Impressionism, appearing more than a hundred years ago is a phenomenon both well-studied and rather mysterious. Very different artists have been labeled as impressionists. Different in style, in spirit, and, most importantly, in the the complex of their solvable tasks. In considering the work of the artist Tatiana Godovalnikova, it is very hard to resist from using the word “Impressionism”. The question is, what does this term give us in understanding the creative artwork of a single artist? Frankly, very little, almost nothing. Perhaps more interesting is the question, what is the major focus of the attention of this artist? Immediately, to the vague term Impressionism, we add a much more specific term – light,  the flow of light. The natural light stream is what makes up the compositional, and often the plot foundation of works by this artist. Light, whose plot function was noticed even by Vermeer, acts as a structure-forming element of the image in the works of T.Godovalnikova. The precise characteristics of the light stream, become a necessary condition for the creation of an authentic visual space. The magical aura of the artwork by T. Godovalnikova, the charm of the atmosphere of her works, are a natural consequence of the authenticity of the key compositional link – light.
•  Working with light, is one of the most interesting problems in visual arts. The theoretical principles of the luminosity of artworks have been developed long ago, but the practical implementation of these principles require from the artist a very serious level of mastery. Tatiana Godovalnikova demonstrates fluency in the full range of light “palette”. The luminosity of these works, the accuracy and certainty of their tonal design is striking. 
•  In the world of painting, the night landscape, and especially a landscape with water, is one of the most difficult scenes. Not every museum collection can boast of a successful night composition. The reasons are quite obvious – the technical complexity of working with nature on night scenes, and at the same time, the complexity of working in a studio with no credible and successful natural etudes. The landscape “Lights of Balaclava” can be safely attributed to the works of museum-grade. The fascinating atmosphere of a brightly lit coastal town at night; the relaxed composition of the painting, executed in a free style of painting – all speak about the work of a master. Accidental luck in works of such complexity simply does not happen.
•  The artwork of Tatiana Godovalnikova, reserved in the scenic range, is focused on the multidisciplinary development of favorite themes and motifs, is deeply professional and at the same time, artistic. And most importantly – this work continues …  

© by Russian Art & Paris

Museums in Russia, Germany and Japan as well as private collectors in Israel, Poland, Great Britain, Germany and Switzerland have Godovalnikova’ s art.Her works are presented also at Sevastopol Art Museum and the State Museum of Heroic Defence and Liberation of Sevastopol. In 1992 she became a member of the Union of Artists of Russia and the International Association of Art (IAA/ AIAP) – UNESCO.

Tatiana Godovalnikova was born in the coastal city of Sevastopol in an artistic family with strong cultural traditions.From childhood Tatiana was surrounded by love to fine art, classical music and literature. At an early age she decided to become an artist inspired by the beauty of her parents’ artworks. Tatiana started to be interested in Russian Impressionism already from 15 years old. Her favourite Russian painter was and still is Konstantin Korovin.

Education

1. Sevastopol Art School. 
2. The Art College named of N.S. Samokish.
3. National Academy of Visual Arts and Architecture, Kiev,  Ukraine.

• 1994–1999 – artistic director at the Sevastopol Youth theatre by staging 7 performances.
• 1992–2019 – participation in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Crimea, Ukraine, Russia, Montenegro, Morocco, Norway, Italy, UK, Germany, Japan, France and Switzerland.

Group exhibitions

• 1986 – regional Crimea Youth exhibition in Simferopol.
• 1992 – exhibition of aspirants in the Regional Artists Union exhibition hall in Simferopol.
• 1992 – joint exhibition of Crimean artists in Gütersloh, Germany.
• 1994 – joint exhibition of Crimean artists in Vladivostok, Russia, and further in Japan.
• 1999 – at Mitetz Art Gallery in Kiev.
• 1999 – at Yaroslavna Art Gallery in Kiev.
• 2000 – at Pektoral Art Gallery in Kiev.
• 2008 – at Stoletije Art Gallery, Central House of Artist in Moscow.
• 2011 – participation in the international plein air, Montenegro, International Fund for Cultural Heritage.
• 2012 – Anniversary Exhibition of Laureates of the International Fund for Cultural Heritage, St. Petersburg.
• 2012, 2014 – art resident Galleri Froya og Sommerakademiet, Norway.
• 2013, 2016 – art resident Cite Des Arts, Paris, France.
• 2014 – art resident Castello Di Boca, Montenegro.

Solo exhibitions

• 1990 – in the exhibition hall of the Union of Artists of Ukraine, Sevastopol.
• 1996 – in the exhibition hall of the Business and Cultural Center, Sevastopol.
• 1996 – in Private Gallery in Zurich, Switzerland.
• 1999 – exhibition at Or Art Gallery in Kiev.
• 2007 – in Art Museum, Sevastopol.
• 2008 – at Antiqua, Art Gallery in St. Petersburg.
• 2009 – at the Crimean House of Artist in Simferopol.
• 2009 – in State Duma of the Russian Federation, Moscow
• 2010 – in Gostiny Dvor, International Oil and Gas Club, Moscow.
• 2010 – in Bogolyubov Art Library, Moscow.
• 2011 – in Catherine Palace, Moscow.
• 2011 – in House of Journalists, Moscow.
• 2016 – at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moscow.
• 2017 – at Headquarters of the UN, Days of Russian Culture, Geneva.
• 2019 – in the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.

Types of art

Portrait

Primarily working in still life and landscape, Godovalnikova enjoys doing portraiture and particularly painting children and women. And especially her love for the great painting of Camille Corot and other French Impressionists helped her to develop own style with a sensitive portrayal of the subject matter and depth of colors.

Tatiana also works in the genre of landscape, decorative art , animalists and mural.

Awards

• "Portrait of mother", Sevastopol Art Museum.
• "Sunflowers", Sevastopol Art Museum
• "My Sevastopol", Sevastopol Museum of Heroic Defense and Liberation.[4]
• Personalized Gold Medal named after Vasily Shukshin for contribution to Russian culture received in 2015.[8]