Enchanting Cow Muzzle in Approach, 2022
Max Skoblinsky

Max Skoblinsky — Artist, Sculptor, Art Teacher, and Traveler from Ukraine (b. 1966)

From a young age, I have been passionately studying art and have professionally mastered the techniques of old masters such as Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Monet, Soutine, and others. This education laid the foundation for my artistic journey, allowing me to learn multiple "languages" of painting. Today, my works intertwine classical aesthetics with contemporary art movements.

In my paintings and sculptures, I blend academic techniques with modern materials and future technologies. I work with oil and acrylic, while my sculptures are crafted using plaster, bronze, and wood (a nod to my early work as a netsuke master). Working with sculpture taught me to fully understand volume and 3D effects, which I actively incorporate into my paintings through textured and dynamic brushstrokes, resembling stylus work.

For over 15 years, I have been teaching students from diverse cultural backgrounds, tastes, and skill levels. This interaction helps me stay flexible and find new approaches, reflected in my works, where you can often see experiments with styles and techniques. My teaching is not just about sharing knowledge but about mutual enrichment. Teaching helps me learn as well, keeping my creativity in constant motion and evolution.

Traveling the world and working en plein air, I discover unique visual elements that inspire me and find their way into my creations.

My art is like a single series of long journeys through the world of arts, across centuries and continents. But it has no lengthy episodes or seasons. Everything is dynamic yet not chaotic! Through my art, I speak to you in a modern vernacular and in the various dialects of the world.

Themes and Concepts in My Work

Introspection and Resonance

Through my works — especially male and child portraits, as well as female figuratives — I encourage you to look beyond the surface, revealing the inner essence of objects and people. I invite you to explore your own emotions and experiences, creating a space for self-discovery.

Through the characters in my works, I subtly provoke you to look inward, exploring questions of identity, vulnerability, and strength. Using deep symbols, multilayered textures, and color accents, I aim to create cognitive and emotional resonance, enabling you not only to see but also to feel the internal dynamics of the artwork. Notice where I place emphasis for maximum engagement and where I leave space for silence and contemplation, allowing you to find your own meanings and experience a unique aesthetic journey.

Dialogue Between Eras

By combining traditional, academic, and classical techniques in oil, acrylic, and sanguine with modern materials, I build a bridge between eras. My works demonstrate that classical art can remain relevant and engaging today while seamlessly interacting with contemporary materials and technologies, creating a new artistic space.

At the same time, modern art gains harmony and depth through classical methods. Modern technologies provide me with the freedom to experiment with materials, enabling innovative work with textures. By combining oil with contemporary compounds, I create unique visual effects. This transforms the classical approach into a dynamic and contemporary artistic language capable of emotionally engaging the viewer and conveying profound meaning.

Simplicity as Depth

Minimalism and conciseness in my works highlight the essentials. I strive for an aesthetic where minimal means — a single line, color accent, or texture — can create tension and hidden meaning, allowing the viewer to complete the dialogue with the artwork themselves.

Interactivity and Engagement

The use of modern technologies enhances the sense of presence and makes the viewer an active participant in the interaction with my works. This creates a unique personal experience where everyone can see and feel something individual.

Harmony Through Contrasts

I explore opposites: simplicity and complexity, light and shadow, tradition and innovation. These contrasts help to deepen the understanding of the seen and to experience hidden meanings. Each work demands a unique approach: one painting may be dominated by soft, muted colors and smooth transitions, creating an atmosphere of calm and reflection. Another may feature bold, contrasting shades and sharp lines, emphasizing drama and inner conflict.

Textures also vary: sometimes I use smooth, almost invisible layers to focus attention on form, while other times I employ rough, relief surfaces to enhance the feeling of movement and energy.

My art is a journey that begins with my dialogue with the canvas and continues in the thoughts and hearts of viewers. I invite you to be part of this dialogue, find your meanings, and enjoy a unique aesthetic experience.