Macedonian painter in Malta
David Edenden
Paintings for souvenirs
Times of Malta
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/index.php?&date=20040519
An artist from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is reviving the custom of creating paintings designed as souvenirs for the tourist market.
Dragan Stoilov first came to Malta on a holiday after completing his university studies some 10 years ago.
"I wanted to come here to see Malta and had originally planned to draw in chalk on the streets as they do in many European countries to earn some money, but then I found that (at the time) busking was illegal.
"So I spent more time going around, absorbing the magnificent settings steeped in history. I used to touch buildings and close my eyes and let my mind float through history," he said.
"There is such a rich heritage. I was mesmerised. I could see stuff you only see in films or old books. It captivated me," Mr Stoilov said.
He also started a relationship with a Maltese woman, who later became his wife. He is now a Maltese citizen.
"I started off drawing pen and wash drawings the size of postcards to sell to tourists who wanted an original souvenir of something they had seen. But then I started working with oils and acrylics as well, again, mainly with the tourist market in mind," he said.
"Artists who came to Malta in the 19th century did what I am doing now. They saw land or seascapes and painted them. Some painted them in great detail. Others did Impressionist pieces. Most of these were sold as souvenir pictures and are now worth a small fortune," he said.
From the rickety easel in Republic Street, Mr Stoilov has now moved to a small studio opposite the Manoel Theatre.
"Working in a studio is more convenient, but I like being out and meeting people and sometimes I still go out and sit at City Gate to paint or sketch, as I used to do when I first came to Malta," he said.
"One of the most important things when painting is that you use good quality materials. You can't have nice paintings if you use cheap materials. And irrespective of who my painting is for, I use the best material I can buy," he said.
Working in a country drenched by the sun, many of Mr Stoilov's works show stark contrasts between shadows and light. But he recently started using a new technique, sketching, then applying thick modelling paste, over which he adds layers of paint.
"The end result is very pleasant as it gives paintings more depth. And no matter how many times you paint colourful luzzus at Marsaxlokk, you can never have two paintings that are alike, even if you draw them exactly from the same vantage point," he said.
"Although the paintings are rather Impressionist, people are still able to recognise where it represents," Mr Stoilov said. He is preparing a set of paintings on Gozo.
Although artists never speak of booming business, Mr Stoilov said he could sense an increasing awareness, particularly from younger people.
"Artists add colour to a country. They should be given more space.
"In summer I sell my work mostly to tourists. But I can sense a slight increase in demand from younger local people, who would sometimes want a painting of their yard or house, or street. I really like it when I can do it in this style with modelling paste. This is my style. This is me," he said.
Dorian West
Greek NG not some SLAVIC shithole of a NG. You flatheads have an arrogance
and a nerve about you. Time you got some arse-kicking to set you straight.
"David Edenden" <david....@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:A2Qqc.59395$Zxc....@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
Col.Grivas
Last week Macedonian officials admitted that this was a lie, and that
the shooting was a staged murder, part of a clumsy plot to try to
impress the US.
--
oso toso