During the past ten years, while living in Moscow, Russia, Olesya and Jerry Koenig collected art for their own enjoyment from a number of highly recognized Moscow area artists. They developed close relationships with these artists and in discussions with them, it was discovered, they sold a significant portion of their artwork to not only Russians but Americans and other expatriates, while they lived and worked in Russia. They also learned, these “Honored Artists” and “People’s Artists” sold very little of their artwork directly into the United States. They then decided to exhibit Russian fine art in America, upon their move to Cambridge, in early 2010. From this, they developed their concept for “From Russia with Art” Gallery, which will import and sell various types of Russian artwork from their Cambridge location. This artwork will appeal not only to Russian émigrés and native Americans but to anyone who appreciates excellent artwork.

We want to show the people living in America, how beautiful and interesting artwork from Russia can be. It is our intention to bring paintings, both oil and water color, etchings, steel sculptures, pastels and mixed media contemporary artworks, to our gallery, from both well established, as well as up and coming Russian artists. When we have openings for our artists work, we plan to make arrangements to bring the artists here, when possible, to discuss their work as well as to give some demonstrations of how they craft their work.

Currently, we are exhibiting twenty etchings as well as some Soviet era Russian Linocut prints at the Children’s Hospital Gallery, 1295 Boylston Street, Boston, through June 2010. We established a relationship with the Cambridge Arts Council and participated in their Open Studios, during April/May 2010. We have also brought, two “Honored Artists” for their etchings, Alexander Vetrov and Irina Makoveeva, to Cambridge, where a series of open houses were held and lovers of etchings could meet and talk with the artists.

We have over 350 works of art, all ready for sale and welcome everyone to come and see our gallery with its various types of fine Russian artwork.

Alexander Vetrov is considered to be one the best colored needle etching artist in Russia. He was born in 1952, in what was then the Moscow Region and is now an area incorporated into the city of Moscow.

He acquired much of his techniques and skills while a student at the Moscow Art School and later at the Moscow Institute of Print Making. For his excellent work, he was awarded the special status of an “Honored Artist of Russia” by then Russian President, Vladimir Putin in 2002. His works have been shown in numerous exhibitions and shows in such diverse locations as; Moscow, Milan, Italy, Hamburg & Meldorf, Germany, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago and Montreal, Canada. His works are detailed pictures, panoramas of difficult but beautiful compositions. He handles details in symphony with nature and the accuracy of what he sees. He uses color tactfully and in a competent, professional manner, which blends into his etchings, without taking away from the etching itself. Scenes of villages, churches in ruins, his home, his mother, in the different seasons of the year, are all captured by the artist discerning eye in his etchings. Some of his best known works are; “Sunflowers In Suzdal,” #26, made in 1989, “Bridge to Native Roots, Autumn” #28, also made in 1989, “Sunny March in Korkino,” #15, made in 1996, “The Road To Church In Late Winter,” #4, made in 1993, “My Childhood Home – Late Spring, ” #1 made in 1991, “My Childhood Home – Autumn,” #1, made in 2001, “My Childhood Place, ” #3, made in 1993, “Our Blossoming Apple Tree,” #12 made in 2007, “Russian Samovars, ” #11 made in 1998, “Flowers For My Love,” #13, made in 2006, “Visions fo My Rucksack, #10, made in 2001,”“Mild January, Saint Vladimir Church,” #22, made in 1993 and “Mild Autumn Silence, ” #20, made in 1993. These are but a sampling of the many colored etchings, on display, by Alexander Vetrov.

The “From Russia With Art” Gallery in Cambridge, is the exclusive gallery to see and buy his works in New England. You are welcome to visit our gallery and see the outstanding colored etchings of Alexander Vetrov.

Stanislav Nikireyev is one the best etching artist ever to come from Russia. He was born in 1932 in the Russian Tambov Region. He acquired much of his techniques and skills while a student at the Penza Art School and then later at the Surikov Art Institute in Moscow. For his excellent work, he was awarded the special status of an “Honored Artist of Russia”, and later the status of “People’s Artist of Russia” from the Russian Academy of Arts. He was elected as a Member of Russian Academy of Arts. In 1990, he won the Russian Gold Medal for Fine Arts. His works have been shown in numerous exhibitions and shows in such diverse locations as; Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Prague, Berlin, London, Tokyo, Washington, New York & Chicago.

Stanislav Nikireyev black & white etchings capture all the seasons of nature and its creatures both from the past and from more current eras, producing many diverse and beautiful country scenes. Some of his best known works are; “The Kremlin in Rostov the Great” made in 1993, “Fall of the Leaves,” made in 1984, “Two Trees,” made in 1999, “Old Magpie Nest,” made in 1983, “Dandelions,” made in 2004, “Spring Flooding,” made in 1975, “Kalina Tree Overlooking Village,” made in 1977, “Magpie,” made in 1981, “Aunt Frosia’s Yard” made in 1990, “Apple Tree in Blossom,” made in 1978, “The Hoarfrost” made in 1987, “Winter Landscape,” made in 1972, “Buds Quietness,” made in 1983 and “Before Sunrise,” made in 1994. His black and white landscape etchings have incredible detail and no color is necessary to see and feel what the artist felt when he produced these works. A number of critics, have compared his work to the works of famous artists from the Dutch School; such as: Rembrandt van Rijn, Pieter Brueghel, the elder and Albrecht Duerer.

The “From Russia With Art” Gallery, Cambridge, is the exclusive gallery to see his works in New England. You are welcome to visit our gallery and see the outstanding etchings of Stanislav Nikireyev.

Irina Makoveeva is considered to be the best animal etching artist in Russia.

She was born in 1954, in the northern Russian City of Arkhangelsk and has lived in the Moscow Region since being a young girl. She studied art at the Moscow Pedagogical Institute, graduating in 1976 and started working as an artist in 1977. In 1981, she completed art courses and graduated from the Moscow House of Journalists. She has always had a fondness for animals and enjoys capturing their images in her etchings. For her prolific and excellent work, she was awarded the special status of an “Honored Artist of Russia” by then Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in 2005. She is also a member of the Russian Artists Union, since 1981, which counts among its members the best Russian artists. Her works have been shown in numerous exhibitions and shows in such diverse locations as; Moscow, Saint Petersburg, La Valetta, Malta, Varna, Bulgaria, Barcelona, Spain, Bonn, Germany, Paris, France, Milan, Italy, as well as over six shows or exhibitions in London. In 2005, at the 12th Annual International Awards and Exhibitions Show in Australia, Irina was awarded the top prize for the best miniature etching, Edipo, #310. In 2008, as a reward for her excellent work, she was given a stipend by the Russian Ministry of Culture. For the past five years, in conjunction with Moscow House of Graphics, Irina teaches young artists and organizes competitions, as well as cooperating with the Russian Culture TV channel. She also hosts a TV show, “Bibigon” on Russian Childrens TV chanel. In 2008, she received a medal from the Moscow Association of Hunters and Fishermen, for her etching series on “Hunting Dogs.” Her works on wild animals, many of the different breeds of dogs and cats, farm animals, birds and different types of insects are exceptional. Some of our favorites, in addition to “Edipo” are the “Hen & Chicks,” #339, Company of Bullfinches, #145, “A Trio of Bullfinches on A Branch,” #176, and “Five Bullfinches, ” #356. Her etchings of cats and dogs show them as they are not usually shown. She also shows various wild animals in nature, from hunting prey, to nurturing their offspring, as well as sleeping and eating. In addition her works on insects are different and exceptionally excellent. Irina has permanent exhibitions at the Pushkin State Art Museum, the Darvin State Museum, Timiryazev State Biological Museum and in the Etchings and Art Department of the Russian State Library. The above are but a sampling of the numerous etchings by Irina Makoveeva on display.

The “From Russia With Art” Gallery, in Cambridge, is the exclusive gallery to see and buy her works in New England. You are welcome to visit our gallery and see the many beautiful colored animal etchings of Irina Makoveeva.

Georgy Lapchinsky is a young and upcoming painter of landscapes, still life, portraits, persons and interiors.

He was born in 1968 in Moscow. From the time he was 12 years old, Georgy knew he wanted to be an artist. He attended and graduated from the V.I. Surikov High School in Moscow and earned a Gold Medal upon his graduation. From 1986 to 1994, he was a student at the Moscow Art Institute, which was under the USSR Academy of Arts. At the Moscow Art Institute, Georgy won Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals for his work. Georgy is not associated with the Union of Artists and since 1994, has worked as a free artist. He paints in the neo-realistic style, as a representative of the Moscow Art School with brightly colored paintings. Some of his best paintings are “At The Ballet Repetition,” #L1, made in 2009, “Interior With Piano,” #L2, also painted in 2009, “Winter,” #L3, painted in 2008, “Clean Pond,” #L4, painted in 2009, “Snow Road,” #L5, painted in 2008, “Girls & Swans At Patriarch Pond,” #L7, done in 2008, “September Snow Saint Basils Church”, made in 2009 and one of our favorites, “Spring On The Kremlin Grounds,” #L12, painted also in 2009. These are excellent examples of his painting skills, the ballet dancer, shown relaxing after a repetition, an interior of room with a grand piano and wonderful landscapes, particularly “Winter” and “Spring On The Kremlin Grounds”. This is only a sampling of the paintings to be displayed from Georgy Lapchinsky, starting in May 2010.

The “From Russia With Art” Gallery in Cambridge, is the exclusive gallery to see and buy his works in New England. You are welcome to visit our gallery and see the beautiful paintings by Georgy Lapchinsky.

An original metal sculpture by artist Masha Volkova. The artist works with steel and oxy acetylene welding process to create unique pieces with great attention to form, detail and texture. There is a certain kind magic in the balance between light and dark, the positive and the negative, airiness and solidity of form. Each sculpture is one of a kind. To prevent any rust or corrosion each piece is finished with a protective layer of wax and is easily dusted/cleaned using a wide soft bristle brush.

Artist Bio:

1979 – born Protvino, Russia
1994 – graduated from Children’s Art School, Protvino, Russia
1994 – moved to USA
2000 – BFA / Printmaking and Graphic Arts, SUNY Purchase, USA
2002 – starts working with metal. Studies welding technique under Andrey Volkov in Russia
2006 – present – attends The Art Students League in New York City, USA

Masha Volkova currently lives and works in New York City and makes regular trips to Russia. Her work is in the collection of: Moscow Bulgakov Museum / Russia, The Art Students League Permanent Collection / New York, USA as well as private collections in the USA and Russia.

Exhibition highlights / Awards:

2000 – Senior solo exhibit at SUNY Purchase, USA
2000 – present - participant of the annual Tarusa/Moscow Art Show, Tarusa, Russia
2003 – New Generation Exhibit, Central Artist House, Moscow
2004 – group exhibition, Municipal Gallery, Serpuhov, Russia
2006 – group exhibition, Bulgakov Museum, Moscow, Russia
2008 – group exhibition, Music Hall Gallery, Kaluga, Russia
2006 – present – annual group exhibition at The Art Students League, New York, USA
2006 – recipient of Best in Show award at The Art Students League, New York, USA
2006 – 2008 - recipient of The Work Study Scholarship from The Art Students League, New York, USA
2010 - recipient of The Merit Scholarship from The Art Students League, New York, USA

After receiving a classical Fine Art education in Russia, Ekaterina Khromin came to the United States and was deeply impressed by the new and vibrant culture of this country. This drastic change of lifestyle and atmosphere caused Ekaterina to evolve her artistic perspective. After having lived in the United States for over 20 years, Ekaterina Khromin’s paintings demonstrate a beautiful union of the Russian Soul, a strong and highly professional Fine Art education, and a newly emerged painting style. Ekaterina credits the United States with fueling her desire to create her paintings in an entirely novel way and to continue to strive for untouched possibilities in her artwork.

In her paintings, Ekaterina Khromin steps into a conversation with her viewer, asking for participation in the creative process by allowing that person to uncover the meaning of the work. Ekaterina has developed a unique approach to the combined use of texture and color in her artworks. Ekaterina Khromin also relies on the presence of text which uncovers the painting’s theme and serves as a decorative aspect within the artwork. This use of text is derived from the Russian Futurism art movement; which was born out of Russian Folk Art (Lubok).

Ekaterina Khromin received her M.F.A. from the St.Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts and her Ph.D. from U.S.S.R. Academy of Art. She has participated in many national and international exhibitions during her career.