Yuri Petrovich Fedotov is an artist and poet who independently developed his creative abilities. In this he was helped by the northern lands, which he fell in love with and remained there to live. He was called a nugget artist and master who never strove for fame and who for human happiness considered the existence of the sun and a piece of bread on the table.
From biography
Yuri Petrovich Fedotov was born in 1928 in the Saratov region. At the beginning of the war, as a thirteen-year-old teenager, he worked as a minder on a fishing vessel. Then in his life there was a vocational school and work as a turner at an aircraft factory in Moscow.
The beginning of creativity
In 1957, a graduate of the art studio was in the city of Omsk. Here his career as a painter began. In November 1965, Yuri went to the Barents Sea and stopped in Pechora. As he recalled later:
He was fascinated by the northern landscape. As he said, all this corresponded to his internal energy, because he is not a southern person. Why exactly in Pechora? He answers him like this:
He confessed his love for the North, for simple, ordinary northerners, said that something was left untouched, virgin here.
Creative path of Y. Fedotov was not easy. Only thanks to his perseverance, he managed to make himself an artist.
Landscape open spaces
Yu. Fedotov loved to draw a harsh, but in his own way peculiar northern nature. Landscapes are painted with such colors that the weather of those places is almost physically felt - whether it is a summer or winter corner of nature; and vast space, and a winter road, and impassable distances. One of the paintings is sad night landscapes. In another work on the river surface, the purity and coolness of water is felt.
He was always stunned by the spring tundra. No matter how much he wrote it, he did not find peace.
Portrait painting
Y. Fedotov created portraits of Pechora men. Journalist E. Lazarev notes that portraits painted by the artist are
Men of the North: geologists, hunters, reindeer herders, fishermen - people with wind-blown faces, slightly tired eyes, calloused hands, people who gave their whole lives to hard work. These are strong, courageous natures, living with a deep meaning.
His portrait paintings are known:
Most often, portraits appear men who look into the endless distance and think about something important for themselves.
Still lifes
Managed Yu. Fedotov and still lifes. They are not enough.
This is a blossoming fragrant lilac, and field bells, and daisies in a wicker basket, and a bowl with forest gifts, and a table in a log cabin in the village. Here is a traditional samovar, rolls, shangi, fish … And from all this, an invisible exciting aroma.
The work is simple, just as the people themselves living in the North are simple. The simple life of the northerners is reflected on the table. The fisherman will cook the ear. This is his favorite dish to be cooked in a simple fishing pot.
In a simple village vase, not roses, not lilies, but the simplest flower of the north - a sunflower. And next to what is always dear to all people is bread. He is a peasant loaf. The table decoration is modest.
Nugget poet
Y. Fedotov was fascinated not only by painting, but also by poetry. His poems were not widely printed, and he himself did not offer them to publishers.
As a poet and as an artist, he loved the sun, wind, space. I wrote about this. He wanted to live all days, which was not in the heart of sadness, to feel the spring nectar. And most importantly, all that he did good, he would like to give to people.
In his poems he sends greetings to people who live far, far in the north, where he has not been everywhere yet, and sends them warmth. What will he become when he finishes his life journey? What will he turn into? Part of the ocean? An ear in the cornfield? A distant star? Blooming apple tree? Warm rain? He wants to rush over his native land with a free bird. Whoever he becomes, he wants to not be remembered dashingly.
Here are his simple but wise desires:
Life credo
Yuri Petrovich was a restless, energetic man. He strove for long-distance travel. An excellent walker, he knew how to create an atmosphere of comfort in a swamp and in the taiga. He liked to talk around the fire about history, morality, art.
The question - “how do we live now” - did not allow Fedotov himself to live in peace. People around him believe that he is a complete lack of money. Neither capital has gained, nor the comfort of everyday life. He did not pursue earnings. I almost did not sell my pictures, I was not attracted to any posts.
The fact that the soul of man is formed by nature, he is unconditionally convinced. And the child, in his opinion, should be given this genuine joy, and not be left alone with dead electronics.
Life credo of Y. Fedotov:
