Artist SPOTLIGHT: Capturing the beauty of Naples on canvas
September 16, 2024
When artist Julia Kostsova first came to Naples, Florida, in 2014 she was astounded by the amazing light and its intensity. Russian-born, Kostsova lives in St. Petersburg, Russia.
“In St. Petersburg, it’s completely different, there you can spend a long time understanding the shades of gray,” said Kostsova, “but in Naples the light makes the environment brighter, more powerful, richer.”
Kostsova has visited here teaching at the Bonita Arts Center and Lee Alliance for the Arts and painting the beauty that she sees. “Such pleasant, charming streets, cafes, leisurely pleasant walks, a beautiful beach,” she said. “I want to capture this beauty on canvas.”
When Kostsova was young she envisioned three professions: ballerina, writer or artist. She thought these were the most interesting. Ballerina and writer proved to be too difficult but she took to painting easily and with great pleasure. There were multiple excursions to art schools and museums during her youth that had a profound influence on her. From 1999-2004 she attended the Yekaterinburg Art School and then eventually graduated from the St. Petersburg State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture named after I. E. Repin which is considered the best classical art academy in the world, she said.
Inspired by everything that surrounds her, it is often landscapes, sometimes people, flowers, animals, music. After winning awards for her art, she travelled to China and taught at Hunan Woman’s University, then was invited to visit Naples by Leeza and Olga Arkhangelskaya of East West Fine Art.
Shoppers walking on Fifth Avenue South walk past the male sculpture with his palm out checking for raindrops in “Del Mar.” The “5th Avenue Coffee” includes a popular spot with its umbrellas and sunshine.
“The sunrises and sunsets are simply stunning, beautiful and breathtaking,” she said. Approaching the process differently, Kostsova will try to find the time and place and come with a sketchbook and paint from life. But sometimes this is not possible and she’ll take photographs so that later in the studio she can transfer it to canvas.
Paintings of beaches, palm trees, docks and more all reflect Kostsova’s talent. To see more of her work visit eastwestfineart.com and East West Fine Art: 9118 Strada Place No. 8130 at Mercato, Naples.
February 01, 2024
By Kathy O’Flinn
kathy@swspotlight.com
