Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art: "color of LIFE"

Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art: "color of LIFE"

Larisa Aukon:  color of LIFE
Mirada Fine Art Gallery
Exhibition:  August 15 - September 7, 2014
Opening/Artist Reception:  August 15, 6-9pm
Painting Demonstration:  August 16, 11am -2pm

Bold. Balanced. Beautiful.  Renowned artist vividly breathes life onto canvasses.

A childhood spent in drab Latvian winters compels artist to enthusiastically embrace the brilliant colors of Colorado and the Southwest.

by Jan Thompson

Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art, 'Continental Divide,' Original Oil on Panel, 24" x 36"

Larisa Aukon has become the darling of the fine art world, gathering widespread attention.  The frequent subject of articles in art and design publications, the enthusiastic painter delights viewers.  Her work thrums with vivid color and texture, and as Southwest Art Magazine states, “infuses paintings with vibrant rhythm and aliveness—qualities that no doubt contribute to collector interest throughout the U.S. and world.”  On Friday, August 15, Colorado art lovers will be treated to Aukon’s brilliant new collection of work, “Color of Life,” presented by Mirada Fine Art Gallery.  As a delightful bonus, the artist will give a painting demonstration at the gallery the following day from 11am to 2pm.

Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art, 'Winter Lights,' Original Oil on Panel, 18" x 24"

While certainly deserved, Aukon’s acclaim has not come without a tremendous amount of dedicated work.  A child prodigy, Larisa attended the prestigious and highly competitive Janis Rosenthal Art School in Riga, Latvia, and continued on to receive her Master’s degree from the Latvian Academy of Fine Arts.  An inner compulsion and instinctive connection to the land drew her to the United States.  Fifteen years ago, she landed in Arizona where a cousin’s family was living.  After the relatively monochromatic landscape of her native Baltic region, the American Southwest seemed to Larisa “an explosion of color.”  Awestruck, the warm, rich hues and endless panoramas of her adopted home eventually led to the distinctive, light-infused work she now creates.

Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art, 'Castle,' Original Oil on Panel, 36" x 48"

The profusion of color led Aukon down a path leading to her current gorgeous style depicting natural and urban landscapes. Not technically a plein air artist, she does extensive pencil and color sketches before ever beginning a painting in her studio.  Then she paints…combining impressions, imagination, feelings and memories. Whether depicting wide open landscapes, narrow streets or snowy nighttime scenes, her powerful strokes of layered color imbued with light and supported by strong composition, will transport you and remind you why we choose to live in Colorado.

Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art

Featured in American Art Collector, Southwest Art and Cowboys and Indians magazines, celebrated artist Larisa Aukon unveils her latest work at an artist reception on August 15 from 6-9pm at Mirada Fine Art Gallery located in Indian Hills on Parmalee Gulch Road off Hwy 285, just 5 miles west of C-470.  The exhibit will be open August 16 – September 7; a painting demonstration by the artist will be offered Saturday, August 16 from 11am-2pm at the gallery.

Larisa Aukon's painting 'The Forgotten End' at Mirada Fine Art