Plein air isn’t just a breaking the routine of the usual artistic process; it’s an entire philosophy that allows artists to experience and understand the world around them more deeply. Last year, the “Kraski Zhizni” Art Support Foundation, together with the “Novy Svet” and “Bereg Nadezhdy” Creative Assemblies, organized two plein airs: “Golden September” on the Solovetsky Islands and “Art-SEA” in the picturesque Novy Svet, located on the southern coast of Crimea.
The results of these trips can be seen in the group exhibition “Crimea – Solovki: Paintings of Two Seas.” Each of these places boasts a rich history, unique atmosphere, and natural beauty, inspiring artists to create memorable works of art. The Solovetsky Islands, renowned for their majestic architecture of ancient monasteries and pristine nature, provided the backdrop for these stunning sketches.
Here, the seas and boulders are framed by the soft light of sunset, and the winds carry the scents of pine forests – this living voice of a distant island can now be heard by viewers at the exhibition “Crimea – Solovki: Paintings of Two Seas.” At the same time, the plein air painting in Novy Svet became a true artistic ode to Crimea. The pristine waters of the Black Sea, groves, and mountain landscapes filled the artists’ works with vibrant colors and vivid emotions.
In this picturesque corner of Crimea, painters found inspiration in every leaf, every wave, and every ray of sunlight. During their plein air sessions, 10 resident artists created over 70 paintings, and during their time in the studio, they developed new creative directions inspired by their travels, bringing the total to over 100 canvases. Each work, created both from plein air and collected materials, embodies not only the artist’s technical mastery but also the soul of the place itself.
Resident artist at the “Kraski Zhizni” gallery:
South Sea: Evgenia Bannik, Evgeny Tsybulin, Natalia Delieva, Natalia Mikhailova
North Sea: Tatiana Mashkarova, Svetlana Elovenko, Evgenia Reznik, Valeria Skorikova, Ivan Myasnikov
Exhibition opening: February 22 at 5:00 PM, free admission
Address: 16 Nepokorennykh Ave., Bldg. 1D, ArtPRO Youth Art Gallery
Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, free admission
