Urania’s love for art began as a young girl when she first met her father’s first cousin, artist Howard Chandler Christy, whose work hangs in the White House, U.S. Capitol, the Smithsonian and numerous museums.

Urania attended the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles and later studied with the famous Russian artist, Sergei Bongart, honing her love for oil painting and color. In the late ’70s she studied portraiture in pastel with Claude Ellington, and became a lifetime lover and advocate of pastel.

In 1994 she founded the International Association of Pastel Societies, and as president of the organization, led IAPS through fifteen years of growth. In 2009 she stepped aside, and now serves as President Emeritus.

She is a Signature Life Member, Pastel Society of America; a member of the IAPS Master Circle, the California Art Club, Salmagundi Club, NY, and holds Honorary Membership with Degas Pastel Society and Sierra Pastel Society and numerous other pastel societies.

Her work has been widely published and exhibited in Canada, Taiwan, France, Italy, England, Mexico, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other parts of the United States.

She serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of The Pastel Journal, is the former editor of the Pastel Artist International Magazine and periodically contributes articles to various art magazines. She teaches pastel and oil workshops throughout the United States and Europe.

Paintings © Urania Christy Tarbet, top to bottom: Roses and Ribbons, 24x 30; Roses and Lilacs, detail; Senor Padilla, 20x24; Lavender, France #5, 9x12