Nadia Ryzhakova

Swan Lake

Oil on canvas 60x80cm

‘Swan Lake’ was inspired by the embankment in Worcester. However, the depicted image is very far from the realistic image of the town. Nadia transformed the reality into a new nearly abstract form. The background is painted by the free flow of paint in two directions on the surface of the canvas. With this technique the depiction of water is not merely visual illustration of it, but very physical representation of its liquid nature. Then a bank of swans was placed into the middle of the abstract painting and immediately turned it into the landscape, dividing the image between the lake and the trees.

The painting is formed by subconscious abstract marks, which seem to come together in some way to create the sense of the real, but it is not specifically photographic. There is something else is happening there what gives it other qualities.

Black Sheep

Oil on canvas 50x50cm

‘Black Sheep’ is inspired by a scene witnessed in Snowshill, but a similar landscape could be found in many other places in England. A pack of sheep is sheltering from the sun in the shadow of a tree. An ordinary scene turned into an allegoric image by the appearance of a black sheep on the foreground, at a distance from the rest of the flock. There is some irony about it. The sheep is gazing at the viewer with great curiosity, whereas the crowd of white sheep seems absolutely indifferent to things around them. They deeply engaged with the usual activities: eating and digesting the grass.

For an artist, ‘black sheep’ doesn’t have a negative connotation. To be a ‘black sheep’ means to be different from the others, to be curious, daring, and not just following the crowd. Could this painting be an allegoric image of Nadia - a Russian artist living in England? An artist who is not quite sure that she is accepted by the society, who is looking at the viewer hoping to be understood and accepted through her paintings.

Feelings

Oil on canvas 50x50cm

‘Feelings’ represents the stunning landscapes of England. Focal point is shifted to the background on the upper right and formed by a group of horses peacefully resting on the top of the hill. Warm quiet autumn day and the ‘kissing couple’ – is a romantic representation of English nature.

The panting is a combination of expressive paint splashes forming the trees, crisp graphics of the hills and graceful animals in the background. The style of those small but important details may remind one about the horses in Russian religious icons – anatomically correct but stylised flat silhouettes. The style of the painting is a unique fusion of contemporary approach and the elements rooted in traditional Eastern Orthodox art.

Morning in Blue

Oil on canvas 60x50cm

The early lights of the raising sun are defusing in the misty air. Three horses have just approached the lake not disturbing the harmony of nature. The style and this specific colour set, which I chose for the picture looks very Japanese. This painting is like Japanese haiku - very few words, but very deep meaning.

Tranquility

Oil on canvas 50x50cm

Avenue

Oil on canvas 50x50cm

In 2016 I entered John Palmer Painting Competition with this painting. I was incredibly lucky to become a winner. I thank the renowned artist Jake Sutton - the judge of the competition in that year. Mr Sutton spoke so highly about my painting: “The qualities I admired were firstly the attack and confident handling of paint in her landscape..."

Magenta Island

Oil on canvas 50x40cm

Meadow. Snowshill.

Oil on canvas 50x40cm

Autumn in the Lakes (2016)

Oil on canvas 50x50cm

Moss

Oil on canvas 50x50cm

Glider

Acrylics on canvas 50x50cm