Wassily Kandinsky. Blue Rider Impressionist artists 1911-1914. Almanac cover

Blue Rider Impressionist artists
Artistic Association “Blue Rider” – one of the most stellar and rapid, bold and short-lived in the XX century. It existed only 3 years (1911 – 1914). Initially with enthusiastic whisper, and later in a loud voice, talked about the synthesis of all the arts and non-objective paintings. Here talked about the value of the painting of crazy and children, about colors and shapes, self-sufficiency and spiritual content of painting. Meanwhile, it united the unique versatile artists working equally brilliantly with brush and pen. Besides, the best representatives of the “new art” wrote revolutionary almanac “Blue Rider”, and without requiring fees and promotions.
Recalling the three years before the First World War, Kandinsky said: “The Blue Rider” is the two of us, Franz Marc and me.”
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Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook (10 September 1926 – 28 May 2008)

Naive Painting by English artist Beryl Cook
Undoubtedly, there is a difference between an amateur and a naive artist. The amateur is engaged in painting for the sake of pure pleasure, and considers this occupation his hobby. However, a naive artist, not being a professional, continues to work and learns to use traditional techniques, but this does not mean that his painting is imperfect. In addition, the naive artist is more obsessed, and his lack of academic training often leads to the development of a bright individual style. And this is true with regard to Beryl Cook, who for the first four years of work became famous throughout the country.
Born 10 September 1926 in Reading, a bustling town 40 km west of London, Beryl Cook created her first picture only 37 years later. Happily married, she lived in the former Rhodesia, when she suddenly had the idea to draw a portrait of her neighbor – a large Indian woman. This portrait remained her only work until she and her family returned to England, where they settled in Cornwall, on the remote south-west coast of the country.
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Tulips – yellow and white. 1961. 73 x 92 cm. Watercolors by Vietnamese impressionist artist Le Pho (August 2, 1907 – December 12, 2001)

Vietnamese impressionist artist Le Pho
Born August 2, 1907 in Vietnam, Le Pho received a scholarship to study at the Art School in Paris (1932). Returning to Vietnam, he taught at the Graduate School of Fine Arts in Hanoi. In 1937, he returned to Paris, where he lived until his death. Still lifes, landscapes with elongated figures of people, portraits of a woman with a child are a constant theme in his work.
Well-known in the west, the Parisian Impressionist of Vietnamese origin Le Pho created paintings which captivate by the soft, unobtrusive charm of colors. In addition to still life, the main theme of his paintings is a Woman – mother. More precisely, the idea of ​​motherhood. Noteworthy, his images are sketchy, like faces on icons. They always drown in flowers and look like exotic flowers. Perhaps, Le Foe grew up in a happy family and the charge of love that he received as a child, was enough for life. Or maybe it was his dream of such a happy family life.
Amazingly bright works. They do not even have shadows, only juicy colors and sunlight scattered all over the place. In this kingdom of harmony conflicts are impossible, therefore its inhabitants are full of peace and tranquility, walking in the garden, collecting flowers or playing with children.
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Painting by Natalia Grigorieva “Rowan and Tits”. Graceful Rowan in paintings of Russian artists

Graceful Rowan in paintings of Russian artists
In autumn, rowan leaves from yellow-orange gradually turn into purple, resembling a burning bonfire. No wonder the graceful rowan inspired so many artists and poets. To rowan devoted a lot of songs and poems, and its bright red berries – often compared with beads. And the truth is, small round berries resemble a scattering of brilliant beads. Undoubtedly, Nature gave the rowan a rich decoration to become the main ornament of the autumn forest. And how beautiful the rowan alleys are at this time of year! And it is impossible to pass by and not admire this beautiful tree! During a long cold winter, its delicious fruits will save many birds from the hunger. Indeed, the flocks of loud-nosed bullfinches and waxwings become frequent guests.
And how beautiful can be ordinary ashberry, if you look at it through the eyes of the artist! Rowan scenes in the paintings of Russian artists have always enjoyed a success and popularity with buyers of landscapes and still lifes.
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An angel with a bird. Materials – Ceramic tiles, tile printing, wood, author’s technique of sublimation printing. Handmade work by Gothic naive artist Pavel Nikolayev. Novorossiysk, Russia

Gothic naive artist Pavel Nikolayev
Novorossiysk based artist Pavel Nikolayev has been painting since the age of five. According to the artist himself, he can’t imagine his life without paints, and generally, without art. Meanwhile, inspired by the work of old masters, he created his own style, resembling “gothic naive”. Although the artist experiments in different styles, yet his works in Gothic naive are something special. In particular, “An Angel with a Bird” – originally painted on wood, and then, by means of sublimation, the author made a print from it. Next, he transferred the image onto the ceramic tiles under the influence of high temperature and pressure. Such technique makes it possible to create bright and durable panel.
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Hunt for red maple. Delicate Watercolor painting by Russian artist Anna

Delicate Watercolor painting by Russian artist Anna
According to Moscow based artist Anna, she “from time to time” draws for the soul. Most of all she loves watercolor, for its arbitrariness, transparency and discipline, which this technique requires from the artist. By embodying a plan or simply impressed by chance, she tries to transfer emotions onto paper, and to paint them in colors. As the artist herself explains, “so that the moment that touched me remained with me even after a lapse of time”. Therefore, her drawings contain a lot of personal, and each of them is dear to her and valuable.
Some of her works decorate the walls in her house, while others just – kept in a folder. So, one day she decided to show some of kept in a folder drawings to the public. Actually, she hopes to sell these drawings to people, whom they will also bring joy. After all, having a work painted in real colors is a wonderful feeling!
In her pictures I saw the elusive grace of nature, that so often disappears and not seen. Thanks to the master who stopped the moment and with it stopped me, gave me the opportunity to see the beautiful in the simple. Her paintings is the art where the world of harmony reigns, where I and the world have merged into one.
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Portrait of Rabindranath Tagore. 1940. Colored ink, mineral paints. Painting by Chinese artist Xu Beihong (1895-1953)

Painting by Chinese artist Xu Beihong
The post features life and work of the remarkable Chinese artist of the twentieth century Xu Beihong (19 July 1895 – 26 September 1953). His works – portraits, landscapes and images of animals – are well known in the homeland of the artist and beyond. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the personality of Xu Beihong in the artistic life of China. Unlike many of his predecessors and even his contemporaries, he influenced not only the development of any of the genres of painting, but also the fate of Chinese art in general. His rebellious seeking spirit, embodied in unique artistic images, still attracts us with his unbridled, overwhelming energy.
Unfortunately, Xu Beihong lived a short life (1895-1953). However, it was bright and eventful. Born in the era of turbulent political upheavals and explosions experienced by his homeland, he became not only a witness, but also an active participant in its revolutionary events and political transformations.
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