Russian fairy tales. Journey with the artist Konstantin Prusov

Author's ceramics. 2020

A dance

So they began to dance. Uh! I need a new easel. The accordion sets the pace: when some feel sad, others are dancing.

I paint quickly: I draw the blue contour of composition and define details with courageous strokes – patterned headscarf with vegetative ornament, blush on lovers faces, red and turquoise background that creates the mood. In the completion – a black line which intensifies contrasting and draws your attention to faces. They are so wise!

A dance. 2020. Canvas, oil. 90x80 cm

Marfa in a bathhouse

The snow is melting and Marfa is so happy to see the first snowdrops. How can we not admire their beauty when it is so dark and hot in the bathhouse?

However Marfa loves the heat which she is capable to strengthen with the birch broom so suitors run away. How nice to indulge the heated body with cool water. Better yet, to dive into a snow bank next to white snowdrops.

Marfa in a bathhouse. 2020. Canvas, oil. 80x70 cm

Let's get more steam after Shrovetide!

You sit at the upper shelf in the bathhouse sweating and squinting. So nice. And if you put on a hat so perhaps you will stay inside longer.

Men are taking a steam – the heat heals them with its birch aroma. They decided to whip – this is also a massage, so strident. Wild but so healthy!

Good heat is dry heat: the water instantly evaporates from the stones surface.

Have you ever been to a smoke steam house? I have been and it was a miracle: it seemed uncomfortable but so pleasant – my soul rejoiced and my body rested. My great-grandmother owned this kind of bathhouse. Partly dug into the ground it was located in far corner of the large land plot, away from the house. Its roof was covered with turf what gave the bathhouse fairy tale features.

Let's get more steam after Shrovetide! 2010. Canvas, oil. 63x60 cm

Snowballs with an angel

Very often angels visit creative people at their houses. They not only protect them but also share some earthly delights.

Some of these angels love to play with four-legged friends. Yes, Pablo and Dali are loved by their owners and God messengers.

The soul imprisoned in these lovely, funny and delicate bodies needs attention: to play, to save from dangerous tricks, to protect from ticks or to calm when they fight. The life with them seems like a fairy tale. And we are its witnesses!

Snowballs with an angel. 2019. Paper, tempera. 70x50 cm

Annunciation

Late at night time a bright light coming from the angels illuminated the room. It humbly snuggled at the window and was afraid to wake up a soundly sleeping girl.

She covered herself with a blanket that grandmother made from the bright tissue flaps and rested her head on white pillows.

Her room interior was very delicate and simple: there were a green dressing table with the mirror, perfume and hairbrush in one corner and a jar with pure water in another corner.

We don't know why the angel came but we know exactly that the girl had a baby eventually.

Annunciation. 2011. Canvas, oil. 80x90 cm

Palm Sunday

Early in the morning me and my Father are building the window of his souvenir shop. I am putting willow bunches into the foreground – they are main here today.

Bright happiness on shelves: big roaster, Russian beauties figures, boxes, icons, painted dishes, even bread and bagels – just in case.

Oh here are my helpers – several angels create a magic atmosphere.

Uh! I hope everything is sold out today!

Willow shop. 2011. Canvas, oil. 70x50 cm

Madonna with the crucifixion

One girl chose strange toys: two figures look as if they pray before a Man on the Cross. And why is she so interested in them? Where is happiness here?

I realized that she did not play but she thought about her future. Even the flower blossomed with yellow petals – maybe it gave her a hint?

And what red dress with floral pattern she is wearing. Nothing to fear in such apparel!

Madonna with the crucifixion. 2012. Canvas, oil. 92x80 cm

Easter

We are followed by angels everywhere. Perhaps they have their homes on Earth or maybe they create them in our imagination?

On Easter people sanctify viands in church. On this holiday everything seems nicer, so angels rejoice: they dance, sing and light candles. Miracle! Perhaps that's how their home look.

Have you ever visited them?

Easter. 2010. Canvas, oil. 70x50 cm

A bench

Warm May night. Light and warm wind is spreading the smell of lilac.

You just want to find yourself in this painting and touch fragrant petals: they seem so magical under the moonlight.

But there are our heroes here: the young couple is sitting on the bench near the mighty spruce. Their conversation is interrupted – the child is awake and his nanny is not capable to keep his calm. What comes next…

If Debussy lived here he would surely compose his Moonlight Sonata. His music was born at this manor.

A bench. 2011. Canvas, oil. 90x75 cm

Abramtsevo. From the artist's archive. 2009

It is Pentecost today!