olha pryymak

On the way to the West End. This is one of the least pleasant parts of the journey, looked paint – worthy yesterday for some reason, must have been the clear skies.

19 x 19 cm, oil on panel, 2011, buy it here

Other skies: 

Working out my understanding of beauty in art. Its devilishly complicated. Seems like our language is insufficient to explain it in words. This is my stab at it to explain it to myself:
Aesthetic beauty of a scene can not be measured and is different for a different viewer. It is a reaction, a feeling that helps perceive a piece of art in certain way. The viewers arrive with a set of social and cultural values that shape this aesthetic perception. This perception can be shared by a group of people where it is deemed more or less universal, but that changes with time. We live in the age where this perception is very individualistic, everybody has their say and its equally important. This led to broadening the scope of what is perceived as beautiful art… I feel like I’d rather get to painting now.

Moorgate sunshine IV, 2011, oil on panel, 20 x 20 cm, sold

I often get comments on why do I leave out the detail of the face.  The reason is simple – when I saw this scene, the light was what is important in it, the bright rays of sunshine basing the pavement. People who cut though this light are here to emphasize it and demonstrate it’s beauty. They are part of the scene, but human faces are so powerful and so attractive to the eye, that if I focus on their faces, the scene will become about them rather then the light.

As you may have noticed here, I am fascinated with the City and particularly with the folk working in it. Yesterday I took a ride to the Liverpool street for my favorite dim sum take out. It was so bright and clear, most office workers spilled outside around lunch time to take in the sunshine. Sidewalks were hard to navigate from the sheer number of sunbathers. I looked straight at the sun and the colors distorted to the point the human figures shimmered. I tried to represent it here.

2011, oil on panel, 20 x 20 cm, £159 (click on picture for purchase info)

Having fun with the nocturnal views of the cozy pub on Villiers street in Embankment.

A darker picture today, with just a few silhouettes in the red light of the pub.  It still catches my eye, particularly after spending time in America, how people here freely spill out of pubs with their drinks in hands, making up for a quite unique London scene.

2011, oil on panel, 15 x 15 cm, £79

2010, oil on panel, 15 x 15 cm, sold

Third 20×20 cm painting of the shiny Queen Victoria street in the City.

2010, oil on hardboard, 20×20 cm, £225 via GoFigurative

Second painting in the series of soggy City evenings with the street lights taking center stage.

2010, oil on panel, 20x 20 cm, £225 via Etsy