Vangelis

Looking at Vangelis Andriotakis’ work for the first time, one might assume that photography is his medum. His floral paintings are so realistic in every detail that they appear to have been professionally shot with a telephoto lens.
Signing his paintings simply “Vangelis,” he calls this current series of works “Natural Exposure.” Capturing the surreal beauty of roses, orchids, poppies, water lilies, gardenias, zinnias and other specimens, Vangelis looks at flowers for their design and structure. Oversized and isolated on canvas, each flower majestically unfolds as a masterful work of art, brilliant with color. Using the flower as a metaphor for life and the human spirit, Vangelis captures its spiritual and symbolic significance.
“In the beginning, I was trying to convey energy and composition — to cast a different light on flowers and bring a new angle of vision to charm and surprise,” Vangelis says. “You can see flowers for a lifetime, but to truly realize their beauty, you must reveal their most intimate crevices, drink in the depth of their color and become seduced by their intoxicating scent and power.”
Although Vangelis planted the seed for “Natural Exposure” in 1995, his roots in painting go back to his native Greece. Born in 1953 on the island of Crete, Vangelis learned to paint with oils at an early age.
Initially, he painted scenes of Greece, primarily buildings and seascapes, which he sold to tourists. To advance his skills, he studied the old masters and developed his technique based on their tradition of quality and attention to detail. Soon, however, he was ready for another challenge.
In 1972, he moved to the United States, where he met his wife, Ioanna. She also provided the muse for his next artistic phase: a study of the female form. A familiar figure in her husband’s paintings, Ioanna symbolized Vangelis’ classic ideal of timeless beauty.
Another phase following this led Vangelis to the subject of dreams and one’s inner consciousness.
Today, it is his fascination with flowers that continues to inspire his “Natural Exposure” series. By focusing on their purpose — to captivate and to create — Vangelis elevates flowers from decoration to a lesson in life.
“From my very first studies, I realized that beauty in flowers is strictly pragmatic,” Vangelis says. “After all, we have borrowed the enticing power of flowers for our own seductions. Long before diamond rings or candlelight dinners, humans used the scent of flowers to woo true loves to courtship, marriage and, ultimately, reproduction. Perhaps the intelligence of flowers has been as underestimated as that of beautiful women.”
Speaking a universal language, Vangelis’ paintings grace the collections of the White House, the Kennedy Foundation, the Empress of Japan and the Queen of England. Locally, his paintings are among the permanent works on display at the International Orchid Society in Delray Beach.
New River Fine Art, located in Fort Lauderdale and Naples, Fla., represents Vangelis. This past January, both galleries hosted one-man shows of his work.
For more information, call New River Fine Art at 954/524-2100 or 239/435-4515. Or visit its website at www.newriverfineart.com.

	“Youth,” 37 x 55 inches
Looking at Vangelis Andriotakis’ work for the first time, one might assume that photography is his medum. His floral paintings are so realistic in every detail that they appear to have been professionally shot with a telephoto lens. Signing his paintings simply “Vangelis,” he calls this current series of works “Natural Exposure.” Capturing the surreal beauty of roses, orchids, poppies, water lilies, gardenias, zinnias and other specimens, Vangelis looks at flowers for their design and structure. Oversized and isolated on canvas, each flower majestically unfolds as a masterful work of art, brilliant with color. Using the flower as a metaphor for life and the human spirit, Vangelis captures its spiritual and symbolic significance. “In the beginning, I was trying to convey energy and composition — to cast a different light on flowers and bring a new angle of vision to charm and surprise,” Vangelis says. “You can see flowers for a lifetime, but to truly realize their beauty, you must reveal their most intimate crevices, drink in the depth of their color and become seduced by their intoxicating scent and power.” Although Vangelis planted the seed for “Natural Exposure” in 1995, his roots in painting go back to his native Greece. Born in 1953 on the island of Crete, Vangelis learned to paint with oils at an early age. Initially, he painted scenes of Greece, primarily buildings and seascapes, which he sold to tourists. To advance his skills, he studied the old masters and developed his technique based on their tradition of quality and attention to detail. Soon, however, he was ready for another challenge. In 1972, he moved to the United States, where he met his wife, Ioanna. She also provided the muse for his next artistic phase: a study of the female form. A familiar figure in her husband’s paintings, Ioanna symbolized Vangelis’ classic ideal of timeless beauty. Another phase following this led Vangelis to the subject of dreams and one’s inner consciousness. Today, it is his fascination with flowers that continues to inspire his “Natural Exposure” series. By focusing on their purpose — to captivate and to create — Vangelis elevates flowers from decoration to a lesson in life. “From my very first studies, I realized that beauty in flowers is strictly pragmatic,” Vangelis says. “After all, we have borrowed the enticing power of flowers for our own seductions. Long before diamond rings or candlelight dinners, humans used the scent of flowers to woo true loves to courtship, marriage and, ultimately, reproduction. Perhaps the intelligence of flowers has been as underestimated as that of beautiful women.” Speaking a universal language, Vangelis’ paintings grace the collections of the White House, the Kennedy Foundation, the Empress of Japan and the Queen of England. Locally, his paintings are among the permanent works on display at the International Orchid Society in Delray Beach. New River Fine Art, located in Fort Lauderdale and Naples, Fla., represents Vangelis. This past January, both galleries hosted one-man shows of his work. For more information, call New River Fine Art at 954/524-2100 or 239/435-4515. Or visit its website at www.newriverfineart.com.
	“Nymphea at Night,” 36 x 48 inches
	“Blue Umbrella,” 30 x 36 inches
	“Poppy Fields,” 24 x 24 inches
	Vangelis has earned international acclaim for his “Natural Exposure” series of floral paintings.