Artist Kim Shikhov painted the landscape ‘Church of Barnabas of Vetluga’ in 2004. His individual, refined style instantly shows an exemplary training: a native of Arkhangelsk, Shikhov graduated from the Gorky School of Arts and from the USSR Academy of Arts. He became a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR as early as 1967, and for many years he was the head of the Union of Artists of Nizhny Novgorod. His exhibitions take place not only in Russia, but also abroad, i.e. in the USA, in Belgium, in Greece, in Germany, and in Italy.
From the very beginning of his painting studies, Shikhov searched adamantly for a unique style of painting, and gradually formed a new, somewhat generalized and laconic style. His individual style shows in all of his works, although his creative range is extremely wide: he works in his favorite genres of portrait and landscape equally convincingly, creates mosaics and frescoes, and illustrates books. The eternal optimist Shikhov always sincerely believes that life is beautiful, and this attitude also shows in his paintings: most often they are light, peaceful, inspiring.
His landscapes of recent years are especially subtle and lyrical. Such works include the painting ‘Church of Barnabas of Vetluga’: the landscape is scant on details, the painter works with the exact rhythm of contrasting planes of color, so that they look neat and deep. In this picture, Shikhov painted the church in honor of the Saint Barnabas of Vetluga, which is situated in the working village of Varnavino. The painter seemed to have portrayed it from the historical perspective, since in reality the church itself and the surrounding nature look somewhat different.
Built in 2000, the church in honor of the Saint Barnabas of Vetluga in Varnavino is today the only Orthodox church in the village. The choice of the revered saint was, of course, not accidental. According to the local legends, Barnabas of Vetluga, who lived in the 14th century, converted many pagans from the hostile north-western tribes of the Mari to the Orthodox faith, thereby helping to secure Povetluzhje — the territories on the riverbanks of the Vetluga River, where the village of Varnavino is located. He is also credited with the miracle of communicating with wild animals, including bears. Orthodox Christians believe that he is the patron saint of Povetluzhje.
From the very beginning of his painting studies, Shikhov searched adamantly for a unique style of painting, and gradually formed a new, somewhat generalized and laconic style. His individual style shows in all of his works, although his creative range is extremely wide: he works in his favorite genres of portrait and landscape equally convincingly, creates mosaics and frescoes, and illustrates books. The eternal optimist Shikhov always sincerely believes that life is beautiful, and this attitude also shows in his paintings: most often they are light, peaceful, inspiring.
His landscapes of recent years are especially subtle and lyrical. Such works include the painting ‘Church of Barnabas of Vetluga’: the landscape is scant on details, the painter works with the exact rhythm of contrasting planes of color, so that they look neat and deep. In this picture, Shikhov painted the church in honor of the Saint Barnabas of Vetluga, which is situated in the working village of Varnavino. The painter seemed to have portrayed it from the historical perspective, since in reality the church itself and the surrounding nature look somewhat different.
Built in 2000, the church in honor of the Saint Barnabas of Vetluga in Varnavino is today the only Orthodox church in the village. The choice of the revered saint was, of course, not accidental. According to the local legends, Barnabas of Vetluga, who lived in the 14th century, converted many pagans from the hostile north-western tribes of the Mari to the Orthodox faith, thereby helping to secure Povetluzhje — the territories on the riverbanks of the Vetluga River, where the village of Varnavino is located. He is also credited with the miracle of communicating with wild animals, including bears. Orthodox Christians believe that he is the patron saint of Povetluzhje.
