The Story in the Journey

The passion of an artist – the collection of stories and emotions that inspire their art - is more to them than just their talent. They share their stories with the audience in hopes that the subject on display would be understood. For many painters, this is not an easy feat. They pour their soul onto the canvas in hopes that someone would feel the sentiment that is part of their creation. There is almost always no guarantee that the audience will understand where they’re coming from.

Oftentimes, the viewer does not understand the pain that was felt nor do they hear the sounds of inspiration motivating the artist to continue painting their particular image. If an artist can translate these emotions into their artistry and effectively have the viewer feel them, the image is better appreciated. A relationship is then built between the viewer and the artist. This becomes the basis of genuinely collecting art.

There is a story that is a part of every artist’s journey. The road is full of discipline, defying the odds, overcoming obstacles, and deep self-assessment – all of such avenues lead to the same outcome: finding success with contentment.



Sergey Cherep is no stranger in understanding the importance of having these attributes in his own story. He never allowed life’s hiccups to detour him from achieving his goal as an artist.

Cherep, born in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Russia, started studying art from an early age. As a toddler, he developed meningitis and became paralyzed inhibiting him from being able to walk, speak or hear in his right ear for several years. But even as a young child, Sergey found comfort in painting.


Sergey’s talent was refined by attending college at the prestigious Serevo Institute. There he was taught classic art forms, restoration methods and understanding European art history. Because the school was free, they were able to dictate what they wanted the students to create, not allowing them to be innovative in their artistry. “We did very traditional things; there was no freedom. There was no such thing as abstract art because it was considered very Western and evil.”

After trying his hand at selling art on the streets of Russia, Sergey caught hold of a new dream. He made the decision to come to America and find the artistic freedom he so desperately desired. Sergey worked hard and it paid off. Every morning he would wake up before the sun to start sketching. Once he is comfortable with his drawing, he would begin to paint. Sergey signature style allows his work to be recognized immediately.

As a self-confessed Post-Impressionist, he admits the resemblance of his technique with that of the great Van Gogh’s. “I love the simplicity of color and energy found in his work. The bold unrealistic colors and expressive brushstrokes of my predecessors are my tools as I try to bring a three-dimensional feeling out from the painting by using color perspective and thick texture. My paintings are like fairy tales- a dream place. I don’t see things as realistic. I allow for the fantastic to happen.”

Sergey Cherep will be painting live at Baterbys Second Fridays event on April 13^th. There, it will be easy to watch a great artist unfold his story as he allows us to be a part of his journey. As you understand his work and his life better, maybe you’ll walk away with more than just a work of art.

Meet Elena Bond: First Impressions, Last

If you happen to view an Impressionistic artwork, step back a little, squint your eyes and try to look at it from different angles to scrutinize the varying effects of the light as it casts a gradation of shades and tones on the piece. If people back then went through these steps, they would have understood the intention of Monet and his friends during their first collective exhibit in Paris. When Impressionism was first introduced to the public in 1874, it had gone under a harsher light of scrutiny.

The rule of thumb about first impressions stayed true to its essence: it lasted. Centuries later, this movement that casted shadows of doubt on the art scene emerged as a major precursor of latter definitive art movements. Today, Impressionism is not only widely praised, but more so, it has evolved and mutated into other branches. Nonetheless, there are some artists whose work still reflects the classical elements of playing freely with light and color as with perception and vision.

We are excited to introduce to our clients and future collectors an amazing artist whose skills reflect the great Impressionist masters of the past. As a master of Heavy Impasto (pallet knife painting), Russian-born Elena Bond began creating from a very early age where she would draw and use her mother’s makeup for color. At the tender age of eleven, she attended an art school whose main curriculum was visiting museums where the students not only learned the basics of art, but also the theories behind it.



This experience helped her understand her calling to be an artist. When Elena was fifteen, she attended the State College of Art in Uzbekistan where she completed her major of Scenic Design with honors. Her work after which ranged from teacher, restorer and theatre set designer.

Elena factors in the intricacies of color, depth, subject matter within the wider context of perception and truth. A viewer sees an Impression of a café in Paris or a beach scene in the Mediterranean under the strictest adherence to her persona vision. The true beauty of her artistry lies beneath her process of creating. Under the right light and from the correct distance, the image changes right before your eyes. It transforms into a personal, almost reminiscent account of a similar place, time and context.



Elena Bond’s work demonstrates the techniques many of the independent artists in the 1800’s adopted: short, broken brushstrokes that barely convey forms; pure unblended colors; and an emphasis on the effects of light on the subject matter. The impressions her work may leave on you may last longer that her own memories – a quality only the Masters could have achieved.

After years of working in Eastern Europe, Elena and her family won the Green Card Lottery to the United States. Here in the US she is able to continue painting both recreationally and professionally. Elena currently works as a set designer for the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, as well as a gallery favorite all over Central and South Florida. We at Baterbys Art Gallery are truly fortunate to host an evening with this iconic Artist. This event will not only showcase a star, it will also show that we at Baterbys are passionate about our artists.



Start your collection of Elena Bonds Works and see her live at out Second Fridays Event on March 9, 6pm.

Similar Differences: Ladies in Waiting

Because I work in a Gallery, I am privileged to experience openings, exhibits, events and so much more. With these experiences I often gravitate towards the artworks and mediums that catch my eye and the ones I can draw a story from. There have been times when I have mistaken one artist over another. The similarities in the story can force a novice (like me) to wonder: Did they all go to the same school and study under the same professor? Did they have the same upbringing? Did they all run in the same circles like the Surrealist or Impressionists?

Although I may innocently mistake one artist over another; it’s a challenge to focus on them as individuals and not as a click.

Several artists come to mind regarding the very obvious similarities and subtle differences in their works. The easiest way to understand what I perceive is for you to view their work yourself.

Pino

Pino Deani – born (born Giuseppe Dangelico) is an Italian Impressionist who paints beyond the figurative. His subject matter generally consists of women who are lost in thought or waiting on their lovers.

Pino had a gift of portraying women in a romantic way that was seductive, yet still tasteful. The way he painted took impressionism into the genre of realism. He detailed his models so much so that from a distance, it is hard to believe that they are actually paintings and not photographs.

Finding beauty in his works, big publishing companies and authors sought Pino out to Illustrate for their romance novels. Although fame and fortune found him in these avenues, Pino craved more. He left the Illustrations behind and returned to his passion of painting. In his new chosen vocation, his fame skyrocketed past his reputation as an illustrator and propelled him into a world of galleries, exhibits and television appearances.

Chen

Hua Chen, Born in Beijing, China, like Pino, is an acclaimed Impressionist. He also found true beauty in the female form. By using soft pastels and serene scenery, Chen depiction of women is created to showcase the true essence of inner beauty. The soft stroke of his brush signifies a tenderness no one can ignore.

Chen has exhibited in Hawaii, Japan, China and the United States. Allowing his artworks to speak for themselves, he was invited to be an official Olympic artist for the 2008 games. “The organization was looking for artists from the host country of China, and after having seen Chen's series of paintings featuring dancers; they thought he would be a natural fit." - Koleen Kaffan



Pino and Chen are just examples of how art speaks for itself. Although they have similarities in their muses, the way they see their subject indicates that individuality is something that can never be copied.

Now, let’s take a look at two more painters: Itzchak Tarkay and Isaac Maimon.

Honestly when I was just learning about different mediums and styles, I confused these two artists often. This is funny to me because now that I can clearly see the differences in their work, I wonder how I could have mistaken them before.

Tarkay

Itzchak Tarkay, born in Subotica on the Yugoslav-Hungarian border, had what some would consider a rough childhood. Through the odds of concentration camp and relocating to a foreign land, Tarkay’s artistic skills were developed at an early age.

Tarkay received a scholarship to the Bezalel Art Academy where he studied for one year, but circumstances in his family’s financial situation forced him to make difficult decisions concerning his art studies, and he had to drop out of school. In order to retain his scholarship he was permitted to continue his studies under the artist Schwartman until his enlistment in the Israeli Army. After his service ended he enrolled in the Avni Institute of Art.

Tarkay’s art is likened to Matisse’s fauvist colors and flat patterns and the drawing style of Toulouse-Lautrec. Tarkay’s women are symbolism of satisfaction. With heavy blue or purple eyeshade, these calm sisters relay a message of peace and tranquility by just being. Each woman has their own story, and if you were to ask them you would be amazed at the life they live.

Maimon



Isaac Maimon was born in Israel. Just like Tarkay, Maimon studied at Avni Institute of Fine Art in Tel Aviv, Israel’s most prestigious academy for the arts. He also gravitated toward the styling of the great masters, Matisse and Toulouse-Lautrec.

We all know Maimon for his colorful fashionistas! But Maimon has had the opportunity to engage upon different careers in his life. In his earlier years, he taught at different art institutions. By doing this, he was able to educated young artists with knowledge of the industry and kept his talent fresh and sharp.

Maimon, also a restaurant and pub owner would use his workplace as inspiration. He was often found in the back observing the customers. He would sketch their personality and expressions mimicking the life he perceived. Maimon would take the drawing, go back to his studio and put his drawing to canvas. Where the patrons came alive and the image would make you aware that you wanted to be where they were.

Though Tarkay and Maimon may be similar with their styles and study, it is apparent that an idea may be the same, but they see it in different ways. Often times when a painter is developing their skills, they practice and mimic many master painters of the past. And as they are being established they gravitate towards a style that is primarily their own.

For more information on our artists and their collectible artworks; CONTACT US TODAY!