Art is capable of many things. But one of the most sought out reasons for its existence is perhaps its ability to channel a feeling or emotion. We use it as a tool to recall a memory or as a form of expression.

These emotions can range from sorrow to bliss. What an incredible way to portray your thoughts. This week, we want to concentrate on the uplifting and fun side of art.

There are four different paintings we have chosen from Victor Bregeda that move us in such a positive way!

The first of these paintings is Coffee Dance. This plays on many people’s reliance on caffeine in this fast paced world we live in.

We see the coffee spilling from the cup and forming into two joyous characters. Each of them had their fix and are ready for anything the day has to throw at them. In fact, they feel so good they just can’t help but dance!

Candle Lovers is another artwork that has an enlightening feel to it. We see the flame burning brightly in the night, illuminating the wonder of the darkness. The butterflies circle the light while the wax drips down to form human figures at the base of the candle.

 It is no wonder that this is one of Victor’s all time best sellers!

Our next painting is Fiddle on the Roof. This particular artwork has a fun story behind it.

A friend of Victor’s left his instrument behind at Victor’s house one day and he found himself inspired by its presence. He began painting the story behind the fiddle.

He imagined its lifetime and the things that it had witnessed: the concerts, the admirers, the success.

He played out the lifetime of this music maker and told its story upon canvas. What a beautiful story it turned out to be.

Our final artwork is Divine Palette. The painting depicts the birth of humankind – all races and colors. Each are uniquely created but conform to the same image of their Creator.

 Victor attributes his artistic ability to God and chooses to reflect his wonder and appreciation through his art.

Divine Palette is a representation of God’s creative magic, the birth of human lives and the unveiling of human talents, left to follow in the footsteps of his divinity.

May you also find joy and humor in these magnificent paintings!

Life is full of indulgences, especially in the form of wine and culinary delicacies. People often use such things to commemorate a significant occasion or just to reward themselves after a long week.

Though people’s taste and preferences differ greatly, the satisfaction that comes along with these treats remains consistent.

Victor uses food and spirits in many of his paintings. He celebrates them as an outlet or sense of comfort among mankind- a comfort that has evolved but remained substantial across the ages. We want to explore a few of these artworks with you today…

Wine Masters is our first painting. This one has wine and cheese at the forefront of the work. This particular representation has a timely feel to it. Notice the dust upon the bottles. Yet, the cheese brings forth a more modern aspect further suggesting its evolution throughout time.

In Cup Bearer (one of Victor’s favorite pieces), we see a more ancient version of wine and the merchants that relied upon it for their livelihood. The amphora, in the middle of the painting, captures the tasting of the wine.

Note the historic Tanais site in South Russia – the place near which Victor Bregeda was born and has lived most of his life.

Our next artwork is Taste of Inspiration. It plays upon the comforts that allow the mind to open and stimulate creativity. It has an almost whimsical feel to it. Yet again, we see the wine and cheese with a new addition present in the outline of a fish.

These elements play out to be our artist’s muse. These are his resources for influential meditation.

Finally, we come to one of the most popular modern day comforts, the cheeseburger. But wait, this is not just any cheeseburger. No. This is the Big Mac. Victor plays upon its soaring popularity and people’s elated reaction to it. And of course, what would this burger be without its token side of French fries?

What an incredible notion- to capture the use of food and wine over the course of time. These essential ingredients make way for some tempting art! Don’t you think?

There is nothing better than spending time with friends and enjoying great conversation. As a lover of art, what better topic than the beautiful paintings you possess?

Many people are unfamiliar with Victor Bregeda’s work and the intricate details that it holds. The individual interpretations are limitless and can lead to a wonderful discussion.

With that said, we want to introduce you to some of his most talked about artwork in a new series of blog posts. Each post will familiarize you with a group of paintings that are connected through a central theme. Our first group of paintings comes from both the Romance and Contemplations Collections. Each encompasses the core values of a family and of what makes up a home.

While each house is made up of different groups of people and personalities, they are built from the same foundation of:

• love
• communication
• responsibility
• belonging

In each of these paintings, we are made aware of each of these concepts through different channels of interpretation.

In the first two, we see a softer side to these emotions. Generations plays on the distinct family dynamic across the ages. Notice the different family members lost within the roses. This beautiful work tells the story of multiple generations of love and what has blossomed from it.

 Eye of the Beholder shares this same ideal with an elderly man conversing with his wife and seeing her younger self through his glasses. Though time has passed, his view and love for her remains the same.

The other two artworks play more on the responsibility aspects that make up a family.

In Homecoming, we see a sailor making his way home as his pets anxiously await his arrival. After his long travels, this is where he finds comfort and belonging. This is his home.

Good Catch demonstrates what keeps the family going. We see a man and son standing outside of their home, admiring their many blessings. The fish is representative of the proverb:

“Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.”

Pretty creative, huh?

While each of these paintings has different ways of presenting it, all of them embrace one main theme, family.

Victor is a firm believer in everything connecting and has many more examples present amongst his artwork. Victor stated in a recent interview,

“That is what I am doing in my paintings. I recreate my childhood images that are present everywhere.”

Victor insists that each person draw their own perspective based on life experiences and allow his paintings to solicit a childhood memory of your own.

October 15, 2013 was a special day in Victor’s personal life. He married his wonderful bride, Olga, in a private ceremony in Taganrog, Russia. The newlyweds are doing great! The following are the pictures from the wedding.

The Hawaiian show in July 2013 was a definite highlight this year. Victor loves Maui, and the folks at Sargent’s Fine Art have been long-term partners and friends. Here are some memorable pictures.

February 2013 was a busy month. Victor worked on several new paintings in his Russian studio. More details about the new artworks are coming soon.

Just finished the “Narrow Gate” based on Matthew 7:13 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” This painting draws a parallel with  “Leonardo’s Dream,” but it is bigger in size and is even more powerful.

We got this interpretation of  “On Top of the World” from one of Victor’s fans.

In the painting, the earth is barren and dry, presumably destroyed by man as all the trees have been cut down. The scaly earth and tree stumps almost resemble human skin and hair follicles which suggests that the scene is an emotional state. But this vision is an illusion. As it is being peeled away, it is contrasted by the fertile living green earth behind.

In the story, there is a troubled man who is lost and disconnected from the world. He is searching for meaning and a purpose to his life, represented by his “delirious digging”. He becomes so obsessed that he loses sight of the world and digs his own lair in total isolation.

He slowly climbs his way back out of the abyss only to find that he is “on top of the world”. When he stops to reflect on his journey, he realizes that his perspective has changed, represented by the mountain that has amassed above him, to allow him to see the beauty of the world all around.

Overall, I think the common theme is that our individual perceptions of reality can act as barriers to seeing the truth. The man on top of the world can see life behind the veil of death and destruction. The man on top of the mountain feels a connection with everything after feeling totally isolated. They both suggest transcendence of man, enlightenment, and a connection with God.

Visiting Art Basel Miami 2012 – the most expensive art show in the world and the most bizarre…

Our exhibit at Miami Red Dot in December 2012