46″ x 54″, oil on canvas

I am perpetually inspired by the work of other artists I encounter.  This is the first in my “Artists I Like” series; a chance for me to put a spotlight on the works that have influenced me.  Let’s begin with the work of Russian/Ukrainian painter Fedor Zakharov.

In painting representational art you play two things off one another. The representation and the marks that create that representation. You can hide all the marks and enhance the illusion but suck life out of the expression. Or you can so emphasize the marks the illusion gets lost. I am most attracted to a harmony between the two, where we are completely aware of the illusion and at the same time marvel at the freshness and boldness of the calligraphy that created it. Continue reading →