The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Katsushika Hokusai code

Katsushika Hokusai code naturally meets the main principle of the Far Eastern philosophy: all things are born from the interaction of two opposing forces of cosmic order yin and yang. Yang – masculine, active, bright start; Yin – feminine, passive, dark. The Great Wave off Kanagawa depicts the moment of complete triumph of the feminine, a prisoner in a giant wave, ready to absorb the boat of fishermen. But in the view of the Japanese, none of the forces can fully take precedence over the other, and at exact moment when the victory of one of them seems to be imminent, the pendulum begins to move in the opposite direction. So that efforts of the rowers are not in vain. Victory as a pledge of defeat.
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Aquilegia. Beautiful Straw art by Irina Porosova

Straw art by Irina Porosova
For many of us, straw seems quite unnecessary material and even rubbish. Meanwhile, people anciently used this ‘garbage’ for household purposes. In particular, with straw they covered the roof, added to the clay and built houses. Also, fed cattle in winter, filled pillows and mattresses. And, most importantly, created stunningly interesting things, and even pieces of art. For example, the same as Russian artist of applied art Irina Porosova, working in her art shop called Fairy-tale. Self-taught artist, she creates fabulous paintings of usual straw. According to her, straw has become her real long-time passion. Parosova lives in the city of Syzran of Samara region.
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Jaguar. Painting by Italian artist Floriano Buccigrossi

Italian artist Floriano Buccigrossi
Born in Palo del Colle on 14 December 1970, Buccigrossi is a self-taught naturalist painter. From an early age he was a true nature lover. He was especially fascinated by animals. When he was 8, his parents gave him “book of animals and plants in their natural environment”. It was his first book. He recalls that he loved watching nature documentaries, in particular “the world of Quark”, and David Attenborough’s “the living planet”. When he had a chance he tried not to miss any TV documentary about nature, plants and animals and collected photographs from any magazine or newspaper that he could get.
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Inspired by French impressionists Felted brooch. Miniature wool painting by Svetlana Dmitrieva, Saratov

Miniature wool painting by Svetlana Dmitrieva
According to Russian artist Svetlana Dmitrieva, French impressionists inspire all her creativity. In particular, the artists of that era chose to portray reading ladies. Why reading? Of course, there was another option – a sitting or strolling lady, meanwhile, fanning herself. In addition, the same ladies of past eras did something else. For example, played music, drew, sang, played with cats or dogs … But still, in the paintings of artists they are mainly fanning themselves and reading.
In fact, the reading girl is the personification of peace, prudence and intellect. Besides, it is convenient to paint static figure. In addition to these classical canons of painting of a certain period, a reading girl was in fashion. And finally, a clever girl has always attracted a man.
Russian artist Svetlana Dmitrieva lives in the old city of Saratov. Until recently she thought that all that she wants to do in life – to paint. And she painted. Oil, tempera, acrylic … Quite accidentally Svetlana Dmitrieva has discovered felt, and, according to her, ‘fell in love’. ndeed, Wool replaced everything – drawing, painting, and instead appeared wool paintings, miniatures, and brooches.
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Pearl. Venetian carnival paintings by Jean Claude Campana, French artist

Venetian carnival paintings by Jean Claude Campana
The Carnival of Venice inspires lots of artists to create beautiful paintings. And, in particular, French artist Jean Claude Campana. His latest series of paintings “The magic of the Venetian carnival” – full of color, the same as his life, and of course, are worth seeing.
Talented 30 year-old artist Campana sells his works in the evening on the Croisette in Cannes. Besides, during the day time he paints murals in restaurants, nightclubs, and private homes. According to Jean Claude Campana, his life is full of ups and downs. Meanwhile, in 1985 he successfully participated in art exhibitions in The Walley Finley Gallery in New York, Soho, and Dallas. Noteworthy, Campana entered the list of 100 best French painters.
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Falco vespertinus. Pastel drawings by Mikhail Vedernikov, Russian self-taught artist

Pastel drawings by Mikhail Vedernikov
Born May 21, 1989 in the city of Artyomovsky of Sverdlovsk region, Mikhail Vedernikov (Nemon) – Russian self-taught artist. According to his paintings, the young artist prefers to work in the animal genre, using pastels. Indeed, for all these beautiful drawings he uses pastel, pastel pencils, and Sennelier PastelCard papers. Noteworthy, his best work became a series of drawings “Red on black” of endangered birds and animals. It performed at the art exhibition in the Sverdlovsk region. Mikhail Vedernikov says: “Always knew that I am able to transmit my feelings and emotions through art, but only for more than 6 years ago realized that my tools of impression – Paper and pencil. I am self – taught, inspired by the feelings and emotions, rather than rules and stereotypes. My work – my mood, my state of mind, and my world”.
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April. Beautiful art work by Batik artist Maria Kaminskaya

Batik artist Maria Kaminskaya
Born in 1983 in Rostov-on-Don, Maria Kaminskaya graduated from South-Russian State Technical University, with qualification of designer and Interpreter of the German language. In 2001, Maria participated in the exhibition “Young Artists of Don” in Rostov-on-Don, and received the diploma. According to the artist, she has been engaged in painting on silk since 2002.
Meanwhile, in 2006 Maria Kaminskaya moved to Moscow. And the next year, in December 2007, she had her first solo exhibition “Silk Road”.
Maria – member of the Creative Union of Professional Artists (since 2008). She took part in the jubilee exhibition of goods and handicraft in Monaco, as well as in the exhibition “Golden Globe 2008” in “Crocus Expo”, Moscow. The works are in private collections in the cities of Russia, as well as Kishinev, Tbilisi, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Melbourne, Ottawa, Toronto, London, New York and others.
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