Matrena and Elizaveta 2001

Volodymyr Loboda painted ‘Matrena and Elizaveta’ with decisive strokes of color that make these figures seem to emerge from a blue dream. I can imagine Loboda starting with that vibrant blue ground, then letting the forms of the figures arise from it, almost intuitively. See how the green outlines define their shapes, and the red adds a jolt of energy, especially in the plaid of Matrena's skirt? It's like he's building them up, layer by layer, searching for their essence. That bold green outline separating the two women, it's not just a line; it's a gesture, a boundary, a connection. It reminds me a little of Matisse's cut-outs, a similar delight in pure color and form. Artists are always riffing off each other, whether they know it or not! Painting is like that; it’s an ongoing conversation, a way of seeing and feeling that keeps evolving.