Ukrainian-based painter Artem Tolstukhin has somewhat easy access to many of the great destinations throughout Europe. So when COVID-19 shut down many parts of the world, he had to rely on a variety of sketches and photographs from previous trips as inspiration for his artwork. “This helped me create my new paintings, but it was very hard to sit in the studio for a whole year and not go anywhere and not get new emotions,” he says. “Because new emotions for an artist are like a breath of air.”
Morning in Holland, oil, 18½ x 20½"
His rescuer, in more ways than one, was the COVID vaccine, which allowed him to once again travel and see the places he loved, as well as new destinations. Without being tethered exclusively to his studio, Tolstukhin quickly got to work on his new show, Time and Time Again, opening January 20 at Paul Scott Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“My new series was inspired by my new travels in Europe. Each new trip to Holland, France or Spain inspires me more and more,” he says. “I find for my work more and more new sources of inspiration in architecture or seascapes or in beautiful flowering parks. It is also very inspiring to visit European museums, where you can be inspired by the paintings of world-famous masters.”
French Summer, oil, 19 x 19¾"
Sunny France, oil, 15¾ x 23¼"
New works include images of canals in Holland, beaches in France and lovely new pieces that are close-up views of plants and insects. The works have a luscious texture to them, almost like fabric or a fine embroidery. The artist is hesitant on revealing his methods for these pieces. “Many people ask me how I make such a texture, but this is my author’s technique, which I have been searching for for a long time,” he says. “This is a very time-taking process that requires a lot of patience and dedication. Maybe someday I’ll give a master class and show my magic to people.”
Butterflies, oil, 19 x 19¾"
When it comes to composition, though, Tolstukhin does reveal what draws him to his subjects and how he presents them. “First, I find motives that suit my style—this is the most important thing when choosing what I want to write. When I find the look I want, a finished painting is immediately born in my thoughts and I just need to transfer it to the canvas,” he says. “I really like European landscapes [because] they are very helpful in helping to express my style and my aesthetics. I also love compositions that are saturated in color. Color explanation of emotions is important for my inner world.” —
Paul Scott Gallery
7103 E. Main Street • Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 596-9533 • www.paulscottgallery.com
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