the Inspiration for my Artwork

The inspiration for my artwork comes from within and from nature, too!

I adore phenomena in nature such as trees, clouds and mountains.
Oops, I didn't mention my love for certain varieties of flowers and sunsets, etc.

For example:
Even though I am inspired by trees in nature, I don't seek to create realistic renditions of them. I let my imagination come into play instead.
It bores me to create very realistic paintings. Painting realistically, for me, is more science than art. Why should I aim to do what a camera can do?

I would much rather tap into my imagination, which is very active, and imbue my subject matter with my particular vision.

Trees and Clouds

Nina Kuriloff's drawing of a tree.


There is so much beauty in trees and clouds.
Both, cloud formations and trees can be exquisitely beautiful.


Unlike many trees, that exude a feeling of strength and timelessness, clouds are transient.


Currently, I have a passion for trees, that I have fed by viewing fabulous photographs of trees on Flickr.com.
One of my favorite groups on Flickr is the Lonely Tree group.

Two weeks ago I started my own group on Flickr called *Trees that Captivate us*.
In both of these Flickr groups as well as others, I add my drawings and paintings of trees that are part of my ongoing series of Fantasy Trees.

If you would like to view a sample of my tree art on Flickr, you may do so here.

Nina Kuriloff

Irving Penn: Portraits of Artists and Writers

Yesterday I had the good fortune to see a superior exhibition of 67 portraits by photographer, Irving Penn.
This exhibition is on view at The Morgan Library & Museum until April 13, 2008..
The Morgan is located at 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street in Manhattan.

Penn is certainly a very gifted photographer. Almost every image in the exhibit is a compelling one.
The portrait above is of Pablo Picasso in 1957, by Irving Penn.

More information about this exhibition is located here.

Among my favorite images in the exhibit are the portraits of Georgia O'Keeffe, Jasper Johns, Salvador Dali and Louise Bourgeois.

Artlex.com is an excellent Dictionary of Art Terms

Artlex.com is a resource I have been using for several years.
I recommend that you give this resource a try by clicking here.
Most definitions are followed by illustrated examples of the term as well as external links to additional resources.
I highly recommend this online Art Dictionary for educating oneself further about any topic that is included in the arts.
Here is a definition for FASHION from artlex.com:

The prevailing style or custom. Most often refers to clothing (costume), but may refer to any cultural trend. Manner or mode. Also, to give shape or form to; to make. Fashion design refers specifically to designing clothing, and its associated accessories.

*And, of course, the above is only the introduction to information about fashion.
*Also, in the definition for FASHION each of the words that are in bold print are linked to their individual definitions!