All eyes were on Vladimir Volegov as the Russia-born artist led a workshop Jan. 2-4 at the Virginia Beach School of Art and Gallery.
Tiffany Mason described the chance to learn from Volegov as “a once in a lifetime opportunity.” The Town Center resident moved to the area two years ago with her husband, a Navy F-18 pilot. She is pursuing painting as a career, and is enrolled in an online art course based in New York. Her classmates couldn’t believe she was participating in Volegov’s Virginia Beach course.
“It’s a big deal,” she said.
North End resident Maggi Davis said she was honored to interact with Volegov and have him critique her work. The workshop was exhilarating, she said.
Artist Diana De Boe of Great Neck also considered herself fortunate.
“First of all, I like his work, and second of all, he’s world class,” she said. His presence adds synergy and inspires people to go “to the next level,” she said. “We are so blessed.”
Joseph Simone is the artist, teacher and owner of the art school and gallery located in about 4,500 square-foot space in Hilltop. They were very fortune to have Volegov as a guest artist, he said. “We got lucky.”
Volegov, his wife Ekaterina and son Anton live near Barcelona, Spain. He agreed to make a first- ever trip to the area after conducting a workshop the week before in Florida.
Simone said they didn’t advertise the class to the public because Volegov requested a limit of 14. The three-day event was filled in no time by current students.
On day one, the artist guided them each in the painting of a live female model. The next day he shared a photograph with the class of his wife as she glanced out to sea while sitting on rocks. Ekaterina served as her husband’s translator, since he does not speak English.
With his laptop by his side, Volegov showed them how to paint the exact picture on a canvas. The day was spent with iPhones and tablets in hand, watching as Volegov, armed with his oil paints, paintbrushes and spatula-like painting knife, brought the photo life.
He showed them how to use grid marks on the computer screen to better paint details, such as the red dress’s intricate bodice, the rock’s varied colors, and small fingers.
“Make sure she has five fingers,” he joked via a translation by his wife.
The room was mostly quiet, with an occasional question about the paint colors, and comments such as “amazing!” and “beautiful!” Day three was their chance to paint their own versions of the photo.
The 61-year-old has painted since childhood, and attended a prestigious art school in what is now Ukraine. As a young artist, he created movie posters, vinyl and CD covers and had award-winning success working with advertising agencies. In the 1990s, he left the commercial world and traveled throughout Europe as a street artist painting travelers’ portraits.
Russian celebrities noticed and began to hire him. Inspired by works of impressionists, Volegov began to focus exclusively on painting, and eventually adopted the style of romantic realism. He has worked with art galleries and exhibitions in the U.S. and other countries.
On social media, including Facebook and Instagram, he has almost 1 million followers. His wife said he enjoys sharing his talents with others.
“The soul is flying when he is painting,” she said.
interested?
The Virginia Beach School of Art and Gallery is located at 1776 Laskin Road in Hilltop, vbsag.com. For more information on Volegov, visit volegov.com.
Coming Up:
The Circle by the Bay of The King’s Daughters will host will host “Mingle with the Art” from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 9 at Virginia Beach School of Art and Gallery to benefit Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. For more information, kingsdaughters.org.
Cindy Butler Focke, fockecindy@gmail.com
