Martin Lawrence Galleries

Liudmila Kondakova’s first childhood memories were all bright color: reds, blues, greens, yellows, and whites. She recalls that her first persistent question to the adults around her was “What color is this”? Painting absorbs Kondakova’s whole being. If she is not painting, she is thinking about her current or future projects. Days when she does not work, she considers lost. Liudmila Kondakova painted with egg tempera for many years. It is an unforgiving technique. If you make a mistake, you have to start over. Through this process, she learned planning and discipline, and she uses those skills to create highly detailed paintings of her favorite cities, places, and spaces.  She starts painting from the farthest background area, and she works forward. From the darkest parts of the painting to the lightest, as if she is bringing her composition from darkness to light. Paris is a city that Kondakova has portrayed time and again in her work, and its architecture has inspired many of her works.

Liudmila Kondakova’s “Brasserie” is part of her “Postcard from Paris” suite. A collection of images that you might choose yourself if you were traveling in Paris. “Wish you were here!" here comes to mind when you see “Brasserie”. Paris is an experience to savor and share, and Kondakova’s intent has always been to share the beauty of Paris and carry it with her through her art.  Liudmila Kondakova has been a visitor to Paris many times, and each time comes away with new images burned into her creative vision. Just like other “Liudmila Kondakova” artworks “Brasserie” is rich in detail and color. Portraying one of the oldest restaurants in Paris “Brassiere” features “Bistro 1900” which Liudmila Kondakova has chosen to feature it in details in another painting. “Brasserie” details the unique architecture of Paris and the café society that is part of the cities lure. “Brasserie” is an 18 x 14- inch hand signed serigraph on linen created in 2003.