Sunday, February 13, 2011

Valentine Art Affection

For the past twenty years of my life, which is the whole of my life actually, I had made myself believe that I loathe colors. I still do, yes, especially the bright, opulent shades, specifically in the segment of clothing. I am definitely not a member of the gawsy brigade, those people who try to project offending cheerfulness through the clothes they wear. I like to live life in more sombre shades. I prefer to dress up in grays and dull blues. I even like my pictures in black and white, or at max, sepia.

So, when I put up this picture as the my blog's header sometime back, doubling up as my blogs identity, I was initially skeptical of my own decision. But then, the colors in this painting wielded their magic. I was literally stupefied, and left to gape at it in mute admiration. So, there it remained, adorning my blog, making it look pretty.


I often develop a child-like fondness for things. From a child's perspective, everything appears big, appears magnified. So is the case with me. The moment I become fond of something, I attach to it many superlatives which totally justify my predilection towards it. When this painting started hypnotysing me and its colors began coruscating in my dreams, I, besides extolling its beauty in, again, superlative terms, was living under the illusion that this is one-of-its-kind painting, and that I may never come across another like it. However, my myth was soon dispelled by the contemporary divine entity- Google- which has answers to all questions we ask, sometimes even those questions which we don't ask.

A few days back, I stumbled upon this picture. Purely by chance.


The style of painting seemed similar to the one on my blog. Even though I am no connoisseur of art forms of any kind, the ease with which the artist had played with colors seemed very familiar, identical even to the painting that had so far been ruling my mind. After probing a little more, with a few random keywords, on, of course, the monolith of all information, Google, I was able to trace the painter who painted both the above beauties. And, many more.

Leonid Afremov- A search by his name on Google images opened a whole world of unbelievable splashes of color in front of my eyes. For more than an hour, I just kept on staring at his different creations. Just looking at his painting made me happy. Many of them were similar. I guess this Belarusian painter has a penchant for painting boulevards, with couples walking down the road. His paintings have immense depth. I could imagine myself walking down the same boulevard with my love. Two of my most favorite paintings of this category (besides the one on my blog's header) are these.



As I look at these paintings, I can't help but once again marvel at the blend of colors in them. In the both these, what I especially like is the way the lamp light is softly illuminating the scene.

Besides painting long roads and multi hued trees lining them, Leonid Afremov also has a clear proclivity towards paintings couples. Couples, presumably in love, appear on most of his canvases. I should not use the word 'presumably' here. His couples are visibly in love, often, passionately in love. And this, is conveyed very elegantly in his paintings. Check out these two for example.




So this Valentines, because I have nothing better to do, I will allow this brilliant artist's grand creations to haunt me. Event though I adore the above two paintings, these are not exactly the ones I would like to see in my dreams. The ones, which actually transport me into a dream land are the ones which depict couples with more subtler shades of passion engulfing them. In fact, in those paintings, what is depicted in place of passion is togetherness- long enduring togetherness, the kind of companionship I could kill for.






















The first painting is may be the kind of Valentine's date I would want for myself- a private time together, in each other's casual embrace, discussing a million things which make us perfect for each other, confessing and reconfessing our love and completely losing ourself to the beauty of the moment.

The second painting is titled "The Last Date", and hence, for comprehensible reasons, makes me feel sad. Love forms an indispensable part of my existence, and whenever love is wounded, I can't help but feel sad.

Anyway. Hats off to Leonid Afremov. I hope that someday I am able to buy at least one of his creations, because I have turned into a big, incorrigible admirer of his. For all the right reasons for sure.
(Thanks for making me fall in love with colors again)

30 comments:

  1. Glad am first one to comment on your post.
    Leonid Afremov has always been one of my favorites.
    Plus, I have always loved his themes.
    Thanks for rem-embracing my memories for his paintings.

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  2. I am stunned that you knew about this painter. I had never heard of him, but I understand that to be my own ignorance. And i totally agree to you, his themes are adorable. My blog looks prettier by a mile now that his paintings adorn it.

    Thanks Aavika

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    1. Somehow couldnt get to the comment box, but have to say I loved this post

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    2. Thanks Jerly! Do look around, you might find something more to interest you.

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  3. :):) really nice..!!
    have fun tomorrow ;)

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  4. the paintings are truly commendable.....specially the third one....its a beautiful use of colours and they all gel along so well...and also the detailing done .....and I agree with you that when I vision being with my partner....its quite low on physical passion but the one which is not communicated but just understood.........after a long time I liked your post

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  5. "the best way to see the world is to see it from the eyes of a child-you see everything as if for the first time" Realize its beauty for the first time. Know what all exists beyond the shadows and veils for the first time.This realization of a thing for the first time makes even a simple thing very special.
    Everything the artist has tried to freeze upon the canvas are some things that he has seen many times, but is best represented as when he saw them for the first time- Just like a child watching the world for the first time and realizing to be a part of such a wonder.

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  6. @Pallak- Thanks ya! But my day remained incomplete sans you! You've been a tough, but my consistent Valentine in JMC. Love you Jagga!

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  7. @Vrinda- True Vrinda. The third painting, as I now see it, has a lot of depth to it, and I like the theme the painter has used. I feel the empty bench is symbolic of loneliness, emptiness within ourselves which we might witness when someone really close to us walks down the road of life, and we remain transfixed at our place.

    You commented after long. Welcome back!

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  8. @Mak- You were the first person with whom I shared my ecstasy at having discovered these paintings accidentally over Google images, so it does matter to me that you took out time to leave a comment. After a while you have discussed a philosophy with me, and that too, a refined philosophy based upon a crude assertion by me. It makes me happy. Very Happy.

    A big thank you for always being around. Any day that celebrates love cannot be conceived without you falling in the picture. Thanks again.

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  9. saumya....I read all of them but could'nt comment

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  10. oh!
    Ok.
    Still, it feels nice to have you back on my blog. Like, visibly.

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  11. Much theory of art is connected with painting.A painting – before being a warhorse, a naked woman or some story or other – is essentially a flat surface covered with colours assembled in a certain order.
    Paintings can express feelings and ideas which in this case has been expressed clearly by Saumya(in words ofcourse). It is thinking something out of the box which Saumya is an expert of. I like it miss.

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  12. Oh! What is it?
    I mean , i have never seen you comment like this. So refined in language and expression- what happened to you?

    But, I like it. Even though i feel i am not worthy of the way you have extolled me, I like it still.

    Thanks a ton!

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  13. Shut up Saumya!! Don't tell me you are worthy of what and what not.

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  14. I think i m getting addicted to ur blogs ,U don't need colours to paint ...u paint beautifully with the words. bless U.

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  15. Awww! Thanks ma'am. I hope I keep writing good, and keep receiving these appreciations from you. Like you are getting addicted my blogs, i am getting addicted to your comments.

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  16. I agree to shakuntalaji,...and further you are more then just an artist,...you are a soul for an art, an art to describe very many shades and colors of your ownself, its not easy (the collection itself proves the intimacy and dignity you have mastered)

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  17. Thanks a ton! Your anonymity, given the time you have spent in commenting on most of my posts, does bug me. Do consider revealing your identity when you surf my blog the next time..

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  18. hey...
    your blog nascentemissions is superb for those who really feel the art....
    Keep on writnig and chugging away!

    yours http://myideasmyspace.com

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  19. Dear Vijay,
    Thank you so much for those encouraging words. Keep reading!

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  20. Really appreciate your blog here. I had never seen this artist before. Thank you!

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  21. Thank you so much. Leonid Afremov is a legend; glad I could convey his works to you :)

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  22. Good blog, I am going to spend more time learning about this topic.....

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  23. @Vijay
    Glad my blog could lead you to something which creates interest. Thanks for the appreciation!

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  24. beautiful paintings.. full of colors....full of life.....thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. I love Afremov. Glad you liked my selection of paintings :)

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  25. Hi Saumya,

    I came across your blog after you posted a review for "Urban Shots: Crossroads". I am one of the authors in that book - "The Last Week".

    I was taken in by your blog header and found this post about these paintings. I loved Afremov's artwork, and spent some time looking them up. I found a website where he auctions his work. Some of them are pretty inexpensive, and I'm seriously considering purchasing. I thought you'd like the link, too.

    www.afremov.com

    Cheers,
    Raghav

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    1. Hi Raghav!

      Its lovely hearing from you. I did check the website out, but unfortunately, I will be in no position to buy his any of his masterpieces till I start earning. The same sentiment I wrote about in one of later blog posts, though I cannot remember which.

      The Last Week made for an amazing read. Congratulations for writing a very engaging story, which I am assuming to be your debut published work. Hoping your career as an author blooms as you progress.

      Do drop by sometimes, and let me know your views on what I write, how I write. Will mean a lot.

      Regards,
      Saumya

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