Steve Bogdanoff

American artist Steve Bogdanoff began detailed drawings of people and scenes at age 6, and painting oil on canvas by age 10, which he continued through the late 1980s. In 1990, he became captivated by ancient art history, studying as many archeological illustrations and history as possible. Bogdanoff began to experiment with painting on plaster to capture a wall mural effect similar to those in his research, and proceeded to create his first fresco secco-style piece. Because he was educating himself in a new medium, Bogdanoff was forced to think beyond any previous formal training, which ultimately proved quite invaluable. A passion for creating fresco paintings grew and flourished for the next 10 years. From 2000 to 2005, he was juried by a prestigious art panel to be featured at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, taking a break in 2001 and 2002 to prepare for the opening of Bogdanoff Gallery on Royal Street in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. In 2006 the artist relocated to Santa Fe, home to America’s second largest art market. Now, 17 years after creating his first fresco piece, Bogdanoff is recognized internationally for his interpretive fresco secco paintings and giclée works on paper and canvas. His art is displayed in residences and businesses worldwide, and is featured in numerous national publications.

Bogdanoff is influenced by ancient Greek art among others, replicating in the fresco form scenes depicted in scores of wall murals, friezes, reliefs, vase paintings, and statues ranging from the Greek Bronze Age through the Renaissance. He strives to capture the essence of not only a time in civilizations lost but also of past cultures which continue to fascinate archaeologists and art enthusiasts alike. Bogdanoff envisions what colors and styles would be applied for a displayed wall painting of a specific subject at that time in history and assimilates his interpretation into the fresco piece. He also incorporates his neo-expressionist and realist works with the fresco secco technique through a marriage of classic, contemporary and modern styles.

Utilizing his concept of color and composition, together with a comprehensive knowledge of archeological discoveries and art history, Bogdanoff creates historic and personal moments forgotten in time. His intent is to achieve the creation and reinvention of images that have the powerful ability to evoke myriad emotions through the awe-inspiring richness and variety of select subject matter and the technique of paint application to plaster.

“Painting is my form of meditation,” says Bogdanoff. “Every session is very gratifying, both emotionally and spiritually, and ultimately brings serenity and healing. My hope is that by passing my works on, they will affect others as they have affected me.”

Part of his process:
“Once I prepare my plaster/lime “canvas,” I rub in numerous thin acrylic pigment washes with towels, brushes, and my palms and fingers, building up layers of the washes until I have a completed painting.  I then proceed to “vandalize” my work by distressing the paint and plaster through numerous steps to achieve an appearance of antiquity, which include cracking, breaking, sanding, sawing, chiseling, sculpting, pitting, and staining. After the breaking process, I am left with re-assembling numerous pieces of my canvas, fitting them all back together much like a jigsaw puzzle. There are no faux breaks or cracks in my work. The fresco is then mounted onto a customized precision-sized backing for reinforcement.”

“Vive La Nouvelle-Orleans”

(Long live New Orleans)

As a tribute to my extraordinary city, I have created this giclee print to symbolize its strength and timeless beauty.  I have limited the edition to 287, signifying the number of years between 1718 (the year New Orleans was founded by Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville) and 2005.  My intent is to convey hope as New Orleans strives to rebuild and rise again.

A portion of all sales proceeds shall be donated to hurricane relief efforts.

The fleur-de-lis is the royal emblem of France – a country that profoundly influenced Louisiana, beginning in 1682 when French explorer Sieur de La Salle first descended the Mississippi to its mouth, took possession “of the country know as Louisiana”, and named it for the reigning monarch of France, Louis XIV.  Today, the fleur-de-lis, which translates to “flower of the lily”, remains a symbol for Louisiana and the celebration of its first permanent settlement in 1714 by Louis Jachereau de St. Denis.

"Antelope"	"Bacchus & Flora"	"Blue Monkeys No. 9"
"Octopus"	"Desire"	"Flying Fish"
"Zara"	:"Red Monkey #3"	"Green Monkey No. 4"