Valeriya Khomar
Decades ago, when Valeriya began her studies, she worked mainly with watercolor oil, pastel and gouache. However, over time, being an accomplished watercolorist, she fell in love with acrylic. The artist was drawn by the larger range of possibilities of this media, which let her combine the wonderful qualities of watercolour and oil. As Valeriya developed her technique with acrylics, she was able to create surprising new effects, combining the transparency of watercolours and the deep intensity of oil. The artist often works with modelling paste for depth and texture, as well as metallic and pearl paint because they offer a wonderful sheen to her work.
Valeriya Khomar was born in Kiev, Ukraine. Her father, a talented, multi-dimensional
artist, enrolled his daughter in a class at an Art Studio for young artists. Later on,
Valeriya graduated from an Art School and after, from an Art and Design College in Kiev.
In 1995 she came with her family to Montreal. As a new arrival coming into Canada, she continued her education at Dawson College and Concordia University in Montreal. Soon latter, she started a career in Fashion industry as a graphic designer and illustrator, doing
visual presentations and artworks for the main apparel companies in Montreal.
In the midst of a successful run, Valeriya made the life changing decision to go back to
her roots and build a creative career of her own. About 4 years ago Valeriya started her full time career as a painter.
Reviews:
“The energy in her work is emboldened by her dramatic colouring that magically highlights forms and turns them into all kinds of moving textures that are feathery, strong of fleeting”.
- Nancy Snipper, Writer, “The Free Press” Newspaper, Montreal, 2015
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"Your work exhibits a great sense of composition and attention to detail. The level of experimentation in this particular medium is very innovative. The concept is a very unique approach to your technique and vision. As far as criticism goes, the judges have no particular comments as to what could improve, as we all agree that your message gets across unquestionably.”
- Shawn James, Director, Green Point Gallery, New York, 2015
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"Valeriya Khomar has a definite signature style with the ribbon-like imagery. The acrylic painting called "The Road to .." uses color well with the warm and cool palette and the movement to the upper right of the canvas communicate a sense of upward direction along a road idea. The special small cut-away subtraction sections to the ribbon structure gives a sense of roughness along the way and this makes the statement more compelling. The works "Tree of Life" and "Familia" reinforce her style, each expressing special meanings. And her work "Spring Rising", in her abstract interpretation, reveals a rising up from the cold into the bright and sunny part of Spring."
- Laurence Bradshaw, Curator, Professor of Art, Upstream People Gallery, 2015
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“I like the dynamical structure of Valeriya's work. It seems to move on its own. Valeriya Khomar has a creative flair that makes her abstract work stand out, as you will see in this video (YouTube).”
- Keith Yingling, Director, American Juried Art Salon, 2015
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"Valeriya’s work truly leads the imagination into a whole other world where anything is possible! Valeriya’s work will be featured at the upcoming RAW Montreal showcase on the 13th of June 2014!”
- Cynthia Ballesteros, Executive Director, RAW Canada
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“Your work emerges both abstract and representational without succumbing to either discipline exclusively. Specifically, your piece entitled 'Ties' is beautifully rendered with a duality of color temperatures in the background. These pieces are very well-executed and thus intriguing.”
- Shawn James, Director, Green Point Gallery, New York, 2014
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"Valeriya Khomar has developed a very interesting visual vocabulary. The organic development of her "Admiration" is quite remarkable. And the sense of movement is quite effective in "Four Winds". Furthermore, her "Ties" is impressive with the sense of moving form."
- Laurence Bradshaw, Curator, Professor of Art, Upstream People Gallery, 2014
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"Dear Ms Khomar,
I have viewed your website and I was drawn to your abstract and contempo work. I especially like "Admiration" and "Tree". It was also a pleasure to see your drawings which demonstrate that you are a talented artist in how you capture the human form."
- Sergio Monte, Curator, Biennale Chianciano 2013
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"Interesting work - consistant."
"Organic and sculptural. Consistent personal statement. Makes the viewer think."
"Good coherent compositions and pleasing use of color and forms."
- Critics' reviews, SCA Spring 2014
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"Congratulations on having your work selected from approximately 400 entries from various part of the world."
- Ahyor Thompson, Co- Founder& Art Director, Four Points Contemporary, 2013
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"I love so much your art and all the light that spills out from it. In fact, I have never seen as much light from art as yours."
- Vienney Carpentier, Poet/Writer, 2012
"After a hiatus in my artistic pursuits, it feels so amazing to come back to my roots, to become myself. I am so blessed that I was able to recognise myself as an artist and so grateful that others responded so positively."
Valeriya Khomar