STORY BEHIND THE ART OF ALEXANDER VIAZMENSKY

18th Annual International

American Society of Botanical Artists at The Horticultural Society of New York

Cortinarius 

Cortinarius sp.

I have been in love with mushrooms since my childhood. To me they are the 'soul of the woods'. I love them not for their taste but for their beauty.

Cortinarius is a big group of mushrooms. Many of them are beautiful and, like I say, "paintable". These particular ones had been found at a very good age and in very good condition. When I saw them I could not resist. First I found and painted the group of three in the middle of the page. For the next couple of days I was looking for the others to finish the composition. They needed to be at a certain stage and shape.

The color of these Cortinarius was pretty elusive. It was changing depending on the angle of light. It was a challenge and a pleasure to catch it. I used both wet brush and dry brush.

I hope people will see my delight in these mushrooms and my love for them. I also hope to 'infect' some people with my love for mushrooms and to inspire anybody to paint them. 

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