Face to Face art work by Marina

I've recently discovered an amazing artists Marina who lives in San Jose, California. Marina graduated from Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry. She is an accomplished artist whose beautiful pieces could be seen in private collections all over US and abroad.



How did you start?

I always liked to draw. When I was a kid I used to go to a neighborhood art studio. Later I got accepted to an art college where I continued my training. Finally, I got into Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry the most famous and prestigious art school in Russia.



What is your favorite painting technique?

I love to draw with oil and acrylic paints on canvases. I do ENGRAVINGS ON PAPER that is an original technique developed by me over years. I basically cut an image right on paper and then rub oil paint into the cut grooves. I like to add collages to my paintings as well. Sometimes I used ink, colored pencils, and acrylic paints to create images on pieces of handmade paper. I just really like to experiment!



What inspires you?

Believe it or not but I actually get inspired by art supplies. When you are in an art supplies store you have a chance to take a close look at all the paints, papers, pencils, pastels that are available for artists to experiment with. I always get an urge to go home and try a new pencil or a unique handmade paper.

Other artists' paintings and creations inspire me a lot. I buy books with artists' prints to look at for inspiration. I could compare it to a silent conversation between two artists. You see something beautiful and unique created by another artist and in response you feel an urge to create a piece of your own.
Occasionally I come across my old and forgotten piece and get inspired by it.

A unique flute teacher in Richmond, Virginia

We were recently introduced to a unique teacher of flute and piano residing in the Fan district of Richmond, Virginia. Svetlana came to the U.S. just a year ago to reunite with her daughter Maria, also a musician. Rich music traditions run deep in this wonderful family.

Svetlana Yefimova graduated from Saratov Conservatory, one of the oldest in Russia. Built in 1912, it's an institution with a long standing history of world-class music instruction. As a teacher of flute and piano with more than 40 years of experience, Svetlana nurtured a number of world famous flute players, winners of international music awards.

Russia is well known for its strong music traditions and unique teaching techniques. A number of world famous musicians were reared in the Russian musical system. Mstislav Rostropovich, Vladimir Spivakov, Dmitri Hvorostovsky all graduated from famous music institutions of Russia (ex-USSR).

Thanks to Svetlana we discovered a wonderful world of flute. It's a beautiful instrument that can help develop not only a taste for music but excellent breathing techniques extremely useful in our everyday life.

Russian Art at Lazare Gallery

We just found out about this wonderful gallery located between Williamsburg and Richmond in small and beautiful Charles city, Virginia. The gallery has a unique collection of Russian realist paintings and has close and deep personal and professional connections with a lot of outstanding Russian artists.



Lazare Gallery's three major collections include New Works by contemporary Russian artists, Soviet Era (1917-1991) art and Russian Era (1992-present) masterpieces!



Being originally from Moscow, Russia, we were much impressed by the variety and quality of Russian artists represented by the gallery. It's great to have an opportunity to show our children high quality Russian art!