Vasili was born in 1952 in Chicago, Illinois and has drawn & painted his entire life. “As a first generation Greek American, my appreciation for classical form and design has distinguished my work in the art community. Imaginative realism, with a romantic twist, is how I can best describe my approach. I draw my inspiration from nature and I paint what I feel. My goal is to reveal the interior mysteries of the world, thereby engaging viewers.”
Pastel is his medium of choice, with techniques derived from a lifetime of working in various disciplines. His aesthetic may best be described as Classical, informed by all that the art world has developed since. Focusing on a single botanical, Vasili is able to capture nuances unseen by the human eye - but perceived by the human spirit. His plein aire paintings of southwest structures and old ruins, depict the effects of mans interaction with nature.
His formal exposure to art came in 1964 when invited as an honoree by the Chicago Youth Organization at Ox Bow & the School of the Art Institute of Chicago ...that single experience changed his life forever. Vasili also studied at the American Academy of Art under Irving Shapiro and Bill Parks. He has taught illustration and storyboard art at Chicago’s Columbia College. He currently teaches art classes and workshops at the New Mexico Art League, Albuquerque’s Botanic Gardens and The Albuquerque Art Museum. He critiques at UNM’s School of Architecture and is Signature member in both, the Pastel Society of New Mexico and the Pastel Society of America. He continues to lecture and conduct public demonstrations where he advances the art of pastel painting.
