Art Kaleidoscope

A girl with a mask. Painting by Armenian artist Martiros Manoukian

Armenian artist Martiros Manoukian
Born on August 5, 1947 in then the Soviet Union, he began painting at an early age and graduated from the Yerevan Academy of Art (1967). In addition, Martiros studied fine art in Moscow and Leningrad academies.

First of all, Martiros represents the rich culture of Armenia, Russia and the USSR. By the way, in the USSR, he flourished not only as a painter, but also as a designer. However, since 1987 the artist lives in Los Angeles, the United States.
According to Martiros Manoukian, he was born an artist. “God gives each of us something at birth, and a person doesn’t become an artist – he is simply born an artist, and I’ve always believed in myself”.

Also, the artist appreciates his teachers, as they were great masters. “I have many favorite artists, and I see them all as a great bouquet, in which the absence of even a single flower would be a great loss. I would like to have the light of Girodet, line of Ingre, courage of Picasso and colors of Chagall. In fact, I do not know what I feel when I paint, I just paint my mood, feeling that is impossible to catch with the eye.”
Read more »

Wasteland. Li Hongbo Silhouettes Cut from Knives

Li Hongbo Silhouettes Cut from Knives
Chinese artist from Beijing has made an incredible series of knives with elaborately carved figures out of the blades. Openwork pattern is if grows of metal: frozen for an instant family of deer, flying eagle, and a shooter, hiding behind a tree. In short, the skilful hand of the master turns ordinary kitchen knives into works of art. Meanwhile, a special attraction is due to the contrast between the heavy metal blades and almost weightless figures created out of their bases.
Born in 1974 in Jilin province, China, Li Hongbo graduated from Fine Arts Department of Jilin Normal University (1996). Besides, in 2002 he completed a course of Folk Art Department of Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China. Li Hongbo is a member of Experimental Art Committee of Chinese Artists Association.
Read more »

A small boxwood orb decorated inside and outside with carving on religious themes – Prayer Nut wood carving art

Prayer Nut wood carving art
First of all, to produce such a prayer nut required considerable skill. Within the scope of the concave a skillful master carved miniature stories about the life of Christ and his apostles. Noteworthy, the width of a “nut” was no more than 3-5 cm in diameter. And to add flavor to patterns the artist added leaves of spice plants or aromatic oil. Undoybtedly, every Prayer Nut is a true work of art. Only the very rich could afford to order such a pocket-like altar. Therefore, possession of “prayer nuts” underlines the high social status. Designed to be worn on a rosary or belt these orbs could be used for private devotion. In particular, when its wealthy owner traveled. Therefore, they were known as rosary beads or prayer nuts.
The skill of medieval craftsmen still amazes. Every detail of the composition conceived and executed with maximum precision. These exquisite Prayer nuts adorn exposures of the world’s leading museums. Among them the British Museum in London and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Louvre. A few years ago at an auction one such nut was sold for 133,250 pounds.

Read more »

Tiny insects from waste made by British artist. Julie Alice Chappell Techno-Entomology art

Julie Alice Chappell Techno-Entomology art
British artists Mark Oliver and Julie Alice Chappell turn the old printed circuit boards into the light-winged fine butterflies, moths, and flies. It looks like a fairy-tale transformation of Cinderella into a princess. Teir so-called Techno-Entomology art works from waste are delicate and airy. It seems that the butterfly is about to wave its wings and fly to a blossoming lawn.
Noteworthy is Julie’s Art project called «Computer Component Bugs». The word «bug» has a double meaning – “bug” and “bug in a computer program.” Meanwhile, creating her works the artist wanted to draw attention to the problem of waste disposal, and generally to environmental protection.
Read more »

Cornflowers. Oil on canvas. Painting by Maria Pavlova

Painting by Maria Pavlova – beautiful still life of bouquets of wild flowers, cats, and birds. According to the artist, she creates paintings which would decorate any wall. St. Petersburg based artist Maria Pavlova graduated from the Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture named after Repin of the Academy of Fine Arts. Besides, she has been a member of the Union of Artists of St. Petersburg since 2005. Her art credo: “Art should cause only positive emotions”. Maria Pavlova participated in the exhibition “Impressionisme Russe” in the Russian Center in Paris in 2001. Then, followed her numerous solo exhibitions in Paris. In particular, “Festival D’Art Slave”, “La siecle dor”, “VI Festival of Slavic Culture, and “Rencontres de printemps” in 2002-2003, 2013, and 2014. She has been a permanent participant of art exhibitions in her native St. Petersburg (2003 – 2015).
Read more »

Selena – Mistress of the night sky, the Goddess of the Moon. Lacquer miniature by Svetlana Belovodova

Lacquer miniature by Svetlana Belovodova
Having graduated from the famous Fedoskino art school with honors in 1996, Russian artist Svetlana Belovodova became engaged in lacquer miniature painting professionally. By the way, she considers herself a happy person. Indeed, isn’t it just a dream when your passion for art becomes your favorite work for life? Meanwhile, the artist creates stories, embodied in the author’s jewelry and exclusive gifts, such as miniature lacquer caskets and small panels. And while painting portraits, she uses unique technique, in particular, lacquer combined with stones and beading.
Svetlana lives and works in the city of Dmitrov of Moscow region. She is a member of the Artists’ Union of arts and crafts of Russia (2004).
Read more »

A girl in a flower wreath. Russian painter Nikolai Fedyaev

Russian painter Nikolai Fedyaev
Born May 4, 1967 in the city of Lyskovo of Nizhny Novgorod region, Fedyaev spent his childhood in the ancient village of Isady on the picturesque banks of the Volga. Vivid memories of childhood about Russian nature, and, in particular, a magnificent view of the Macarius Monastery, reflected in his first drawings.
Meanwhile, in the 1970s the family moved to the city of Izmail, Odessa region. There in 1984 Nikolai graduated from the children’s art school and wanted to devote himself to art. But a year later, he was drafted into the army – the Black Sea Fleet. First it was the navy, then a civilian, he wanted to see distant lands, and get a romantic adventure. It seemed not for long, but as many as two decades the profession of a sailor, which he shared with creativity, has become a significant part of his life.
Read more »