George Pocheptsov
| George Pocheptsov | |
|---|---|
 Pocheptsov at the University of North Carolina Wilmington Ann Flack Boseman Gallery (2009) | |
| Born |
George Oleg Pocheptsov VII January 29, 1992 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Autodidact |
| Known for | Modern Art, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture |
| Notable work | "Magic Garden", "Primavera", “Endless Universe”, “Stage Beauties”, “Temple of Life”, “Mimi’s World”, "Floatilla", "Surfers", "Wishing Well" |
| Movement | Surrealism, Magic Realism |
| Website | http://georgepocheptsov.com/ |
George Oleg Pocheptsov VII (born January 29, 1992) is an American painter, draughtsman and entrepreneur.[1]
Life and career
Early life
George Pocheptsov, who is sometimes also referred to as "Georgie", was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1992 to Ukrainian parents.[1] When Pocheptsov was eleven months old, his father was diagnosed with brain cancer; and he died in 1995, at the age of forty.[1] Though he was a toddler, his mother gave him a pencil and some paper to keep him busy. At seventeen months old, he drew a replica of an antique car parked across the street.[2] At a young age, Pocheptsov was drawing jesters, pregnant women, and four-headed giraffes, all in bright color schemes. He started to paint six months before he started to talk.[2] Pocheptsov attended Wrightsville Beach Elementary School in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Abstract and impressionistic period (ages 6-15)
Pocheptsov is completely self-taught in the arts. Pocheptsov is often compared by the press to a young Pablo Picasso or Marc Chagall, particularly for his vivid color palette and early rise to fame. His paintings can sell upward of $200,000.[3]
Three-dimensional canvas and impressionism (ages 16-present)
Starting around the age of 16, George started to focus more on three-dimensional canvas and impressionistic art. The 3D canvas is effectively making a sculpture on canvas. George creates this effect by taking a regular piece of stretched canvas and putting layers of unstretched canvas over it, and then sculpts figures on that layer. At that point, he paints the figures with multiple layers of gesso (a primer), and once they dry, he paints the details onto the sculpture. For more detailed aspects of the sculpture, such as nose, eyelashes, fingers, etc., on a figure, he uses modeling paste. In the end, each figure in the piece has three sides, each painted, making a truly three-dimensional impressionistic piece of art.[4]
Collections and acquisitions
In recent years, Pocheptsov has been commissioned to create paintings for Colin Powell, Hillary Clinton, Celine Dion, Alain Ducasse, Michael Jordan, among other famous collectors.[5] He was commissioned to create "sculptured canvas," a self-defined technique, for the Mitchell Camera Museum in London and for the United Nations' 60th anniversary exhibition.[6]
Pocheptsov was also invited to Geneva, Switzerland for a book titled The Arts and Copyright in which he was featured as an artistic figure.[7]
Internationally, Pocheptsov has been featured in museums and galleries in England, France, Korea, South Africa, the Netherlands, Russia, Japan, and the Ukraine.[8]
Appearance in popular culture
The media and prominent art collectors refer to Pocheptsov as a child prodigy, especially in the earlier part of his life.[6] Pocheptsov art career appears in magazines and newspapers such as The New York Times, Time, People, Parents, The Washingtonian, US Art, Art and Antiques, Art News, Architectural Digest, Southern Living, Spirit of the Carolinas, among other publications. He has also has made appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show,[9] Good Morning America, The John Walsh Show, The Today Show, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, The Later Today Show, and Nickelodeon. [9]
A documentary film detailing Pocheptsov’s life titled, A Brush with Destiny, won four Emmy Awards. [10] [11]
Philanthropy and charitable work
The George Pocheptsov Foundation
Pocheptsov has used his art career to fund charitable contributions to several charities. In many cases, Pocheptsov donates artwork to a charitable organization, and this artwork is subsequently auctioned at a gala or fundraiser to benefit the charity. To date, Pocheptsov’s charitable foundation has donated over $8 million through the auctioning of his artwork.[10] [12] Just a few examples of the many charities supported, include the America’s Promise Alliance by Colin Powell, Georgetown University Pediatrics, Duke University Pediatrics, Adam Walsh Child Resource Center, Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization, and many others.[13] Overall, he supports between thirty and sixty charities each year.[14] As another means to support a cause, in 2004, Pocheptsov was commissioned to create an official United States postage stamp for the Brain Tumor Awareness Organization.[15] [16]
Personal life
Pocheptsov speaks fluent Russian, Ukrainian, French, and English. He is also proficient in Latin.[8]
Education
George is currently a student at Harvard University and is planning to graduate in the class of 2014.[6]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 "Young Master: An interview with George Pocheptsov". express.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
- 1 2 "Artist - George Pocheptsov – Picasso – Art Prodigy – Painter". kidzworld.com. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
- ↑ "George Pocheptsov - Biography, vital info and auction records for George Pocheptsov". askart.com. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
- ↑ "Wilmington teen painter has been creating art since he was 3 years old". starnewsonline.com. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
- ↑ "BARACK & TED - The Scene Bisnow - Washington". bisnow.com. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
- 1 2 3 "Lumina News - Wrightsville's Newspaper Since May 2002". luminanews.com. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Publications for Schools: The Arts and Copyright". wipo.int. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
- 1 2 "George Pocheptsov - World Renowned Artist". uncw.edu. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
- 1 2 , "The Oprah Winfrey Show - Amazing Kids (Original Air Date February 12, 2007)". imdb.com. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
- 1 2 "IMDB - Biography for George Pocheptsov". nl.newimdb.com. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
- ↑ "The art of an Issac Bear Prodigy - The Seahawk - Lifestyles". theseahawk.org. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
- ↑ "Artistic Love - Feb14,2005.pdf - Powered by Google Docs" (PDF). docs.google.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ↑ "Charlotte Observer". nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ↑ "The Virginian-Pilot Archives". nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ↑ "The Minds in Motion Arts Auction/Gala featuring George Pocheptsov" (PDF). braintumorawareness.org. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ↑ "George". braintumorawareness.org. Retrieved May 31, 2011.