Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art: Color of Life,

Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon’s ‘color of LIFE’ exhibition began with an absolutely amazing opening reception at Mirada Fine Art.  Below are some photos from this wonderful evening as Larisa unveiled her newest body of work.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon at the opening reception of her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon at the opening reception of her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon at the opening reception of her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon unveils her newest paintings at her 'color of LIFE' exhibition at Mirada Fine Art.

Larisa Aukon painting at Mirada Fine Art

Larisa Aukon gave a painting demonstration at Mirada Fine Art last Saturday. All the attendees were treated to a display of her remarkable talent. We had an absolutely fantastic opening weekend with her new exhibition at Mirada: 'color of LIFE.' Come on by to check out her vibrant paintings.  Here are some photos from her demonstration.

Larisa Aukon painting at Mirada Fine Art, August 16, 2014.

Larisa Aukon painting at Mirada Fine Art, August 16, 2014.

Larisa Aukon discussing her painting technique at Mirada Fine Art, August 16, 2014.

Larisa Aukon painting at Mirada Fine Art, August 16, 2014.

Larisa Aukon painting at Mirada Fine Art, August 16, 2014.

Larisa Aukon at Mirada Fine Art.

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

Mirada Fine Art's 'Fine Wine & Art Gala 2014'

We had an amazing night last Saturday at Mirada Fine Art's 1st Annual 'Fine Wine & Art Summer Gala.'  Greg Thomas, owner of Evergreen Liquors and a true wine expert, poured tastings of truly amazing wines!  Jennifer Yoswa, Mirada's newest artist, was busy at work all night long.  And musid was provided by award-winning songwriter, Andy Hackbarth.  Based on the response, we're pretty sure there will be a 'second annual.'

Mirada Fine Art, 7.19.2014, Mirada's 'Fine Wine & Art Summer Gala'

Mirada Fine Art, 7.19.2014, Mirada's 'Fine Wine & Art Summer Gala'

Wine expert Greg Thomas was busy pouring amazing wines through the evening at Mirada Fine Art. 

Enjoying Mirada Fine Art's Fine Wine & Art Gala

Jennifer Yoswa, Mirada's newest addition, was busy painting throughout the Fine Wine & Art Gala

Wine expert Greg Thomas was busy pouring amazing wines through the evening at Mirada Fine Art.

Jennifer Yoswa paintings being admired during Mirada Fine Art's 'Fine Wine & Art Gala.'

Wine expert Greg Thomas was busy pouring amazing wines through the evening at Mirada Fine Art.

Mirada Fine Art's 2014 'Fine Wine & Art Summer Gala'

Jennifer Yoswa painting during Mirada's 'Fine Wine & Art Summer Gala'

Enjoying Mirada Fine Art's 'Fine Wine & Art Summer Gala'

Mirada Fine Art's 'Fine Wine & Art Summer Gala'

A painting by Larisa Aukon in the foreground during Mirada's 'Fine Wine & Art Gala'

Talking to artist Jennifer Yoswa during Mirada's 'Fine Wine & Art Summer Gala'

Enjoying Mirada Fine Art's 'Fine Wine & Art Gala'

Jennifer Yoswa's 'The Girl with the Chartreuse Eyes' being admired by a patron of Mirada Fine Art.

Jennifer Yoswa Paintings at Mirada Fine Art

Jennifer Yoswa is Mirada Fine Art's newest artist, and we are very excited to be able to hang her unique work on our gallery walls.

Jennifer Yoswa at Mirada Fine Art, 'Evie, Ivy, Over,' Original Oil on Canvas, 18" x 24"

The rich glowing canvasses of Jennifer Yoswa are fun-filled and whimsical.  Upon studying them, however, the viewer discovers the original oil paintings go well beyond the quirky and fanciful.

Jennifer Yoswa painting at Mirada Fine Art

Jennifer creates colorful portraits brimming with character.  A profound understanding of, and empathy with, the human condition combined with tremendous artistic talent, allows Ms. Yoswa to create pieces of unparalleled flair and tremendous insight.  Although often painted with a flattened perspective, the paintings have a unique quality of depth and feeling.  She has said that she paints not only to have a light and color filled world to escape to, but to enable others to escape to that world, too. 

Jennifer Yoswa paintings being admired at Mirada Fine Art

Inspired by poetry, music, people and both inanimate and animate objects, Ms. Yoswa’s background in elementary education, special education and psychology enables her to imbue unique sentiment and feeling through her art.  The eyes of the characters in her portraits are particularly expressive, and truly the windows to her character’s souls.  Often simultaneously soulful and mischievous, Jennifer portrays a full range of emotion through her artwork.  “I find pure pleasure in the act of painting…the movement of paint on canvas, the ‘mistakes’ that can change a piece for the better, the constant problem solving, the unknown end,” Jennifer Yoswa has said.

Jennifer Yoswa at Mirada Fine Art, 'The Exhibit,' Original Oil on Canvas,  24" x 18"

Ms. Yoswa currently resides in Colorado with her husband and two children.  Her profound hope is that not only can her paintings help her discover who she is, but also help the viewer discover who they are.

Jennifer Yoswa at Mirada Fine Art, 'The Girl with the Chartreuse Eyes,' Original Oil on Canvas,  20" x 24"

Russell Whiting Sculptures at Mirada Fine Art

Russell Whiting, the remarkable steel sculptor from Louisiana has joined Mirada Fine Art, and we are absolutely thrilled to have him on board!

Russell Whiting at Mirada Fine Art, Walking Angel (side view), Torch-Carved Steel,  74" x 50" x 30"

Russell Whiting, a resident of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, is the epitome of a successful self-taught artist, creating classical forms with a contemporary flair.  As a child he frequently found himself compelled to draw or paint the imagery he saw so vividly in his mind. In his early 20s, he began carving wood to create his figures. Then, while working as a welder in shipyards and oil fields during the 1980s, Russell was struck with the realization that steel could be ‘carved’ much like wood, producing even more astonishing and striking sculptural pieces.  Within a few years, Whiting had developed his own unique metalworking technique.

Russell Whiting at Mirada Fine Art, Walking Angel (front view), Torch-Carved Steel,  74" x 50" x 30"

Russell Whiting’s work is influenced by wide and varied factors—religion, ancient cultures, cinema, other artists—both realistic and surreal.  His figures flow from dream, fantasy and conscious manipulation.  A distinctive technique using an oxy-acetylene torch to carve steel into eloquent figures results in instantly recognizable and elegant pieces.  Classical figures executed in a contemporary style lend a unique grace and fluidity to Whiting’s sculpture.

Russell Whiting at Mirada Fine Art, Angel on Wheel, Torch-Carved Steel, 77" x 29" x 17"

Russell Whiting at Mirada Fine Art, Angel on Wheel (close up), Torch-Carved Steel, 77" x 29" x 17"

Russell Whiting at Mirada Fine Art, Angel on Wheel (from behind), Torch-Carved Steel, 77" x 29" x 17"

“My images are often combined and reborn, with little regard to logic or cultural origins,” Whiting has stated.  The artist is reknowned for his ‘walking figures’­—life-size steel sculptures of steel men, women or winged angels which can be seen throughout the world in both private and public sculpture gardens.  Equally amazing are his scaled-down versions which incorporate the same steel carving, hammering and welding techniques.  Viewers respond on a deep level to this artist’s unique modern interpretation of classical forms.

Russell Whiting at Mirada Fine Art, Walking Winged Angel, 19" x 11" x 6"

Russell Whiting at Mirada Fine Art, Vertical Angel - Large, Torch-Carved Steel, 115" x 17" x 17"

Russell Whiting at Mirada Fine Art, Vertical Angel - Large (close up), Torch-Carved Steel, 115" x 17" x 17"