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| Born into a family in which
an older brother and an uncle were artists, Tch – raised in
Russia - began painting when he was just 9 years old.
He studied fine art as an undergraduate at Kharkov State University, in the Ukraine, and studied painting decorative art and interior design at the Kharkov Artistic-Industrial Institute. He received a master’s of fine arts from the Ukrainian Academy of Arts, which has a number of his works in its collection. |
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During the early years of his career, Tch painted with oil on canvas in a realistic manner. In addition he painted monumental murals and taught art. Many of his realistic paintings are in public collections in Germany and France and in private collections in countries around the
world. After moving to Canada in 1995 with his wife, the painter Natalia
Tch, and his daughter, Olga, Tch changed direction and began using the ancient encaustic
method. Encaustic painting was
practiced by Greek artists as far back as the 5th
century B. C. It has always been a complicated process,
one that depends on precise time management in the
application of dry pigment, hot beeswax and paint to a
paper, canvas or cardboard surface. |
"The Early
Morning"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
8" x 10" |
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"I love to paint red on
red or yellow on yellow. Each of my paintings includes
numerous tones of one color to convey exactly what my
eyes see and my heart feels. The process of painting
engulfs me fully, and the melody of my paintings just
lifts me up and sweeps me away."
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"Song of the
Day"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
7" x 11"
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Tch uses the sculptural potential of melting wax and pigments to create luminous, three-dimensional worlds. In those worlds, neo-primitivism and abstract symbolism combine to express Tch’s yearning for the ideal. The places he depicts seem at once both mythical and sacramental.
He said,
“During the 15 years that I worked in Russia, I always
explored various styles, and then I came to Canada and
started working in encaustic media. It is my passion to
work with complicated combinations of color.”
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| While all
artists can identify a range of influences on their
work, in the case of Slava Tch, the collaboration with
his wife, Natalia, is especially noteworthy. Because
they see the world in much the same way, from their
aesthetic sensibility to the desire to use art to
suggest the ideal, the two often work closely. Sometimes Slava’s work takes its direction from one of
Natalia’s designs; sometimes it is affected by her
technical or color suggestions. In his exploration of color,
Tch produces works that remind one of the nuance, power
and sensitivity one finds in the masterpieces of Vincent
van Gogh and the appreciation of the sensuality of color
one finds in the best of Henri Matisse. |
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“There is always the
possibility that I will change my style; however, my
main focus will always remain the harmony of tone and
color in the painting.”
"Long Ago on
a Summer Day"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
8" x 10" |
"Catch the
Wind"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
15" x 18" |
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Click here to view more pieces by Slava Tch |
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"The
Freshness of the Early World"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
24" x 36" |
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"Languished
Air"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
10" x 10" |
"The Middle
of the Night"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
9" x 9" |
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Click on an
image
to see a larger view. |
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"Sailors
Delight"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
20" x 20" |
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"Old Poetic
Mountains"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
9" x 9" |
"Light of the
Star"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
5" x 7"
"Summer
Sailing"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
5" x 7"
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"Harmony of Life"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
9" x 9" |
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"Valley of
the Moon"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
8" x 10" |
"One Fine
Evening"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
8" x 10" |
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During his
career he has received
a number of awards: |
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1980
First degree award in All Soviet Union "Interior and Equipment" at the
CHA, at Krimsky Val. Moscow, Russia. . |
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1980
First degree award in International Poster Competition for Olympic Games at CHA on Krimsky Val. |
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1981
All Soviet Union Exhibition, received a medal for panoramic display, consisting of paintings, graphics, sculptures and related materials commemorating the Great World War II for the Kursk museum, Russia. |
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1997
Award for Youth Uniting People-Murals Project form the London Multicultural Youth Association founded by Human Resources Development Canada. |
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1999
Received Best in Encaustics Award from R & F Encaustics (New Jersey), at BCE Place, Toronto, ON. |
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"Azure Deep
Air"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
5" x 7"
"Hot July"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
14" x 16"
"The White
Moon Shines on High"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
5" x 7" |
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"Light in
Town"
Encaustic on Canvas Painting
12" x 12" |
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"The Days
Rise Fresh"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
5" x 5" |
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"Golden
Gleam"
Encaustic on Wood Painting
5" x 7" |
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