ByBus Summer 2014

BOTIS THALASSINOS,
Painter, artist of portraits of personalities
It was a great honor for us to be hosted at the house of Mr. Thalassinos, a distinguished painter with
multidimensional artistic personality and to show us around the three – floor gallery with his personal
paintings and tell us stories of a lifetime.
The Cretan artist was born and raised in Heraklion. His talent was recognized at a very early age as at
the age of 10 he was awarded by the Hellenic Ministry of Education for the portrait of Kolokotronis,
who painted in the classroom of his school. That was the reason, as a teenager to start taking classes
in hagiography, pottery and painting.
His motivation force and first admirer was his mother, the famous fashion designer in Heraklion, and
as Mr. thalassinos characteristically mentions «My mother gave me strength, courage and encouraged
me to deal with painting unlike my father who was negative, insisting that I would be ridiculed if I do
this for a living and encouraged me to become a secretary or something else anyway.» He dote to his
mother is obvious to everyone who visits his house noticing the special place of her portrait and the
admiration of talking about her.
He served in the Navy because of his great love for the sea also which appears in his paintings. Then
he tried to work in a state service for a few months but quickly he realized that «I am not made for
employee”, he resigned and created his first atelier where he painted icons.
His talent was discovered very quickly and he was invited to Brazil where he continued his studies
and worked there. It was the beginning of an illustrious career that took place in Brazil, New York
and throughout Europe. He worked with the greatest painters of that period while at the same time
met important personalities who supported his work, as Dali and Onassis. He dealt with painting and
scenography art, hagiography and sculpture. He honored our country abroad with many distinctions,
and his highly commendable work with countless exhibitions all over the world. Also he had an Art
School and a gallery in Athens acclaimed with great response.
He is unique in the style of pastel, with a special love for portraits, through them that indicates and
highlights the habits and style of each model. Nowadays more than 250 objects of d’art of great value
and quality are his personal collection.
Last years he consciously decided to return to Heraklion where he continues his work and as he points
out «Crete is always in my heart. It is a source of inspiration for me.»
His perpetual desire that will become a reality soon, is the gallery that is made in honor of him in
Tylisos and it will host 40 of his objects of d’art annually. Being excited he expects the opening on
August while he does not stop for standing up for the creation of a School of Fine Arts in Crete to
showcase new artists.
The visit to him was a lesson for a lifetime and we thank him a lot!
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