Виталий Бубенцов. Живопись. Графика = Vitaly Bubentsov. Painting & graphic : [альбом]. - Мурманск : [б. и.], 2012 (Санкт- Петербург : Тип. ЗАО "ЭС-Принт"). - 175 с. : ил., портр.

The terms of success of the honored Russian artist VitalyBubentsov are the skill, commitment, active civil position,dedication to his native land. Being a native citizen of Murmansk, V. Bubentsov devoted his main works to the Kola Polar Region. «Songs of the White Sea,» «KhibinyPantries», « Umba-mountains, Umba-forest», «Trans-Polar Marathon,» «Fishermen working days», «Milestones of the Valley of Glory,» «Ancient Kovda» is not a complete list ofworks thatmade the artist famous not only on Murmanskexhibitions, but also on otherRussian ones. Numerous trips along the KolaPeninsula, sailing in the sea, constant studying the local history enrich the themes of his works. From all the trips he returns with a large number of outlines, drawings, sketches in oil, pen, pastel, pencil, watercolour. They are lively, impetuous and reflect the spontaneity of the author's feelings.Each year the artist'stravel routesbecome more diverse. He travelled to Siberia, to the Crimea and Central Asia, to Spitsbergen, worked in the Netherlands and Norway for a long time. It's impossible to name every place. The trips resulted in appearing the sets of works which revealed different sides of the artist's talent. Decorative origin prevails in Turkmen motives, succulent palette defines the Gurzuf landscapes. The Dutch set is full of pictorial and compositional findings. The drawings created during the three-month voyage on a sailboat «Sedov» from St. Petersburg to the island of Madeira through Poland, Holland, Germany and France are so admirable in their lightness and virtuosity.From the last trip to Norway in 2004, the artist brought about 80 paintings, watercolor and graphic works. In these works the artist reveals the peculiar atmosphere of the polar night. He subtly develops light-and-air environment, conveys the sense of frosty air, the richness of colours of sky and sea space. VitalyBubentsov is a versatile artist who works successfully in many genres. The artist created an interesting gallery of portraits. Many of his heroes are people who have made a significant contribution to the development of our region. They are artists and scientists, sailors and engineers, geologists and doctors, journalists... It's enough to remember bright portraits of the trawler V.T. Kozlov, photojournalist E.A. Khaldey, Russian national artiste M.P. Skoromnikova. The portraits of close people — a wife and daughters — are painted with special warmth. Despite all the love of Bubentsov to the exotic of distant places, northern theme prevails in the landscape compositions. He continues to depict Murmansk, KolaBay, hills, cliffs, lakes, old Pomor villages Varzuga and Kovda with their remarkable monuments o f wooden architecture. In every his work the artist embodies new shades of feelings and moods. In addition to intimate and lyrical landscapes there are a lot of works where monumental nature dominates. These works include such landscape-paintings as «M y Murmansk», «Ancient Kovda», «Varzuga» in which the theme of love to the homeland sounds powerfully and solemnly. The most complete realization the artist finds in thematic painting. His works of recent years — «Apple Spas», «Songs of the White Sea,» « Roads to the temple» —are filled with sophisticated spiritual content and internal tension. Following the tradition of Russian art school with its commitment to high ideals and socially relevant themes, V. Bubentsov does not alter the realistic style of painting. Proper drawing, attention to the laws of composition and colour continue to be the foundation of his creative style. Plastic expressiveness of painting, softness ofcolours combined with energeticpresentationgives Bubentsov's canvasesa permanent modern sound. Over the years the painter's palette becomes lighter, thinner and spatial environmentbecomes more transparent. The favorite compositional technique of the artist is the highest point of view, when a bird's eye view is opened and fills the pictures withan epic scope. The creative work of VitaliyBubentsovis known far beyond the Kola region. He worthily represents the art of Murmansk region at high art forums. His works are kept in museums and private collections in our country and abroad. Now the artist shares his experience with the students of Murmansk Pedagogical University. E. Ivanova Art critic 7