atelier
KONOKO (Tatiana Kononenko) born on 29 June 1976, in Voronezh, USSR, is a contemporary French painter living and working in Provence. From a young age, KONOKO decided to become an artist. The five-year education at the Children’s School of the Arts provided the basic skills needed to express her creativity, then she continued her education at the Stroganov Higher School of the Arts for six years. KONOKO’s natural sensitivities are clearly reflected in her artworks. Rich in natural palette’s nuances and the mastery usage of complementary colours makes the light and chromatic contrasts vibrate, without using black colour.
Fascinated by oil painting, KONOKO strives to express and convey to us her perception of the world, combining the use of classical oil paints in tubes, with modern oil batons, repeatedly applying sequential layers and reinforcing with clear details, helping to develop shapes and colours with a greater character. Such multi-layered painting enhances light effects and colour contrasts, improving the perception of the volume of space into which the viewer’s gaze is immersed.
Thanks to the tireless observation of the world around her and the daily life that drives her, as well as the travel through Europe, KONOKO does not stop making drawings and filling numerous travel logs (sketchbooks).
Using various materials such as oil, gouache, watercolour, coloured pencils, pastel, dry or oil pastel, KONOKO has developed a special style thanks to her own oil painting technique, resulting in the birth of original artworks. Kononko's works were selected for the “French Artists” section (Salon des Artistes Français) of the Salon Art Capital 2023 in Paris, for the “Heritage and Innovation” section of the 120th Salon d'Automne 2023/2024 and 121th Salon d'Automne 2024 in Paris
Fascinated by oil painting, KONOKO strives to express and convey to us her perception of the world, combining the use of classical oil paints in tubes, with modern oil batons, repeatedly applying sequential layers and reinforcing with clear details, helping to develop shapes and colours with a greater character. Such multi-layered painting enhances light effects and colour contrasts, improving the perception of the volume of space into which the viewer’s gaze is immersed.
Thanks to the tireless observation of the world around her and the daily life that drives her, as well as the travel through Europe, KONOKO does not stop making drawings and filling numerous travel logs (sketchbooks).
Using various materials such as oil, gouache, watercolour, coloured pencils, pastel, dry or oil pastel, KONOKO has developed a special style thanks to her own oil painting technique, resulting in the birth of original artworks. Kononko's works were selected for the “French Artists” section (Salon des Artistes Français) of the Salon Art Capital 2023 in Paris, for the “Heritage and Innovation” section of the 120th Salon d'Automne 2023/2024 and 121th Salon d'Automne 2024 in Paris
The main inspiration source for me is the feeling of colour. Every minute of the day is reflected in my mind by the incredible harmony of light and colour. Imagine, when the picture comes together in my mind’s eye, precisely that moment makes me stop and record my impression on paper or a notepad that I always carry with me.
My work must start as a sketch from nature, be it flowers or a city landscape. I often change my location in search of the necessary composition fragments, which are assembled like a construction set. Then, I recreate the sketch on a canvas. I take advantage of oil paints, their purity, transparency, and the ability to rework a painting many times. At the end, there is a waiting period of six months for the paint layer to dry, which ends with varnishing. I have to control each stage of oil painting, as, at the end, I'm responsible for the result.
Words that best describe my work are "coloured movement of air".
My work must start as a sketch from nature, be it flowers or a city landscape. I often change my location in search of the necessary composition fragments, which are assembled like a construction set. Then, I recreate the sketch on a canvas. I take advantage of oil paints, their purity, transparency, and the ability to rework a painting many times. At the end, there is a waiting period of six months for the paint layer to dry, which ends with varnishing. I have to control each stage of oil painting, as, at the end, I'm responsible for the result.
Words that best describe my work are "coloured movement of air".
It is possible to make oil paintings on canvas upon request.