In Romantic Terrace Katia Lourashevich Ricci has created a piece which strongly resembles the masterpieces of the impressionist era. Like many pieces in her repertoire, Romantic Terrace uses color, texture, and the subject matter in harmony to create a visually stunning piece.

Stylistically, this piece is very reminiscent of the impressionist movement, specifically that of Claude Monet or Vincent Can Gogh. Note how the artist chooses to use the blues in the background. There is a layering of the colors rather than a smooth sky which creates movement within the piece. Additionally, there is not a strong blending between colors in the background. The blues and whites are allowed to rest on the canvas using strong brush strokes. Compare this technique to the foreground of the painting. Where the background lends to the style of Field with a Stormy Sky the foreground blends more smoothly such as can be found in other impressionist art.

When viewing the texture and the use of the brushstrokes within this piece, the viewer can see the impressionist influences. The tablecloth has a depth to it made from the strong contrasting colors and texture used to create it.  The plants, though lacking in detail, are recognizable as being such due to the smaller brushstrokes and color used to create layers of textures and depth. Contrasting this is the smooth texture of the chairs. While you have crisp textures used to create the background and the plants within the painting, the chairs and the table have a more smoothed look to them.

Although there is a level of detail to the foreground pieces, the viewer will see that there is not an over complication or details. Instead, the viewer is given enough information to piece the painting together. This method of painting allows the composition to have a life of its own. Rather than creating definitive realistic parts, the viewer is left being able to imagine and piece together the painting as his or her eye desires. Such a method again points to strong Impressionist influences.

The painting is not just an exercise in textures and layering. Katia Lourashevich Ricci understands the need to have the colors work together. She has created a masterpiece of this. First, the red focal point of the piece draws the viewer into the painting. Then the eye moves down and over to the chairs. Strong highlights on the chair help to guide the eye up and to the background. Then, the railing in the midground of the painting brings the eye back to the center of the painting.

 

 

In order to understand the painting more, we asked Katia Lourashevich Ricci to expound upon her work in the following questions.

 

Your painting shows strong Impressionism influences. Although every artist has a style of their own, many have a favorite artist from which he or she draws inspiration. Which artist has influenced you the most and why?

My constant source of inspiration is Claude Monet. I had an opportunity to admire visually his artworks, they are so different from alive, photographs do not do them justice not to mention that they bring you into a different unique dimension. The eye catches vivid colors and the fleeting moments get captured through fast overlaying of textured brushstrokes and the light shines through all the painting. His impressionism is like a key to a new reality where you wish to be.
In terms of inspiration I am also influenced by modern artists like Anne Cotterill, Gleb Goloubetskiy.

Most of your paintings contain flowers as the focal point. Can you explain how flowers play a part in your paintings? Are there any specific locations where you go to draw inspiration for your paintings?

Flowers are a part of our surrounding marvelous world and their simple or lush beauty reminds us of a lost paradise. I stared my artistic way with flowers and keep painting them from time to time trying new approaches and techniques. I like painting them on pleinair or just creating floral compositions by myself. The best thing about floral Impressionism is the in-predictability of the final result.

Why did you choose to create a different textural style than that of your other pieces? Specifically, in your other paintings, the backgrounds tend to be smoother and the highlights and shadows more blended. Was there a focus to create more of an impressionistic style with this painting, and if so why?

I am aware of differences in my paintings of earlier period and now and it can be explained that when trying styles and mediums while learning from Masters you can more easily find your own best artistic expression I am still in search of.

View more art by Katia Iourashevich Ricci

Please follow and like us:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Pin Share