№Lih 12

The oil painting "Smoke and Enjoy" captures a rich narrative moment, depicting a scene that highlights the crossing of paths between individuals from distinctly different walks of life, as described by the artist’s recollection of a cherished film. The work illustrates an older man seated comfortably, a look of contentment on his face as he enjoys a smoke. He is being attended to by two figures, a man and a woman, both of whom seem engrossed in their tasks. The man, positioned behind the seated figure, is drawing on a cigar, his focus sharp, suggesting a shared moment of indulgence. The woman, standing to the side and slightly behind the seated man, gently touches his ear, her expression calm and caring, adding to the intimate atmosphere of the scene. The backdrop of the painting is a room rich in warm, deep reds and luxurious textures, suggesting an environment of opulence. An ornate painting hangs on the wall, and heavy drapery frames the scene, heightening the sense of a private, exclusive moment. The contrasting attire of the characters – the man's casual white shirt against the formal, darker clothes of the attendants – underscores the social dichotomy central to the film's storyline. The artist's personal journey with the film adds depth to the painting. Initially resistant to a friend's persistent recommendation, the artist's eventual surrender to the film's allure led to a deep appreciation, marked by repeated viewings. This work of art is not only a representation of a memorable cinematic moment but also a reflection of the film's emotional spectrum, from humorous to deeply touching scenes that the artist describes with vivid affection. "Smoke and Enjoy" is more than a visual representation; it's an embodiment of the artist's favorite film and the profound impact it has had on them. It serves as a declaration of personal taste and an illustration of the artist's belief in the power of cinema to connect with audiences on multiple levels.

*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING ***
* TITLE: "Smoke and enjoy" - Scene from the film: The Upside
* ARTISTS: Yulia Lihina
* SIZE: 68x100 cm/'26.77x39.37 inches'
* MEDIUM: oil, canvas
* HAND PAINTED: Original painting from our collection
* CONDITION: we tried to convey the maximum information with the help of photos about this product
* We have a video of the process of this work - we will send it if necessary.

About the artist: Yulia Lihina, born on November 10, 1984 in Kharkov, Ukraine, was a very restless and stubborn child. At three years old, her mother showed her how to draw to calm her down. Julia attended art studio and art school from 1989 to 2002. This experience helped her understand how to live further, since she could not imagine her life without colors and art.

She graduated with honors from the Kharkov Art School (2002-2007), painting department, becoming an artist and teacher. During her studies, Julia painted many paintings to order, including stills from films, which was an interesting experience for her.

After graduating from school, she got married and soon became the mother of two children. After the divorce, she tried to return to painting, but her children did not allow her to do so. While working for a network company while on maternity leave, she saw how artists painted and sold their paintings, which inspired her to take up painting again. She quit her online business and started over with support from family and friends.

In 2019, Yulia began studying how artists work on the Internet. In 2020, she took a course on blogging and selling paintings abroad, starting to paint during the quarantine period. She considers the Internet the best direction for developing and promoting her creativity around the world.

On February 24, 2022, war began in her country. Initially, Yulia thought that everything would end quickly, but then she had to leave home, experiencing pain and depression. She quickly coped with it, started volunteering and received a grant to purchase art materials. This gave her the motivation to move forward and do something she had wanted to do since she was three years old.

Julia draws inspiration from films, loving the genres of biography, thriller, crime, detective, comedy, history, sports, drama and romance. She loves to convey the complex emotional states of actors on camera and finds cinema a special source of inspiration.

Her favorite artists are Levitan, Polenov, Serov, Repin and many others in this style. She specializes in drawing, painting and landscapes, working primarily in oil, charcoal and pastel. Julia primes the canvases herself, using the techniques of the old masters and imprimatura.

Framing option availabe at extra cost. Feel free to inquire.

Reserve: $8,000.00

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Location: This item ships from Ukraine.

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