V. Varnas has participated in group exhibitions and plein-air paintings in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Georgia, Italy and France. For his creative achievements, the artist was awarded a diploma of the laureate of the 28th International Painting Plenary in Nida in 2022, a diploma and a prize established by the Mayor of the City of Tomašov-Liubelski (Poland).
Different nature, different artworks
A. Stauskas, an artist and director of the Dusetai Art Gallery and the Cultural Centre, is visiting Kintai for the third time. The artist comes from Zarasai district, so he has seen nature in a different way. "Nature is quite different here. Zarasai region is a land of lakes. Here, the colours are completely different, the landscape and the Curonian Lagoon are also different," said Stauskas.
A. Stauskas is a watercolour and oil painter, and creates artistic photographs. During 30 years of creative activity, the artist has participated in over 100 group exhibitions in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Italy, France and Germany. He has held more than 40 solo exhibitions of paintings and photographs in Lithuania and Latvia, and has participated in 42 painting plein air exhibitions in Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. He was the organiser and project manager of 12 painting plein air events. During his long career as an artist, the artist has been awarded with several honourable prizes.
Artworks filled with spring
Another Lithuanian artist, D. Skridailaitė, will be presenting her work in Saturday's exhibition. She is an active member of the Lithuanian Folk Artists' Union, participates in exhibitions and plein air events. The artist's works mainly depict flowers painted with mastechine (spatula), the colour scheme is dominated by pure, bright, light, intertwined with pastel colours.
New challenge
I. Folkmanis, exhibition design artist at the Rothko Art Centre, came to Kintai from Daugavpils. The Rothko Art Centre has hosted around 500 art exhibitions over the past 10 years, including works by a number of Lithuanian artists. When the artist was invited to take part in the Culture Scoop project and come to Kintai, he accepted the challenge, as he always tries to embrace new opportunities and step out of his comfort zone. "This is my first time in Kintai. It is an interesting experience. In this plein air I want to show my point of view, to give feedback on what I see and to present the images as I see them," said Folkmanis.
Felt like home
K. Serenko, an artist from Ukraine, has come to Lithuania for the first time to participate in a plein air workshop. Lithuanian nature reminds the artist of home. "I have very pleasant impressions when I come here, the nature is similar to Ukraine, so I feel at home," said the artist. She usually paints abstracts of various animals. Serenko's works reflect light and joy. Coming to Kintai and taking part in the plein air workshop was a challenge for the artist. "I have never painted in plein air. But I have an idea of how to convey the images I see here without betraying my style. It will be a kind of combination of my style with the landscape," she said.
Beauty is in the eye of the spectator
This is not the first time that O. Gritsenko, an artist from Ukraine, has come to Lithuania, and when she heard the offer to come to Kintai, she immediately agreed. O. Gricenko's works have been exhibited in more than 40 exhibitions. She is a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine and the chairperson of Kremenchug. She describes her work as a reflection. "We all see the world differently, in different colours. I present the world as I see it," said the artist.
Text written by Ramunė Dadūraitė
Published in "Šilutės naujienos", 2023 May 11th, No.19 (1959)
Project "Cultural Barn" is funded by EEA Grants.
