Art Kaleidoscope

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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Mythological bird Sirin brooch. Silk of dark-blue color, decorated with embroidery, beads and sequins. Face – polymer clay, several layers of lacquer. Maria Knutova mythological jewelry art

Maria Knutova mythological jewelry art
Moscow based jewelry designer and artist of applied art Maria Knutova (aka Marisha) creates fabulous decorations based on Russian folklore and mythology. In her gallery – stunning embroidered brooches depicting a beautiful woman with the body of a bird. In Slavic and in particular, Russian mythology, these are mythological birds Sirin, Gamayun, and Alkonost.
According to Maria Knutova, she is a miniaturist artist by education, and a sham decorator by profession. In general, an artist of applied art.
Noteworthy, each work created by Maria Knutova is unique and can’t be repeated exactly. However, the variations of each item are no less beautiful. To create her brooches the master uses high quality textile, beads, sequins, freshwater pearls and thread. Also, she uses polymer clay, lacquer, watercolors and pencils.
According to the artist, she works in various techniques – jewelry, dolls and toys, papier-mache, plastic, painting, and applique.
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Christmas Angel. Patchwork, application, three layers, sintepon, quilted. Fabulous patchwork by Suzdal textile artist Maryana Zolotova

Fabulous patchwork by Suzdal textile artist Maryana Zolotova
Today the art of patchwork is experiencing its second birth. Many craftsmen raised this type of needlework to an unprecedented height, studying and developing such ancient and ever-new patchwork.
Born in Suzdal, talented craftswoman and textile artist Maryana Zolotova lives and works in this city. In 1990 she graduated from the Suzdal Art Restoration School, where she studied watercolor, oil and pastel painting techniques. According to Maryana, love for patchwork appeared in the school. First, she sewed a cadaver crow for a friend for her birthday. Then a big monkey appeared, and a little caricature doll for a teacher. “I will never forget my first mini-exhibition at the school. It consisted of 10 toys, and I was proud of myself. Organized by my teacher Olga Grigorievna Knokova, she played a big role in my creative life”. Later, when Maryana became a mother, she sewed clothes for the child, decorated them with applique and patchwork. In addition, she continued to make dolls in national Russian costumes.
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New winter, 2017. Figurine in a mixed technique. Materials – wool, wire, acrylic paints, chiffon, self-curing plastic, floss, embroidery. Mysterious felted creatures by Alexandra Petrova

Mysterious felted creatures by Alexandra Petrova
Russian artist Alexandra Petrova (pseudonym Voronikha) began to create felted creatures in the technique of dry felting since the spring of 2007. Petrova graduated with honors from St. Petersburg University of Technology and Design with a degree in Decorative and Applied Arts. The master lives in St. Petersburg, and, as she writes about herself, “I periodically disappear in the forests of the Pskov region.” It is in the forest that she draws inspiration from her mythological creatures. The names of these animals are no less mysterious than the design. For example, the Mistress of Mists, the Mistress of Summer Days, the Collector of pine needles, the Forest Evening, the New Winter, Summer Warden of Winter, etc. Her toys periodically participate in various exhibitions of applied art.
Along with the felted toys, she began to sculpt the creatures of self-hardening plastic (from the end of 2011). Made in a single copy, for each creature the artist used various additional materials – wire, glass, beads, plastic, etc.
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A cute little bat with onyxes for eyes, hanging off a branch growing quartz crystals, up against a starry night sky. Lyla Mori spooky symbolic embroideries

Lyla Mori spooky symbolic embroideries
According to the talented artist Lyla Mori (aka moonflesh), October is her favorite month. Born in October, this probably influences all her creativity and in particular, way of life. Undoubtedly, the gallery of stunning Gothic mini embroidery pieces is a truly work of art. Besides, her art is exquisite and inspirational, and behind each embroideried piece is an interesting story. For example, a stunning collection of embroideries with willow branches and urns titled “Sacred”, inspired by the gravestones in Salem’s Burying Point Cemetery.
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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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‘The wind of change’ brooch of polymer clay. ‘Tomorrow the wind will change, Tomorrow the past is over. It will come, and will be a kind, affectionate Wind of change. A miracle on the palm – Olga Ponomareva Miniature brooches

A miracle on the palm – Olga Ponomareva Miniature brooches

Chelyabinsk based young and beautiful artist Olga Ponomareva has been engaged in creativity since her earliest childhood. Designer by education, Olga has many hobbies. However, most of her free time the artist devotes to polymer clay. According to the master, she works with this material for about three years, but learned about polymer clay by accident. “Interestingly, the possibilities of this material are endless!”. In fact, before started creating jewelry, Olga experimented a lot. At the moment, she basically makes very refined and lovely brooches. First of all, everything starts with a sketch, and then comes time for the embodiment of the idea. In addition, according to the artist herself, she likes to work through each tiny brooch in detail. “It’s amazing to see how each piece of jewelry gets its character and personality.” Undoubtedly, each piece of a talented artist, designer and jeweler Olga Ponomareva has become a truly miracle on the palm of her hand. By the way, that’s the name of her online workshop.
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