from the Salmagundi Club in New York City to the Steamboat Art Museum in Colorado — and is held in private collections in the United States and internationally.