Defining the Art of Valeri Tsenov

You may have noticed that recent blogs have been more about contemporary artists. This blog is to introduce  Valeri Tsenov (1961-).

Tsenov is a Bulgarian artist who studied painting, illustration, book design and graphics in his native country. His art reflects the influence of his homeland and his art education.

As I thought about Tsenov's work, I was struck with how many ways I could describe his style and his technique. Yes, there are the details of an illustrator and a certain classicism. Yet, his subjects reflect an inner world that at times can be surreal or iconic, mythic or modern, and symbolic or literal. How to define Tsenov?

You be the judge. What do you notice when you look at his works?

James Lavadour at the Venice Biennale

The Venice Biennale is a major international art exhibit which had its start in 1895. It is every two years and alternates with the Venice Biennale of Architecture. The art exhibit features innovative contemporary art and is a major event for an artist, not only for the recognition, but also for the sales that are made at the show.

This year, in fact this month, the bi-annual show opened and one of the invited artist lives in Oregon. His name is James Lavadour (1951-).

With no formal art classes, Lavadour taught himself to paint. His style reflects his surroundings as a native American living on the Umatilla reservations. Lavadour describes himself as .... an abstract action painter. I just happen to see landscape in the abstract events of paint.

Below are some of his works. Do you agree with Lavadour's self-description?

If you're going to Venice, the Biennale continues through November, 2013. If you'd like to learn more about the artist and his techniques, you can watch the video from Oregon Art Beat at: http://www.opb.org/programs/artbeat/segments/view/476