№2, Series “Old Watercolors”
A letter for his wife, Inga Ballod, from Goryachiy Klyuch. Date: the 23rd of August, 1975
“….Yesterday, i.e the day I arrived I was not planning to work, just wanted to get some sleep. But I could not sleep, and that is why I went out to find some places from which I could get something. The city is covered by gorgeous greens. Small houses are entwined with grapes. There are plenty of apples and plums. So I walked along the street and went down Psekups, the mountain river, which is no longer mountain river when it reaches Goryachiy Klyuch. Crossing the river I saw some motifs, found several places where I will be painting. Moreover, I could not wait any longer, so right after the dinner, at around 7 PM, I ran to that place to paint. In a thick dark area there was a house that had blue and lilac shades. The thickness of this place absorbs all the constructions and trees. This meets my understanding of sphere, and that’s why, even though, there are no many of spectacular places, I hope I will find some motifs.
At 8 PM the sun sunk below the mountains and magnificent but stuffy southern night fell. I was painting in watercolor on my favorite paper that was left from the old folder. When I brought it to the studio I did not find it to be a failure, yet there was something about it.
And today after the breakfast again rushed to that place. The lighting was different. It turned out to be a different painting. With a different quality. But it was also not bad…”
