This latest artwork marks my return to the mythological and folktale aspects of my artistic expression—the very origins of my creativity. Inspired by the recurring theme of Circe, extensively explored by researchers, writers, and musicians, I aimed to capture her essence much like the beloved 19th-century Pre-Raphaelite artists did.
In the Odyssey, Circe's most famous appearance, she beguiled Odysseus' crew, transforming them into swines, yet later, through a complex narrative, they were restored to their human forms. Circe's enigmatic portrayal, possibly one of the earliest depictions of a sorceress, is highlighted by the magic wand in her hand. I delved into the speculated connection between Circe and the ancient vulture (or hawk) goddess in Asia Minor, symbolized by the sacrificial dagger adorned with a hawk head in my painting.
Oil on aluminum panel
16” x 12”
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A weary traveler kneels before an unmarked tombstone in a sunlit mountain meadow, his horse standing patiently among the aspens, still as a shadow. Though the moment is reflective, the day itself is bright and open—sun high, light generous, the meadow alive with color. The painting blends the modern Western theme with the quiet storytelling of old ballads. The stone carries no name and no fixed meaning; it simply invites the viewer to bring their own thoughts. In clear daylight, a man rests, remembers, and keeps going.
Oil on panel
22” x 24”
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Oil on linen
30" x 24"
"A young woman stands in quiet thought before a weathered stone wall adorned with a magnificent lion's head relief. Her delicate hand lightly brushes the majestic sculpture, as if seeking solace from its stoic presence. In her other hand, she holds a bundle of pussy willows, symbols of delicate beauty, blessings, Spring, and resilience. Her gaze is cast downward, reflecting the depths of her emotions. Is it lost love that weighs heavily on her heart, or is it a bittersweet memory of an enduring affection? We can only contemplate the complex tapestry of the human heart."
—Nikita Budkov
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Oil on linen canvas
40” x 40”
A young woman would keep coming to the Garden of Abandon, as she calls it, to indulge in day dreaming and tasting sweet fruits. The Garden supposedly has many secret meadows and many streams, but its treasures are not visible to everyone. Only individuals with love in their pure hearts and those who long for the days of yore are welcome here, and yet even they may not come back to reality, for the Garden of Abandon is a beautiful, magical place of kindness and dreams.
"I know well
What her sleep should tell to-night.
There the dreams are multitudes:
Some that will not wait for sleep,
Deep within the August woods;
Some that hum while rest may steep
Weary labour laid a-heap..."
-Dante Gabriel Rossetti
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Oil on linen canvas
40” x 30”
A portrait painting about a nostalgia for older music that many might associate with their young prime days. Here I imagined my dad longing for such days while listening to his favorite bands from 20 or more years ago on a boombox. I've known these bands all my life too, so this painting is a bit personal to me.
The view from the window shows a typical Soviet-era industrial urban scape, which could resemble the time on the turn of an age around the fall of Berlin Wall. Surrounding the figure are mose cassette tapes and some vinyl.
A smartphone in the front takes us back to our present, like a little time machine in a sense.
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Oil on linen canvas
36” x 24”
This is a portrait after one of my favorite short stories by H. P. Lovecraft.
The story is about a golden-haired youth who wanders through the fantasy realm of dreams, telling tales of the great city of Aira, where he was a prince. While Iranon enjoys singing and telling his tales of wonder, few people appreciate it, and yet he never grows old.
Towards the end of the story, Iranon comes across an old shepherd and asks him if he knows of Aira. The shepherd tells him that he has indeed heard of it, for in his youth there was a beggar's boy who had always talked about it. The boy, who presumed himself to be a prince, was laughed at by everyone and ran away.
With the truth revealed, that Aira was merely a figment of his imagination, Iranon loses his eternal youth. Now aged significantly, Iranon wanders into the desert to his death.
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Oil on panel
11” x 14”
”Definitely one of the most memorable experiences of doing a plein air - or at least trying to - during a freezing snowstorm in the beloved Winona, Minnesota. My model is a fearless and beautiful friend who braved the weather and posed for me for a bit more than 10 minutes. There was no reason trying to paint any longer because without any medium my oil paints were turning into charcoal and I had to scribble color on the panel. It made it utterly impossible to paint, plus the falling snow was on all things including brushes and palette. Finished the painting in my studio adding crows because I felt it was a good idea to further extend the narrative and atmosphere of a snow white cold winter day. In the faint background - a great Mississippi River and the coast of Wisconsin state.”
- Nikita Budkov
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Oil on panel
9” x 12”
Upon the sunset, a young lady visited Malibu shore wearing her new dress. She was reading Dostoevsky and, as the daylight declined, so did the fate of Raskolnikov.
But her own life was just starting and she had high hopes for the dawn - and for so many days ahead!
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Oil on canvas panel
20” x 15.7”
A dreamy vision of artist’s sensual love.
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Oil on panel
40” x 30”
Description
Created during many enchanted hours of listening to atmospheric and ambient music, this work embodies my love for traditional folklore and European culture. Within the painting, a young lady awaits with blue and white field flowers while a tiny golden key hangs from her clutched hand, admission to some secret hidden passage. As she hears footsteps, she turns; her illuminated hair catches the last rays of the falling sun.
Playing with the strong directional light on her hair and figure I take great pleasure in investigating the eastern Slavic ornamentation on her traditional Russian dress. She personifies the classic female protagonist, a curious and stoic young lady, her beauty grabs the attention of every viewer instantly. The painting is laden with symbols for those with an equally inquisitive nature.
As with all of my paintings, this one is titled after a song. Origins of this title relate to an ancient Norwegian fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon. I surround my paintings with corporeal atmosphere, believing that their mystical mood is one of the most important components in my art, as it subconsciously evokes the viewer to live within it.
Exhibited
California Art Club's 108th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Pasadena, California, March 3 - 29, 2019
Awards
Best Artist Under 30 in the 2019 PleinAir Salon February/March competition for the painting “East of the Sun”
Art Renewal Center Staff Awards
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