The Artist Of The Month Of Yuba-Sutter Arts
January 24th, 2015 - Marysville, CA
By David Read
David Read is President of the Board of Directors for Yuba Sutter Arts, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide arts programming, education, advocacy, assistance and service to artists, organizations and residents of Yuba and Sutter Counties. Its programs include summer art classes for students from both counties, the Women's Creative Circle, Shakespeare Readers’ Theatre, the Any Child Can elementary school music program
, Very Special Arts Festival, Harvest the Arts and Art Harvest plein air painting program and Art Everywhere. Contact: (530) 749-8065, email@yubasutterarts.org
Maxim Komissarchik began to paint and make sculptures at a very young age. He made his first gouache painting at the age of seven inspired by the magic and colors of the circus. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, a place which has inspired three centuries of great artists, he was able to absorb and transform its rich art tradition.
Max immigrated to the United States over twenty years ago and has continued to explore the realm of forms, lines and colors while assimilating to the totally new experience of living in America. While his work is not overtly political, Max’s art is still full of hidden symbolism found among the intricate patterns and color spaces. His long involvement in spiritual work here and in Russia has served to help connect him to himself, thereby enriching his art. Each of his art works conveys a storm of emotions. The viewer is submerged into the sometimes surreal world of Max’s vivid imagination. For him, Joy is the driving force of inspiration. When he is fully immersed and devoted to the work he is doing, Max says he feels himself to be really alive and truly happy.
“I paint both what I see and what I feel – focusing on the sensation and context of my experience. I employ both traditional and innovative techniques, while letting the uncertain nature of painting free my hand. My paintings are finished when they are able to convey a moment or sensation of where I am, as well as what I am seeing.”
In addition to his work in acrylics and as a muralist and abstractionist, Max is a lot of fun as a teacher. He was the guest artist/instructor for Yuba Sutter Arts’ recent “Art Party,” the first in an ongoing series of artist led evenings whereby participants learn basic art techniques and complete a project over the course of two hours while enjoying fine wines and appetizer. It is a unique opportunity to learn from a master in a casual, relaxed and fun setting. Max has a tremendous following in Northern California and has had a number of showings in our area. He continues to be a driving force in the art scene in our community.