ARTIST: ISAAC MAIMON TITLE: "MARIE" MEDIUM: Serigraph EDITION: 275, 50 AP+ deluxe CXXV SIZE: 21" x 28.5" YEAR: 1994 Limited Edition Hand Signed & Numbered. Artist Background/History: Maimon's paintings capture the "boulevard culture," that uniquely French atmosphere that so intrigued Lautrec, Bonnard and other artists before him. Though strongly influenced by the Paris school of art, with his intrepid use of color and line he creates works that are absorbing, rich and uniquely Maimon. Born in Israel in 1951, to French speaking parents, he exhibited an early artistic ability that was enthusiastically supported by his family. After serving his time in the military, Maimon attended the Avni Institute of Fine Art in Tel Aviv, the most prestigious academy for the arts in Israel. This is where his initial interest in the Paris school was cultivated. In 1980, Maimon began teaching at the School of Visual Arts in Beer-Sheba and later that year the Kaye Art Academy. In the late 80's he was a professor at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer-Sheba. During this time Maimon began an association that enabled him to build and manage coffeehouses. He became a restaurateur and pub owner. Always the artist, he was often found sitting at a back table sketching the care patrons. He thought that he could discern what people were saying or feeling from their expressions and postures. He would sketch from life in the care and go back to the studio to put color to the ideas on canvas. His earlier interest in the Paris School was again cultivated and nurtured. "I have always been attracted to the atmosphere of coffee houses. I try to recreate this in my paintings." In 1989 an Israeli art-publishing group, Talking Walls, noticed Maimon's paintings. After conducting numerous shows in Israel, Talking Walls brought Maimon's work to the International Art. Exposition in New York. There, an American publishing company, B & R International Art began what was to be an enduring alliance with Maimon, as the exclusive publisher and distributor of his works. His art is displayed each year at the Art Expo in New York and has been exhibited, as well, at expositions in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Japan. He tours the United States annually with a series of one-man shows every fall. "I have been painting since as far back as I can remember. I received much encouragement from my family and friends. In my youth, I was given important direction from Moshe Agmon and later at the Avni Institute. I was greatly influenced by Haim Kiva and Moshe Rosenthalis. Other artists whose paintings have affected me are Matisse and of course Lautrec."

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