Painting of the Douro Valley in Portugal. We visited Porto in Sept 2024 and had the opportunity to take a day trip to the Douro Valley to taste beautiful Port wine. I wanted to capture the beauty of that valley with all the vineyards. Painting is completed using oil pastels, acrylics and gel medium. Original size is 18 x 24".

Simon Raskina

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Art drives me, challenges me, picks me back up and smacks me in the face. I use my artwork and paintings to spread optimism and a positive mental attitude among my viewers. I believe in creating colorful, thought-provoking artwork using very simple themes. I have been inspired throughout the years by many artists, from Oskar Kokoschka to Frank Frazetta to Julie Bell. Whether it is the intensity of my brushstrokes or the soft blending of my portraits, my consistency can be found in my technicolor pallet. I create art because of the ones I love, to inspire future generations and to spread a positive message. Toronto-based artist Simon Raskina creates displays of majestic color through his detailed paintings of familiar and exotic subjects. His work focuses on the enduring natural beauty of landscapes, animals and portraits with applications of kaleidoscopic brushstrokes and smoky textures to produce a picturesque quality. Although working in a realistic style, Raskina's compositions contain an idealized palette that tends towards fantasy and neon opulence. This effect, however, only adds to the naturalistic style and the overall sense of positivity and unrestrained energy in his works. Simon has had the opportunity to exhibit and showcase his paintings in New York, Denver, Toronto and Los Angeles. When Simon is not painting he enjoys performing with his punk rap band Generation Zero. Links: Website: https://www.simonraskina.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonraskina/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simonraskina