I had wanted to do this painting before the original Embrace painting. This is actually how the painting was first conceived, so in a sense it is a "prequel" to The Embrace. The setting is from a painting by Asher B Durand, one of the foremost Hudson River Romantics, and a master at landscape.
Ancient mythology tells us that Kallistô, one of the daughters of Zeus, was changed into a golden bear by Hêra as she changed Iô into a heifer. My own interpretation here is that the wanderer in the forest is recreated in gold after encountering the butterflies near the creek. I actually blended some gold paint into the bear, so that he might glisten when viewed at a certain angle.
Alexei's paintings portray the world around him in truthful and unglorified terms. A sense of tranquility is conveyed in each of his paintings. They are typically without action or conviviality, and most are uncannily still, with only light, space, shadows and color offering dialog.
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Name: Morning Mist