About Avianne - My Story
Artist Biography
Avianne was born in 1977 and grew up in South Africa during the Apartheid era. It has always been her dream to seek out opportunities beyond her humble beginnings. She has worked in the fine art and decorative industries for almost 3 decades, only interrupted by life events like emigrating to the United States and restrictive visa conditions.
In 2006 Avianne emigrated to the United States and ended up in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2019, she moved with her American family to Idaho. She currently lives and works from her home studio in Idaho where she enjoys family life with her husband, daughter, and 3 rescued dogs. Her garden is a designated National Wildlife Federation sanctuary for birds, bees, and butterflies.
Avianne's formal education consists of a BA (Fine Art) degree from the University in Pretoria, South Africa and an M(Ed) - Curriculum, Instruction, and Innovation, from the Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) in Nampa, Idaho. She graduated with several distinctions and accolades from both universities, and was on the Dean's list twice at NNU. Most recently Avianne has studied with the Milan Art Institute online. She is graduating in September, 2025 from the Milan Mastery Program which she pursued to solidify and amplify her own style and voice as a fine artist.
Discerning collectors all over the world are the satisfied owners of numerous paintings, murals, and conceptual art pieces she has created over the span of her decades long career.
Artist's Statement
I coined my artistic style as
Etherealism - a Bridge of Light between the Seen and the Unseen, between worlds, realms, or dimensions. Etherealism is my way of expressing my deep affinity for the natural world while attempting to capture the supernatural realm that lies beyond the natural world. Etherealism provides a platform for my voice as an artist to shine through my work. Advocating for humanitarian and wildlife conservation is a central part of my art practice as an oil painter. I hope to speak "life" through my art for those who do not (yet) have a voice of their own.
Living the life of an artist is the most authentic way of being in this world to me. I seldom know what form the visible and invisible world will take and I have learned over the years to allow my curiosity, and rich inner-life to lead the way. As a person who both thinks and feels deeply, I believe being both unsettled and inspired by my human existence and my relationship to my earth home, are conditions this artist should make herself home in.
My journey is mainly that of an oil painter. The longevity, luster, and sophistication of oil paint fit better with my long-term goal of building a lasting legacy as a professional fine artist. My proficiency reaches beyond my main medium as I am also in the process of becoming a sculptor and believe wholeheartedly in honing drawing skills consistently. Previously, I was known for acrylic paintings, mixed media art, and resin art.
I hold the personal belief that artists are the purveyors of restoration for unspoken pain in our world as well as conduits for our Creator: a sort of bridge between many worlds, both lost and found. This aforementioned desire to build a lasting legacy around these views is authentic and elementary to my creative passion and propels my artistry ever forward.
My strong affinity for animals, the human condition, and the natural world have always and will always inform my artistic voice and process. Percentages of all my income are donated to carefully vetted wildlife conservation and humanitarian rescue efforts globally.
Resumé
This is a summarized version of Avianne’s accomplishments and ventures. For a more extensive list and more detailed descriptions of Avianne’s accomplishments, and information dating further back, you can contact Avianne directly via her contact form.
ART GALLERIES - AFFILIATIONS, EXHIBITIONS, AND REPRESENTATION
2018 - Ongoing: Avianne International Gallery of Fine Art, California (now online - International.
2025: KBM Art Gallery, Hollywood - International.
2025: Hummingbird and Dragonfly Gallery, Los Angeles - International.
2025: Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach - National.
2024 - 2025: Poetic Tiger Gallery, Idaho - International.
2021 - 2023: SAATCHI online - UK - International.
2022 - 2023: Water's Edge Gallery, Garden City, Idaho.
2023: Carr Gallery, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
2023: Jean B. King Gallery, at the Herrett Museum of Arts and Science, Twin Falls, Idaho.
2022: Art Source Gallery, Boise, Idaho.
2021: Initial Point Gallery, Meridian, Idaho.
2021: Candy Jar Gallery, Blackfoot, Idaho.
2020 - further back: Several art galleries in Idaho, California and South Africa, including the Harrington Gallery in California and the Pretoria Art Museum in South Africa.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
2023 - 2025: Mastery Program, Milan Art Institute, International.
2022: M(Ed), Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation, Northwest Nazarene University, Idaho.
2021-2022: Dean’s List - Spring and Fall - Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho (4.0 GPA).
2019: Studio Practice Course under Ozell Hudson jr., Avianne Academy of Arts, California.
2016: Acrylic Pouring Medium Course, Linda Ryan Arts, California.
2000: BA (FA), Honors, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC PAPERS
2025: Summary - Etherealism Manifesto, © 2025 Avianne Philip-Ko (all rights reserved), Meridian, Idaho.
2022: Mixed Methods Research Proposal - The Cognitive-Developmental Impacts of Advanced Extracurricular Art Classes for Children during Early Childhood Education - Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho.
2015: First Draft - Etherealism Manifesto, © 2015 Avianne Philip-Ko (all rights reserved), San Jose, California.
2003: The Use and Meaning of Fire in the Work of Sandile Zulu - University of South Africa (UNISA).
2002: The Death of Innocence in South African Art and Culture - University of South Africa (UNISA).
2000: Neo-Modernism - Back to the Future of the Absolute - University of Pretoria, South Africa.
2000: The Value of Shock in Contemporary South African Art - University of Pretoria, South Africa.
SELECTED SOLO AND GROUP EXHIBITIONS (JURIED / CURATED ONLY)
2025- Group Exhibitions - KBM Art Gallery - Hollywood, International (online).
2025- Group Exhibition - Hummingbird and Dragonfly Gallery - Los Angeles, International (online).
2025: Women in Art - group exhibition - Las Laguna Art Gallery - Laguna Beach, California, National (online).
2019-ongoing: Several Group and Solo Exhibitions - International Gallery of Fine Art, International (currently online, previously in person).
2024-2025: Several Group Exhibitions - Poetic Tiger Gallery, International, Idaho (in person and online).
2023, September-October: "Featured Artists" - group exhibition - Water's Edge Gallery, Garden City, Idaho.
2023, July: "Abundance" - solo exhibition - Water's Edge Gallery, Garden City, Idaho.
2023, June - September: "Elemental Traveling Exhibition" - small group exhibition - Carr Gallery, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
2023, February - March: "Elemental Traveling Exhibition" - small group exhibition - Jean B. King Gallery, Twin Falls, Idaho.
2023, January - February: "Featured Artists" - group exhibition - Water's Edge Gallery, Garden City, Idaho.
2022, October - November: "Opus" - group exhibition - Water's Edge Gallery, Garden City, Idaho.
2022, August - September: "Earthbound" - solo exhibition - International Gallery of Fine Art, Boise, Idaho.
2022, July - August: "Annual Juried Group Exhibit" - small group exhibition - Art Source Gallery, Boise, Idaho.
2021, September: "Plein Air Painters of Idaho Exhibit" - small group exhibit - Initial Point gallery, meridian, Idaho.
2021: September - October: "Annual Juried exhibition" - small group exhibit - Candy Jar Gallery, Blackfoot, Idaho.
2020 - further back: Several juried art exhibitions (group and solo) in Idaho, California and South Africa, including in the Harrington Gallery in California and the Pretoria Art Museum in South Africa.
SELECTED AWARDS
2024: Ambassador's Award, American Portrait Society, National.
2017: Painting, Second Place, Faaya Diamonds Inc., International online contest.
2013: Painting, City of Livermore Arts Commission Award for Artistic Excellence, San Francisco Bay Area, California.
2013: Painting, Best of Acrylics Award, Livermore Art Association, San Francisco Bay Area, California.
2013: Painting, People's Choice Award, Livermore Art Association, San Francisco Bay Area, California.
2012: Painting, Best Fine Art Muralist, Food Network Reality Television, LA Central Studios, Los Angeles, California.
2012: Painting: Best of Show, Bothwell Arts Center, San Francisco Bay Area, California. Judge: Bill Scala (famous Contemporary Surrealist).
2012: Painting, Third Place Acrylics, Livermore Art Association, San Francisco Bay Area, California.
2010: Painting, US Bank Prestige Award, US Bank, San Francisco Bay Area, California.
2010: Painting, Merit Award, US Bank, San Francisco Bay Area, California.
2009 - further back: several awards (national and regional) in California and South Africa.
WORK IN SELECTED INTERNATIONAL FINE ART COLLECTIONS
2025 - Pridgen Fine Art Collection.
2024 - Kemp Fine Art Collection.
2021 - Bruno Family Art Collection.
2014 - ongoing: Ko Family International Fine Art Collection.
2021 - 2022: Gardiner International Fine Art Collection.
2012 - 2019: Nancy Marco Collection.
2019: Kathleen Stear Fine Art Collection.
2019: Raymond Wan Family Collection.
2017: Philip Family Art and Artifacts Collection.
2014: Gray Fine Art and Photography Collection.
2009-2013: Belinda Petersen Fine Art Collection.
2005-2013: H.D.J. Wilson International Art Collection.
2012: Halepete International Fine Art Collection.
2012: Joslin Family Art Collection.
2012: Buckley Collection.
2011: Daniel & Dianne Shellooe Collection.
2010 - further back: several international fine art collections (private and corporate)
SELECTED COMMISSIONS / HIGH PROFILE PROJECTS
2020 - ongoing: Multiple Private Commissions, Idaho, International.
2010 - 2019: Multiple Private Commissions, California, International.
2012: Commissioned Public Art work at East Avenue Middle School, Livermore, California.
2004 - 2006: Fine Artist, Oil paintings: marketed by Marie Vermeulen-Breedt, Pretoria, South Africa.
2005: Commissioned Fine Artist for H.D.J. Wilson International Art Collection, Pretoria, South Africa.
2005: Project Manager, Fine Artist for the suites of movie-stars like Leonardo DiCaprio: Michelangelo Towers, Sandton, South Africa for Laetitia Viljoen Interiors.
2004 - further back: several international fine art collections (private and corporate).
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS, PODCAST, RADIO & TELEVISION APPEARANCES
2025: Mention of "Art of Lore" Exhibition at Poetic Tiger Gallery in Create Magazine, International.
2023: KTV Idaho Channel 6, News Interview by Isaiah Sharp, Idaho.
2023: Magic Valley Times Newspaper Article by Brayden Weeks, Idaho.
2023: Be Local, Promotional Article, Eagle and Meridian, Idaho.
2022: Boise Weekly, Article by Alana Ulenhof, Boise, Idaho.
2021: Idaho Business Development, Article by Catie Clark, Idaho.
2021: KTV Idaho Channel 6, News Interview by Natasha Williams, Idaho.
2018-2019: Radio Show Host, “Your Creative Force” by Avianne, Global Voice Radio.
2018: Podcast Interview by American author Denise Joy Thomson, The Coach Alliance and Global Voice Radio.
2011-2018: Several promotional events and publications of the Bankhead Theater Gallery, the Livermore Arts Association, and the Bothwell Arts Center, California.
2010-2015: Multiple publications: The Independent, California (magazine and Newspaper).
2014: Ruby Hills Living, Interview Article, Pleasanton, California.
2013: Featured in International Reality Show “Sugar Dome” on Food Network & HGTV.
2009: San Jose Community Television (public art show), interview.
2008 - further back: several publications in magazines, newspapers, television appearances, and multiple interviews (regional, national, and international) in California and South Africa.
PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS
2025 - ongoing: American Portrait Society, USA.
2023 - 2024: Colored Pencil Society of America, Chapter 225, Boise, Idaho.
2022 - ongoing: Carr Gallery, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
2022 - ongoing: Water's Edge Gallery, Garden City, Idaho.
2022 - ongoing: Jean B. King Gallery, College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho.
2021 - ongoing: Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho.
2021 - ongoing: Colored Pencil Society of America, National, USA.
2021 - ongoing: National Watercolor Society, National, USA.
2021: Bingham Arts Council, Blackfoot, Idaho.
2019 - further back: several professional organizations in California and South Africa
CHARITY RELATED AFFILIATIONS
2023 - ongoing: Operation Underground Railroad, USA.
2023 - ongoing: Noah's Arks Rescue, South Carolina.
2021 - ongoing: Avianne International Global Impact Initiative: Earth Sirens, Idaho.
2021 - ongoing: Seashepherd, Virginia.
2021 - ongoing: Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, Colorado.
2020: Ruth Melichar Bird Center, Idaho.
2019 - further back: several non-profit organizations in California and South Africa.
REFERENCES (available upon request)