European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 20, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sergej Kalinin bends to the a russian Artisan from a Village Northeast of Moscow task of creating a work of Art on a Small Box. The More elaborate pieces can take two weeks to Complete. The finished products whether a Box or jewelry usually depict scenes from russian fairy tales. This vivid image which includes real Gold paint is a papier Mich Wall hanging. 1.ac0i1er Pamis a uniquely russian Art form it can take weeks of painstaking labor to produce a simple Box by Gary Pomeroy staff writer russian artist Aleksey Golov sat hunched meticulously dabbing tiny specs of lacquer paint on a surface three inches Long and two inches wide. Taking shape on the surface was a scene from a russian fairy tale. In fact there was enough action portrayed on the tiny surface to fill a Large Canvas. What was especially unusual was the paint Brush a had less than a dozen bristles. Golov is a lacquer Box Painter an Artisan who produces incredibly vivid and detailed images on very Small surfaces. It is a skill he developed in five Tough years of formal schooling in his Home the Village of Pelekh 220 Miles Northeast of Moscow during a recent visit to an american Bazaar at the army s Terrace club in Frankfurt Germany Golov and another artist Sergej Kalinin displayed the talents that provide much of the Quot annual income for residents of Pelekh. The Laquer creations Are popular with americans and also Are sold m military exchanges. Quot the most difficult part of the Job is having an unpainted design and coming up with unique ideas Golov said through an interpreter. These Only from Russia creations come in a variety of forms from elaborate boxes to ornate jewelry to unusual Wall hangings in All cases there is one constant the time consuming and painstaking labor involved. The Basic product is cardboard which is turned into papier mache and folded into individual forms on special machines the papier mache is dipped into a linseed Oil and dried after a Basic layer of Black Lack i it is applied the artist s real work begins Fust comes the Basic design followed by seven to c layers of Clear lacquer to bring out the Shine of the we it depending upon size and complexity each piece take up to two weeks to Complete the Effort is . In the Price. A typical Box a four inches Long three inches wide and two inches deep Cost about $150. The Art of lacquer painting evolved after the russian revolution in 1917. Before the revolution artists in Pelekh were known for creating religious icons. But the icons were outlawed after the revolution and the artists began creating scenes based on russian fairy tales Rural russian life and russian Folk songs. The original icons were painted on Wood surfaces but As the Post revolution style developed different materials were tried including porcelain and smooth River pebbles. Papier mache became the medium of Choice because it is resistant to warping and cracking. Some Metal is used in making some of the necklaces pendants and rings. Golov said he comes from a Long line of lacquer painters including his father and Grandfather and has honed his skill since he graduated from the school 10 years ago. Kalinin 28, graduated in 1988, and was the first in his family to pursue the Art form. He said that even though it helps to have Quot famous relatives in your background Quot he  accepted after taking a qualification test. Before the wave of liberalization swept the soviet Liri Ion the 100 or so artisans in the Village factory each created about five pieces a month earning a Flat 200 cables. Now the salary is based on commissions and ranges for 1,000 to 1,500 rubles however that increase is Coset somewhat by the plummeting value of the Ruble in recent months the artists create As Many or As few pieces As they . Which suits Kalinin just Fine before i spent eight Reurs a Day at work whether i wanted to or not now my  time is  the artists now Are allowed to Purchase their own Avo rials so they can free Lance their products re iou Siy All materials belonged to the state it. It a Kalinin and Golov noted that a Friend served a Kalinin rubs powdered lava Rock onto a Box before applying final coat of Gold. Prison sentence for doing work on the Side International demand for the Laquer pieces is rising the men said. Their factory in Pelekh has signed a contract with a firm that will distribute the works in the United states although the men say they Are tempted to leave the factory to work on then own full Timo neither has immediate plans to do so the desire for Independence and More income has not overcome their sense of tradition for now Kalinin sad wort not m the a Dory s the thing to Dos amps photos by Jim Derheim Page 14 b the stars and stripes wednesday november 20, 1991 the stars and stripes b Page 15