​

Irene is an international award-winning artist. As a member of the Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America, The Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club in New York City, Allied Artists of America, Portrait Society of Atlanta and the American Portrait Society, Oil Painters of America she has been a part of exhibitions across the country.

 

Irene Bailey, from Yorktown Virginia, started her formal art training at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia after studying under Jack Clifton during high school in Virginia, who was a graduate of The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art.

 

After finishing her Masters of Fine Arts degree specializing in painting from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, her personal education continued. While living in Long Island, New York, and New Jersey she was able to study with Everett Raymond Kinstler, Nelson Shanks at Incamminati, Marvin Matelson and Daniel Green. Irene’s thesis show at the Grey Gallery, East Carolina University, was a great elevator of her notoriety and propelled her career as a fine art portrait painter. Nineteen of her portraits hang on the campus of ECU, to include two 12ft x 8ft murals in Mingies Coliseum. The Minges Pepsi Bottling Group commissioned her to paint portraits of all their CEOs. Many of her portraits hang in courtrooms across the state.

 

In 2011, after traveling with her husband Major Don Wells, USMC during his career in the Marine Corps they decided to settle in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Irene built her dream, an oceanfront studio/home/gallery. They both enjoy Ballroom and other types of dancing whenever possible. They have three children and six grandchildren. Irene has been very generous throughout the years in supporting numerous charities with donations of her artwork.

 

Many businesses and prominent families across the country cherish their heirlooms she has painted.