NELLY PANTO

Panto has worked as a book illustrator and designer, which included illustrating books by the authors of many Russian classic works. Among these books are the writings of Dostoevsky, Chekhov, and Kuprin.

It is a delight to realize that Nelly Panto, even with classical Russian art training depicts a modern view of contemporary life, and also paints in a completely modern way. Extraordinarily, you can still feel the design, color and light quality of classic Russian Icons and stained glass.

Special attention is given to the atmosphere in her paintings. An evening on the town comes to life by the use of deep shadow and light, reflective surfaces and flickering highlights. The mosaic type of texture painted on the canvas adds depth and contrast to these rich paintings. These elements, combined with the masterful use of brush stroke, evoke within the viewer the essential mood of such evenings.

Panto's compositions first draw us to the central figure or figures. After a few moments, the viewer finds much more in the canvas; enjoys wonderful décor in the cafes, observes the unknown and faceless people waiting at the bar, smells the flowers and may even hear a band.

It is rare for a painter to be able to touch on these romantic notions, and yet deliver a masterful and dynamic 21ast century modernist painting. Nelly Panto has done just that.