Elephant. Legend of Bidri art. Traditional metal handicraft from Bidar, India

Legend of Bidri art
“Bidri” is a traditional metal handicraft from Bidar, a city in India. Nowadays Bidar-ware – is not only a tradition, but also one of the crafts embodying this enigmatic country. The thing is that these products are made in only one place in India, in Bidar. The current Bidar – a mediocre Asian town with narrow streets and houses of one or two floors of mud brick. People just sleep in these houses, and only in the rainy season and during the cooler months. The rest of the time they spend in the crowded streets, doing housework, trading or just chatting with a neighbor at a cup of tea.
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Teapot, carved and painted with glaze and under-glaze. Artwork by ceramic artist Natalya Sots

Ceramic artist Natalya Sots
Schaumburg, Illinois based artist Natalya Sots is a real fairy, whose force is to revive inanimate objects, such as a conventional cookware. And for this, it is not necessary to possess magical powers or enter the cartoon “Beauty and the Beast,” where the cups, saucers and teapots were able to run, sing, talk and dance.

Enough to be creatively minded artist in ceramics, whose skillful hands create works of art in which it is difficult to find the same cups, teapots, saucers … Natalya Sots ceramics are enjoyable to look at and fun. All of her work is in earthenware clay, both terracotta and white talc earthenware. The clay gets bisque fired to around 1900 F (cone 05-06), then glaze is applied and the pieces are fired again.

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In the mountains. Bead landscapes by Valentina Parenko

Bead landscapes by Valentina Parenko

Artist from the northern Russian city of Surgut, Valentina Parenko, in her spare time, in-between household chores, creates wonderful “paintings” of the beads. The flock, sometimes whimsical, but such a fertile material, “drawing” bright and cheerful landscapes. Valentina was born 26 February 1939, at a village of Rostov region. She studied Graphic Arts at Orel State Pedagogical Institute. Valentina works in drawing, painting, weaving tapestries and bead mosaic. The basis of her work is a virtuoso color, a variety of internal rhythms that give grace and original composition harmony of form. And that is what makes individual talents of the artist.
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Wildflowers in a vase, still life. Tapestry by Alla Kirillova

Made in the original technique, Tapestry by Alla Kirillova at first glance looks like oil paintng. However, as you get closer to the work, the illusions disappear: made of multicolored woolen threads and textile pieces become noticeable. Indeed, there is an incredible desire to touch this beauty and make sure that this is not an optical illusion, but really tapestries. Born in the city of Rasskazovo, Tambov region, Russian craftswoman Alla Kirillova graduated from the School of Industrial Art in Moscow. At first, she worked as an artist at the jewelry factory, then as an advertising artist, and painter of fabrics. In addition, she worked as a teacher, leading arts and crafts studio “Experiment” in a family orphanage. As a result, for all fifteen years of her work in the studio, young artists presented their painting and craft works in more than 60 exhibitions. Besides, seven of them – international – Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden. Tapestry by Alla Kirillova are in many private collections in Switzerland, Italy, Israel, Germany, Thailand, France and America.
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Birds of paradise panel. 2006. Aluminum, anodized aluminum, copper, cold enamel, oil, blackening. Artist engraver Viktor Morozov

artist engraver Viktor Morozov
In the 60s and 70s of the last century art of coinage and metal engraving were incredibly fashionable. Gradually, to the public consciousness, they began to be associated with souvenirs and simple cheap crafts. Meanwhile, the works of a talented self-taught artist Viktor Morozov prove – the art of metal engraving belongs to fine art. And the artist is passionate about history and traditions. According to him, he is interested in Ancient and Medieval History of Russia and other nations, and also philosophy, religion, lifestyle, clothing, weapons, and the armor of ancient people. All this seems very beautiful and majestic. Even from an early age he felt metal – “an elastic material”.
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Tues of birch bark ‘Flowers’. Made of several layers of birch bark, facing layer – stamping, water-based lacquered (eco-friendly). Bottom and lid – cedar. Ideal for storing food, dried herbs, mushrooms, berries. Birch bark art by Vadim Komarov (BeReSta63)

Birch bark art by Vadim Komarov

First of all “Tues”, or tuesok (tuesy, tueski – plural) – small birch-bark box with a lid. Classic tues is cylindrical. Another name – Burak. The word “Tues” is borrowed from Northern Russia Komi language, meaning “Birch bark”. Russian artist of applied art Vadim Komarov (BeReSta63) is a talented self-taught craftsman working with birch bark. He lives in the city of Beryozovsky, Siberia. Initially, birch bark folk crafts was only a hobby for him, as he worked as an electrician all his life. But as it often happens, his favorite hobby has become his second profession.
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Flower dreams. Patchwork art by Sandra Freitas

Patchwork art by Sandra Freitas – contemporary Brazilian artist, designer and master of wonderful patchwork. Her art of patchwork is so impressive that, looking at these works it is impossible to remain indifferent. The artist uses a wide range of colors and shades, a variety of images: cheerful, bright, presenting positive emotions and beauty. Hard work and creative approach to the patchwork art says much about the artist, as a great master of this craft. Sandra Regina de Paula Freitas was born in 1957. The artist painted portraits, still lifes, in her gallery – a series of magnificent paintings of horses and still lifes. However, the art of patchwork is undoubtedly fascinating.
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