The Paintings In This Roussimoff Gallery Are Currently Available For Purchase.  Please Do Not Hesitate To Email Us With Questions Or For Price Quotes at forviv@aol.com .

THE ARTIST'S STATEMENT

In art, there is no such thing as time in the conventional sense. The true art lover knows well that what is beautiful is eternal and can not be constrained by the superficial whims of cultural tastemakers and promoters. After all, is not God the greatest art critic? The culture and the soul (dusha) of Old Russia is beautiful and eternal in the purest sense of those words. Although loyal to its roots, this culture is nonetheless, genuinely universal in a broader meaning and in its emotional impact on human beings the world over. These lyrical Slavic themes which range from "folk oriented" to highly esoteric have chosen me to paint them and I am overjoyed to be the recipient of such hot passions. Being somewhat of a mystic, I am convinced of the accuracy of that statement. So much lies hidden within our subconscious and can never be detected by intellectual x-rays. That is much the way I work. Also, please understand my unusual spiritual process of painting. While I am doing either the portrait of a Russian Nobleman all decked out in imperial medals and decorations or a portrait of a wise and learned elderly Hassidic Rabbi, during the entire painting process I am transformed into these people and they into me. Especially during painting sessions, the music gets turned on. Those marvelous Balalaika strings make my heart beat faster with energy. Those great old melodies;, "Otchi Tchornye", "Kalinka", "Bublitschki" and the "Volga Boat Song" are more then inspiring. I become animated and the heart takes over as I dip the brush into my colours. When you see my pictures featuring those small towns with their quaint wooden homes, onion-domed church domes and ancient windmills,  try to think of that music I was listening to. The spirits of Tolstoy and Gogol look out for me. Unlike most contemporary people, I defy conventional definitions of place, time and belonging. I was raised in  a home rich in Eastern European traditions. My homeland, truly is my heart and soul. It accompanies me wherever I go and will follow me beyond this earth. My paintings all reflect exactly who I am and what I am all about. Nothing says it better then they. My Old Russia is also a vision of the universal human experience and speaks to people of all nations, religions and backgrounds. That is what is meant by Eternal Mother Russia.