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CREATING IN LAYERS
By Joyce Rudolph
Published: January 3,
Los Angeles Times (Burbank Leader)
Building on an idea, artist Vigen Sogomonyan boldly takes oil painting
to another level.
Vivid reds and yellows immediately catch viewers' eyes in Vigen
Sogomonyan's oil paintings. But the subjects' expressions - most
noticeably their pursed lips - are what really hold attention.
"Lips are attractive," the artist said. "We speak with our lips.
"In the paintings, we read the true lips."
Also evident in his work is the layering of the paint applied to each
piece. Sogomonyan began working in acrylics, but moved to oil when he
saw the layering properties of the media, he said.
"It takes me several months to a year to finish one painting," he
said. "I use many layers to build the atmosphere that I want to see."
The technique calls for him to be constantly working on several
paintings at a time while waiting for them to dry, he said.
His love of story telling plays an important part in his work, he
said, as well as his love for the theater and movies he has seen. Each
of his paintings has a story behind it, or a message, he said.
"The result comes from emotions inside me," he said.
Several examples of works that illustrate his emotions are now on
exhibit at Stephanie's Art Gallery in La Caņada Flintridge.
One piece, "Other Side of Trust," features two characters wearing
masks. They are painted in intense gold and red colors and set against
a brownish-gold background. It shows how people have many faces, he
said.
"Each person has a different mask they wear when they are talking to
children, adults or a spouse," he said.
"I'm one who appreciates art especially when it comes from my
culture," Art collector Karen Mikaelian of La Caņada Flintridge said.
"I've been taught that art is to stimulate or arouse you in some way,
and Vigen's work stands out because of the vibrant colors he uses. I'm
one for bold colors, and they come off incredibly in his pictures."
He uses a lot of court jesters in his work, she said. They look
comical because of the way he paints them, she said, but they are more
deep than comical.
She has three of Sogomonyan's works. Her most recent purchase shows a
character that she said looks very misunderstood and lonely.
"His paintings are just a beautiful interpretation," she said. "You'd
like for it to be in your home. It provokes you. His work just stirs
something in me."
STEPHANIE'S
466 Foothill Blvd. La Canada, CA 91011
(818) 790-4905
From: A. Papazian
By Joyce Rudolph
Published: January 3,
Los Angeles Times (Burbank Leader)
Building on an idea, artist Vigen Sogomonyan boldly takes oil painting
to another level.
Vivid reds and yellows immediately catch viewers' eyes in Vigen
Sogomonyan's oil paintings. But the subjects' expressions - most
noticeably their pursed lips - are what really hold attention.
"Lips are attractive," the artist said. "We speak with our lips.
"In the paintings, we read the true lips."
Also evident in his work is the layering of the paint applied to each
piece. Sogomonyan began working in acrylics, but moved to oil when he
saw the layering properties of the media, he said.
"It takes me several months to a year to finish one painting," he
said. "I use many layers to build the atmosphere that I want to see."
The technique calls for him to be constantly working on several
paintings at a time while waiting for them to dry, he said.
His love of story telling plays an important part in his work, he
said, as well as his love for the theater and movies he has seen. Each
of his paintings has a story behind it, or a message, he said.
"The result comes from emotions inside me," he said.
Several examples of works that illustrate his emotions are now on
exhibit at Stephanie's Art Gallery in La Caņada Flintridge.
One piece, "Other Side of Trust," features two characters wearing
masks. They are painted in intense gold and red colors and set against
a brownish-gold background. It shows how people have many faces, he
said.
"Each person has a different mask they wear when they are talking to
children, adults or a spouse," he said.
"I'm one who appreciates art especially when it comes from my
culture," Art collector Karen Mikaelian of La Caņada Flintridge said.
"I've been taught that art is to stimulate or arouse you in some way,
and Vigen's work stands out because of the vibrant colors he uses. I'm
one for bold colors, and they come off incredibly in his pictures."
He uses a lot of court jesters in his work, she said. They look
comical because of the way he paints them, she said, but they are more
deep than comical.
She has three of Sogomonyan's works. Her most recent purchase shows a
character that she said looks very misunderstood and lonely.
"His paintings are just a beautiful interpretation," she said. "You'd
like for it to be in your home. It provokes you. His work just stirs
something in me."
STEPHANIE'S
466 Foothill Blvd. La Canada, CA 91011
(818) 790-4905
From: A. Papazian