Art Kaleidoscope

Mimosa, Oil on canvas, 2011. Painting by Russian artist Oleg Burdastov

Born in 1965 in St. Petersburg Russian artist Oleg Burdastov (Oleg Burda), received technical education, though has always been interested in painting. As a child he attended local art school. However, at school, in the army, or in the institute, he always found something to draw – from the wall newspapers to combat leaflets. Noteworthy, Oleg Burdastov began painting seriously at the age of 39. First, he gave up a prestigious job. Second, he opened the first art studio in 2005. In addition, he met with professional artists of St. Petersburg, who helped him with the advice. Meanwhile, critics forced him to look for new directions in art. Finally, Burdastov sold everything he could, and bought the land in the village of Leningrad region. There, he began to build the house – studio, hoping to get away from the hustle and bustle, just to be closer to nature. And only occasionally he comes to the city to participate in art exhibitions.
Read more »

She was carrying repulsive, alarming yellow flowers in her hand. Mimosa in art. Painting by unknown artist

‘And I was struck not so much by her beauty as by an extraordinary loneliness in her eyes, such as no one had ever seen before! Obeying this yellow sign, I also turned down the lane and followed her. We walked along the crooked, boring lane silently, I on one side, she on the other. And, imagine, there was not a soul in the lane. I was suffering, because it seemed to me that it was necessary to speak to her, and I worried that I wouldn’t utter a single word, and she would leave, and I’d never see her again. And, imagine, suddenly she began to speak:
‘ “Do you like my flowers?” (Mikhail Bulgakov. The Master and Margarita)
Read more »

Rhianna, 2014. Millennium Faces Mosaic Portraits. Work by St. Petersburg based artist Tatiana Smirnova

Millennium Faces Mosaic Portraits
Based in St. Petersburg Russian artist Tatiana Smirnova is the author of these beautiful mosaic posrtraits. First, it all began when Tatiana founded a mosaic art studio. Then, she invited artists and restorers led by Vladimir Ignatiev. As a result, the team of talented artists have created the beautiful gallery of mosaic portraits from smalta. And inspired by vintage beautifies of the past Tatiana Smirnova prefers working in mosaic technique too. The result is impressive – the series of mosaic portraits of most famous actresses of the past, and icons of style. In particular, Greta Garbo and Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Rhianna, as well as a Portrait of her daughter, and more. As for male celebrities, their portraits included in the mosaic series “Faces of the Millennium”. Among them portraits of Michael Jackson, Bonaparte, Pierre Cardin, Kevin Costner, Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode), Joe Cocker, Justin Timberlake and others.
Read more »

Bosham – December 2007. Landscape Painter Joe Francis Dowden

English Landscape Painter Joe Francis Dowden paints hyper-realistic watercolors. And he believes that it is the power of everyone. The secret of skill of the artist is simple: he has thrown out textbooks on watercolor for long, and began to walk in the forest, noticing and watching every detail of the future landscape. Joe Francis Dowden has exhibited his Landscape and Seascape watercolors mostly in Great Britain – the Sunday Times Exhibition, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolor, Laing Art Exhibition, Chichester Open, Barings ING – Platform 100, World of Drawings and Watercolors, British Modern Masters, Royal Society of Marine Artists.
Read more »

Realistic portrait of brown and gray pet cat. Painting cats Maria Emelyanova, Moscow based artist

Painting cats Maria Emelyanova
Born in April 1977 Russian artist Maria Emelyanova lives and works in Moscow. She started drawing at the age of 6, when her parents brought her to the local art school. After graduating from the art school, which she has visited over 9 years, she took up painting professionally. Painting in the genre os realism, her preferred subject of painting is Animals – fish, birds, cats, dogs, lizards, and horses. In 2008, the artist participated in the group exhibition in Manege (Moscow), in the framework of the II Moscow International Art Festival “Traditions and Modernity”. Also in 2008, she had a solo exhibition in the Central House of Entrepreneurs (Moscow). From 2009 to the present her art works decorate various galleries of Moscow.
Read more »

Looking as a white bedsheet. Realistic wooden sculptures by Tom Eckert

Incredibly realistic wooden sculptures by Tom Eckert resemble paintings of Renaissance masters. Have you ever seen a floating book, or floating cards, or even a floating rock, or just a magic made of wood? Genius of sculpture, Art professor Tom Eckert from Arizona State University carves hyper-realistic sculptures – fabrics that look silky smooth to the touch, and fruit that look ripe for eating. And all these sculptures he made entirely out of wood. The professor carves, turns, bends and laminates wood to look like fabrics, glass, stone and fruit. Then, he applies waterborne lacquer paint with spray guns and brushes. According to the master, the woods he prefers working with are basswood, linden and lime-wood, because they are good and stable for carving and painting. In addition, the professor explained that coming from a painting and drawing background, he is still interested in applying some of those techniques to his sculptures.
Read more »

New Zealand, at Rangitoto Island volcano, 2010. Private Moon installation by Leonid Tishkov

Private Moon installation by Leonid Tishkov
In our childhood many of us dreamed to reach out and touch the moon. And many of us watched movies in which the hero gives or promises to give a star to his beloved. Besides, many of us believe in magic and make a wish at a falling star. What would be your reaction if you were given the opportunity to get the real moon from the sky and touch it? Meanwhile, Russian artist Leonid Tishkov can make your dream come true. His project “Private Moon” is an installation inspired by the most romantic thoughts and fantasies. Thus, Private Moon tells the story of a man who met the Moon and stayed with it for the rest of his life. In a series of intimate photographs, the Moon helps the artist to overcome loneliness in the universe. Interestingly, Tishkov and his illuminated moon have traveled the world for more than ten years, from Austria to Arctic. However, no one knows where it will be the next time, on the roof of Parisian house, or with you under a blanket.
Read more »