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MARIA |
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“According
to the art experts
Maria
is a representative of the modern artists in contemporary
realism. Her art is classical and modern in the same time. During her artistic
career Maria's realism is evolving from Classical
Realism to the modern Photorealism and Minimalism.
Her specific exceptional technique of acrylic and oil with many
layers of colours, made by ordinary brush and airbrush, give
her paintings a magnificent depth and atmosphere. She makes
unique combination of the old traditional paint technique with modern
instruments as airbrush.
Maria uses the old technology of special preparation of the canvas,
following the old traditional way. The painting process starts with
a precise under painting with acrylic over black background. Using small
brush strokes to build the three
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dimensions of the subject, Maria defines the form and accentuates its
highlights. Then, using airbrush, she applies to the painting transparent
glazes of colours. The life-like quality that characterizes her paintings
is due to this unique multi-layer technique of transparent airbrush
glaze over lucent acrylic.
Her early Still-Life paintings are inspired by the Dutch and Flemish
masters of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Maria’s early Still-Lives
feature compositions of opulent fruit, fabric, flowers, glasses and
candles show her mastery and prove the eternity of this fine art genre.
Maria’s latest Still-Life
are inspired by the contemporary Minimalism, and Photo-Realism.
In her “Apples Series” she feature minimalistic compositions,
painted in her exceptional technique in photo-realistic manner.
Creating
simple,
central composition with central light coming from above, her aim is to
intrigue the viewers, and to focus
their attention on the simple beauty of ordinary objects. About this
New Collection of paintings Maria confesses: “I'd
like to convince the spectators that there is so much beauty and harmony
around us. People are missing this pleasure in their busy world so my aim
is to capture someone's eye across the room and tease them into drawing
closer, and closer until they can feel the pleasure-full sensation.”
With her art - Still-Lives
made in the best tradition of the genre, Maria demonstrates her desire
for more harmony and beauty in our busy life.
TV Bulgaria - the Satellite Channel
of the Bulgarian National TV is making
a film
about
Maria
more photos
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BIOGRAPHY |
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Maria was born in Bulgaria in 1966. In 1980, after she
gets First Place on the entering examines, Maria began to study drawing, painting,
sculpture, art composition, and art-printing, at the "Tsanko Lavrenov" High
School Of Fine Arts, Plovdiv, Bulgaria , where she graduated on First Place in
1985. In the same year - 1985 - she continued her art education in the
Fine Arts Department of "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" University, Bulgaria,
specialised in plastic arts and oil painting and graduated from the University
with Master of Fine Arts in 1990.
She is a Teacher of the Year in Fine Arts, Bulgaria, 1992.
1993
- 1995 Maria is a lecturer in art composition and painting
at the High School Of Fine Arts in Plovdiv, and now is working full-time
on artworks in her studio in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
She has been
a member of the Union of the Bulgarian Artists, Plovdiv since 1992.
Besides in the field of Still Life she also works
in the field of portrait and figured realism.
Since 1995
Maria is working with many
galleries all over the world: "Galleriet" and "Amare" in Stavanger, Norway; "Voshan",
CA, Fine-Art Metropolis, MA, Astohomedesign Woshington DC, USA; with "Seki Art Salon" and "Triumph
Gallery", Tokyo, Japan; and “Ronald Coles Investment Art Galleries”, Sydney,
Australia, as well as with many Bulgarian Art Galleries.
Maria has several solo shows,
participation in numerous National and International
juried exhibition, and
realized Collaborative Projects with her husband, the artist Valery Varbanov:
(www.varbanov.dir.bg
www.varbanov.evro.net).
During their artistic careers Maria
and Valery Varbanov have realized several Collaborative and few Solo
art-projects – in the field of abstract, realistic and photo-realistic art. They
are experimenting in wide range of genres – Abstract and Surrealistic
compositions, Still Life in Classical Realism and Photorealism, Photorealistic
Portraits and Figure. Recently they are also working in the field of the
art-photography and video-art. In their creative process they are using a
computer in the building of the primary projects for their paintings.
After the Graduation from the University Maria
and Valery Varbanov are taking part in numerous National and International
Exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad. After 1995 they are exhibiting mainly in
foreign galleries, thus now they are more well-known artists abroad- in
Stavanger, Norway, Palo Alto and Boston, USA, in Tokyo, Japan and Sydney,
Australia.
Maria's artworks are
included in Corporate and Private collections in Bulgaria, Norway, USA,
Japan, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, U.A.E. and in many other
coutries all around the world.
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| SELECTED
SOLO EXHIBITIONS: |
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1993
- National Gallery "Zl. Boiadziev", Plovdiv, Bulgaria
1995 - City Gallery of the Association of Artists in Plovdiv,
Bulgaria
1997 - Art Gallery "Galleriet", Stavanger, Norway
2003
- Art Gallery "Galleriet", Stavanger, Norway
2006
- Art Gallery "Teddy", Varna,
Bulgaria
2007
- Art Gallery "Seasons",
Sofia, Bulgaria
2007
- Art Center "Altera" in the World Trade Center Interpred, Sofia,
Bulgaria
2007
- Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, "Sredets"
Hall, Sofia, Bulgaria
2008 -
Gallery "Amare", Stavanger, Norway in the frame of
Stavanger 2008 European Capital of
Culture 2008
2009
- Art Center RG-21,
Rouse, Bulgaria |
Maria & Valery Varbanov
represented Bulgaria in Stavanger’08
– European Capital of Culture
with
Collaborative Exhibition
“The Forbidden Fruit – Realistic
and Mystic”
paintings, art photography, workshop and video-art projections
and
life-painting-show
in the biggest private gallery in
Norway - Gallery "Amare" in Stavanger, Norway
8th May
- 6th June 2008
The event was
sponsored by:
The
Bulgarian Ministry of Culture
Bulgarian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Communication
Strategy for the EU accession of
Bulgaria
the Norwegian
Concern "Risa" and "Jaerbetong"
more photos
>>
Collaborative
exhibition of Maria and Valery Varbanov - "The Apple - Realistic and Abstract"
at Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, "Sredets"
Hall, Sofia, Bulgaria, September 2007
more photos >>
Maria at Art Center "Altera"
in the World Trade Center Interpred, Sofia,
Bulgaria, May 2007
more photos >>
Maria at Gallery "Sezoni", Sofia,
Bulgaria, March 2007
more photos >>
Maria at
Teddy
Gallery, Varna, Bulgaria, December 2006
| SELECTED GROUP
EXHIBITIONS:
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Since
1992
- Participation in the main exhibitions of the
Association of Artists in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
1995 - National Art exhibition "Autumn Saloon",
"Shipka 6" Art Gallery, Sofia, Bulgaria
1993
- International Art Bienale, Gabrovo, Bulgaria
1994 - National Art Exhibition, Kjustendil, Bulgaria
1995 - National Art Exhibition, Lovetch, Bulgaria
1995 - 2008 - Art Gallery "Galeriet",
Art Gallery "Amare"
in Stavanger, Norway
2002 -
2007
-"Voshan" Fine Arts Gallery, PaloAlto, CA, USA
2002 -
2008
-"Seki
Art Salon", Tokyo, Japan
2003 -
2008 -"Triumph Gallery", Tokyo, Japan 2004 - Tokyo
International Art Fair 2004
- Ronald Coles Investment Art
Galleries, Sydney, Australia 2005
- Astrohome Design - LLC, Washington, DC, USA 2007
- Gallery Art-M, Tryavna, Bulgaria 2007
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Maria represented Bulgaria on
the First Biannual EMMA -
European Masters of Modern Art, in the Water-Castle of Burgau,
Austria |
Maria represented Bulgaria on
the First Biannual EMMA
- European Masters of Modern Art, in the Water-Castle of Burgau,
Austria.
60 artists from 33 countries were selected for the EMMA exhibition.
Maria won
3rd place at the EMMA
Visitors' Award.
The three paintings, which Maria showed at EMMA
are the best from her
“Portraits of Apples” Series.
Sponsor of Maria’s participation at EMMA is the Bulgarian pharmaceutical
company –Actavis
more photos
from EMMA >> Back
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Galleries that handle
Maria's art works |
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Art Center RG-21, Ruse,
Bulgaria
Gallery Art-M, Tryavna, Bulgaria
"Altera" Art Gallery
in the World Trade Center-Interpred , Sofia, Bulgaria
Art Gallery "Seasons", Sofia,
Bulgaria
Teddy
Gallery, Varna, Bulgaria
Ronald Coles Investment Art Galleries, Sydney, Australia
Astrohome Design - LLC, Washington, DC, USA
"Seki Art Salon", Tokyo, Japan
"Triumph" Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
"Voshan" Fine Arts Gallery, Palo Alto, CA, U.S.A.
Gallery "Amare", Stavanger, Norway
Gallery "Galleriet", Stavanger, Norway
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PRESS
RELEASES:
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The Bulgarian most luxury
life-style magazine –
"Premium Lifestyle",
represented Maria’s art and her
participation at EMMA respectively in its Spring 2007 and Summer 2007
issues.
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“Gulf Connoisseur”
Magazine January/February 2004
issue |
“Gulf Connoisseur”
Magazine October/November
2005 issue |
“Essence” The Ritz-Carlton Magazine,
Jan/Feb/Mar
2006 |
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To view the issues of "Gulf
Connoisseur" and "Essence" - The Ritz-Carlton
Magazine for Middle East and Turkey
click
here
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Why do I choose to
work in classical realistic style?
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Artists learn everything they can about other artists' styles and
techniques throughout history, filter this information through their own
experience and temperament, and generate their own style.
It can take years for an artist to develop a
specific style, reflecting his or her artistic range and personal
temperament. But, in my opinion, an artist's work must not stop there.
Artists have to constantly take on new stylistic challenges. In this
sense, I’m not afraid of searching for new ways and means of expression.
I’m always trying out new subjects, media, and perspectives - to keep my
work fresh and original.
Some artists find that the emotional impulse drives
them to create, and seek to reveal that emotion in their art. Other
artists are drawn to innate logic and order; they are likely to take a
rational approach to art. Concerning my art, I would say that I’m
seeking to find the balance and accord between emotion and rationality
in my paintings.
I think that the art with classical or rational
tendencies continues to be very popular because it brings to our busy
lives a sense of balance and harmony. With my art I try to persuade the
viewers that if we look carefully enough, we can find a certain
classical beauty and elegant form in the most ordinary objects and
materials. I try to suggest trough my images that perhaps there is a
mysterious, underlying order even in our chaotic world.
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What is
Still Life for me?
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On definition a Still life is a picture of inanimate objects. It has
always been an important formal exercise for an artist. The aim of the
artist is to capture volume, texture and color convincingly enough to
convey an illusion of reality. But I always try to create still lifes that
are more than just a picture of objects. I would like my still lifes to
have a hidden content, to tell a story or to remind us of life’s
brevity.
When I arrange my still lifes, I don’t simply
choose attractive or interesting objects to depict, but I choose objects
that symbolize aspects of our existence and human presence.
My sill lifes have to look like deserted stage sets in a state of suspended
animation - just waiting for the next act to begin, like someone has
just left or someone will just come.
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The creative process
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When I decide to create a
still life, I always have a plan in my mind. I always have a screenplay
for the story I would like to relate. When the idea is clear, I begin to
think about the ways to realize it. When I set the scene, I have to find
the best and the only one possible composition which should convey my
idea, I have to find the most attractive combination of the objects
themselves, their location, the lighting conditions and last but not
least - the point of view. In my opinion, the most important and
powerful means for the still life is the
light. When I arrange my still lifes I
prefer to use light which imitate the natural illumination – like in a
late summer afternoon or morning, and sometimes - intimate candle
lights. This way I achieve warmer and more intimate atmosphere, the
feeling of romantic contemplation or dramatic tension in my still lifes.
For the
painting
- I use canvas prepared with hand made ground coat, following the
technology of the old masters, with gesso-ground based on natural
organic substances.
I prefer to paint on black or dark gray background.
While I paint, I like the objects in my still lifes to appear from the
dark. First I make a precise under painting with acrylic, using a small
ordinary brush. Then I continue with oil using airbrush and brush. My
latest still lifes are made with acrylic paint only.
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I’ve been often asked with question -
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How long does it take to paint one still life like this?
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The answer I always give is that each painting
is different and it depends on the size and the objects. But it is
always at the cost of 33 years painting practice, experience and
knowledge.
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When do I decide that the
painting is completely ready?
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As to me - “That is the question!” It is very important
to know when to stop. One painting, especially realistic, could be
painted lifetime. You have to believe me that it’s a very big temptation
and challenge to paint out to the full the painting (especially when you
have the experience to do this). To me each painting is like a child who
grows and suddenly it gets its own personality and character. And there
comes the moment when you have to respect and follow its own life. The
key is to realize where to stop, to overcome the artistic narcissism and
desire for a skill demonstration, and to conform to the painting’s life.
I’ve been always aspired to keep the painting’s freshness and achieved
mood; do not overpaint it. I’ve never had the ambition to achieve a
hyper realistic quality in my paintings because I find it senseless for
my still lifes. It’s more important for me to attain the mood,
atmosphere and to tell the story I would like to share, and - to suggest
the spirit I wish to inspire.
Maria Varbanova, December 1999
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RECENT COMMISSIONS:
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The biggest Italian investor in
Bulgaria Edoardo Miroglio ordered to Maria to create a collection of
8 paintings for the new Hotel in his Wine-cellar in Elenovo, Thracian
region, Bulgaria.
Each painting features different kind of grapes
cultivated in EM Winery.
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PORTRAITS:
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Maria
Varbanova in process of creating a copy of a portrait from 19th
century
in the National Museum of Arts, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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e-mail:
mariavarbanova@yahoo.com
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Copyrights
©1998-2009 Maria Varbanova & Valery Varbanov - All rights reserved. Design by
Valery Varbanov
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