In the world of art, the “Outstanding Technique Award” is a special honor that recognizes painters with exceptional prowess in painting techniques. At the 7th NTD International Realistic Oil Painting Competition, an artist whose work depicted a woman in traditional Moroccan attire stood out for her exquisite portrayal of the intricate ethnic garment and the radiant glow reflected on the subject’s face. Artist Miriam Baranov’s painting earned her the prestigious “Outstanding Technique Award” at the competition.
“This is a significant milestone for me,” Baranov said. “I am very thankful for being invited to participate in this competition, especially after understanding the purpose of this event, I am even more convinced that it is a wonderful initiative.”
Baranov is a portrait painter and muralist. Initially trained in mathematics, she found it challenging to communicate with others after immigrating to the United States as a child, leading her to express herself through art gradually. “That’s why I fell in love with art creation,” she said.
The award-winning piece by Baranov is titled “Isa.” Through creating this artwork with model Isa, the two formed a bond of friendship which allowed Baranov to comprehend the connection between classical realistic works and human subjects.
“How can we return to the beauty of classical portraiture and the past, while also bridging to the future? One reason is that many classical works are drawn from life,” she explained. When you move the camera away from the interaction between people, sit next to them, engage in conversation, and paint based on their descriptions, everything changes.
“At that moment, the true essence of the subject emerges, and you can truly see their original self, not the masks people put on in front of a camera or in photos,” Baranov said. “So, I believe the essence of classical art lies in establishing a connection with people, in being able to depict them from life.”
Baranov believes that classical realism paintings possess a “unique sense of beauty.”
“Its concept is to capture what you feel and see in front of you and to capture the essence of the individual, which is not just about your skill and the pigments you choose,” she said. “It’s about immersing yourself in nature, feeling the spirit of what is in front of you, respecting the person, animal, or nature and the stories you see and feel.”
In other words, Baranov stated, “Its essence lies in rediscovering the beauty of humanity, truly respecting each individual, honoring their origins, culture, heritage, and background.”
Baranov mentioned she chose to stay in New York for a full week to fully participate in various activities organized by the competition host. She expressed that an artist’s career is challenging, particularly in a somewhat niche field like classical realism, making it rare to find like-minded friends.
“I love the mission of the competition, and the artworks here are truly breathtaking. Each piece is so unique, so different, although they are all realistic, they are all distinct,” Baranov said. “I feel very honored and truly excited. I know it’s not just about having my work displayed here, but what is more important to me is the connections I need to build.”