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CIVILÓN

Real life Ferdinand the Bull

CIVILION

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I created a series of large-scale acrylic paintings to recount the tale of Civilón – a true-life bull that lived in Spain in the 1930s and inspired creation of famous flower smelling Ferdinand the Bull. The series holds a strong anti-war message but also unravels the intricate dance of destiny in life, particularly under the shadow of war’s devastation.

JOURNEY

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JOURNEY

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Years ago, amidst the vibrant cityscape of Abu Dhabi, I encountered a force of nature named Dolores Al Shelleh. Her energy and quick wit were captivating and we instantly connected. We’ve become very good friends since. Her spirit astounds me to this day for she embodies that rare breed of individuals who exude an electrifying presence, breaking free from the monotonous grip of everyday life. Many years after having met Dolores, at a life-changing moment that has brought me where I am today, her story will push me to take the plunge.

HEART

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For over 20 years, during the month of August,the Danube has been my summer home – a place where life feels simple and free. It all began decades ago, during my last year of secondary school, when a small group of friends and I found our place along the river, just across from Sremski Karlovci. Our little boat, worn and dependable, was our connection to civilization, ferrying us back and forth as we embraced the simplicity of life by the water. Our camp was located 1,243 kilometers from the place where the Danube meets the Black Sea—a distance that always made us feel like we were far from everything, yet deeply connected to something timeless.

Bullfighting Symbolism in Paintings: Civilón and Hemingway

Few subjects in art carry as much raw emotion and cultural weight as bullfighting symbolism in paintings. Ernest Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon immortalized the Spanish corrida in literature, while the series Civilon captures its visceral drama on

Exploring the Artistic Journey of “Casual Cruelty”: A Reflection on Art and Social Commentary

Art possesses a unique ability to evoke deep emotions, provoke thought, and spark conversations about society’s most pressing issues. Painting “Casual Cruelty,” from the “Civilón – The Bull Who Ate Flowers” series, serves as a powerful
Three collaborative paintings displayed on a rustic bamboo wall, showcasing the diversity of shared artistic expression.

The Power of Collaboration: Creating Friendship Through Art

“The magic of art collaboration lies in its ability to unite people – the power of collaboration to create long lasting friendship. In working together, we build connections, creating something far more meaningful than we could
Behind the canvas of Aleksandar Petkovic's artistic journey

Behind the Canvas: A Wife’s Story

“Behind the canvas of my husband’s artistic journey lies a story of passion, dedication, and transformation. Art is meant to speak to your soul. When you buy a piece of art from an artist, you’re not
Mountain Landscape Painting

The Impassable Borders of My World

Art starts somewhere, right? For me, mountains set the stage. While my transformative artistic journey started in the summer of 2020, the love of art and nature seemed to have always been there. Growing up in
A powerful image of Civilón, the real-life bull who inspired the beloved children's story character Ferdinand, standing in a bullring. The image depicts the majestic animal facing the crowd, conveying a sense of strength, resilience, and the anti-war message embedded in the "Civilón" painting series.

Civilón – The Bull who Loved to Eat Flowers

“Bullfighting is the only art in which the artist is in danger of death and in which the degree of brilliance in the performance is left to the fighter’s honor.” (E. Hemingway) The Artist’s Journey From

Love of Nature & Embracing its Resilience

Ever since childhood, my love for nature has remained an unwavering part of who I am. Unlike my childhood that was marked by the towering presence of the mountains, my teenage and student years revolved around

My Journey Begins – A Path Shaped by Choice or Chance

The life-changing moment that brought me where I am today occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. I had left Dubai and my construction business just before the pandemic broke and was taking a break in Serbia, planning
Dolores at Mt Everest

The ubreakable bond between people, art and nature

Years ago, amidst the vibrant cityscape of Abu Dhabi, I encountered a force of nature named Dolores Al Shelleh. Her energy and quick wit were captivating and we instantly connected. We’ve become very good friends since.

Summer Home on the Danube

A Life on the River For over two decades, August has been synonymous with the Danube and it has been my summer home – a time of simple pleasures and boundless freedom. This journey began decades
on this black and white image Hamingway writer with smile on face sitting on grass near bull and touching bull near horns

The Power of Research: Creating Paintings of the Bull Civilón

“The journey of artistic transformation began with a simple decision: to dedicate myself to the creation of art. This exploration led me to the story of Civilón, a bull whose fate became a poignant symbol of

The Artistic and Cultural Debate Surrounding Bullfighting

The debate about whether bullfighting is an art form or a brutal sport is complex and multifaceted. Several paintings from series of paintings “Civilion” portrays a delicate balance between a ballerina and a matador, blending grace

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Bullfighting Symbolism in Paintings: Civilón and Hemingway

Few subjects in art carry as much raw emotion and cultural weight as bullfighting symbolism in paintings. Ernest Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon immortalized the Spanish corrida in literature, while the series Civilon captures its visceral drama on canvas. This article explores the artist’s journey initially inspired by the Ferdinand story, culminating in the

Exploring the Artistic Journey of “Casual Cruelty”: A Reflection on Art and Social Commentary

Art possesses a unique ability to evoke deep emotions, provoke thought, and spark conversations about society’s most pressing issues. Painting “Casual Cruelty,” from the “Civilón – The Bull Who Ate Flowers” series, serves as a powerful example of this artistic potential. This piece reflects on the harsh realities faced by animals and
Three collaborative paintings displayed on a rustic bamboo wall, showcasing the diversity of shared artistic expression.

The Power of Collaboration: Creating Friendship Through Art

“The magic of art collaboration lies in its ability to unite people – the power of collaboration to create long lasting friendship. In working together, we build connections, creating something far more meaningful than we could alone. This shared creative process fosters mutual inspiration and leads to creative growth” Social Creativity: How

Bullfighting Symbolism in Paintings: Civilón and Hemingway

Few subjects in art carry as much raw emotion and cultural weight as bullfighting symbolism in paintings. Ernest Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon immortalized the Spanish corrida in literature, while the series Civilon captures its visceral drama on

Exploring the Artistic Journey of “Casual Cruelty”: A Reflection on Art and Social Commentary

Art possesses a unique ability to evoke deep emotions, provoke thought, and spark conversations about society’s most pressing issues. Painting “Casual Cruelty,” from the “Civilón – The Bull Who Ate Flowers” series, serves as a powerful
Three collaborative paintings displayed on a rustic bamboo wall, showcasing the diversity of shared artistic expression.

The Power of Collaboration: Creating Friendship Through Art

“The magic of art collaboration lies in its ability to unite people – the power of collaboration to create long lasting friendship. In working together, we build connections, creating something far more meaningful than we could
Behind the canvas of Aleksandar Petkovic's artistic journey

Behind the Canvas: A Wife’s Story

“Behind the canvas of my husband’s artistic journey lies a story of passion, dedication, and transformation. Art is meant to speak to your soul. When you buy a piece of art from an artist, you’re not
Mountain Landscape Painting

The Impassable Borders of My World

Art starts somewhere, right? For me, mountains set the stage. While my transformative artistic journey started in the summer of 2020, the love of art and nature seemed to have always been there. Growing up in
A powerful image of Civilón, the real-life bull who inspired the beloved children's story character Ferdinand, standing in a bullring. The image depicts the majestic animal facing the crowd, conveying a sense of strength, resilience, and the anti-war message embedded in the "Civilón" painting series.

Civilón – The Bull who Loved to Eat Flowers

“Bullfighting is the only art in which the artist is in danger of death and in which the degree of brilliance in the performance is left to the fighter’s honor.” (E. Hemingway) The Artist’s Journey From

Love of Nature & Embracing its Resilience

Ever since childhood, my love for nature has remained an unwavering part of who I am. Unlike my childhood that was marked by the towering presence of the mountains, my teenage and student years revolved around

My Journey Begins – A Path Shaped by Choice or Chance

The life-changing moment that brought me where I am today occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. I had left Dubai and my construction business just before the pandemic broke and was taking a break in Serbia, planning
Dolores at Mt Everest

The ubreakable bond between people, art and nature

Years ago, amidst the vibrant cityscape of Abu Dhabi, I encountered a force of nature named Dolores Al Shelleh. Her energy and quick wit were captivating and we instantly connected. We’ve become very good friends since.

Summer Home on the Danube

A Life on the River For over two decades, August has been synonymous with the Danube and it has been my summer home – a time of simple pleasures and boundless freedom. This journey began decades
on this black and white image Hamingway writer with smile on face sitting on grass near bull and touching bull near horns

The Power of Research: Creating Paintings of the Bull Civilón

“The journey of artistic transformation began with a simple decision: to dedicate myself to the creation of art. This exploration led me to the story of Civilón, a bull whose fate became a poignant symbol of

The Artistic and Cultural Debate Surrounding Bullfighting

The debate about whether bullfighting is an art form or a brutal sport is complex and multifaceted. Several paintings from series of paintings “Civilion” portrays a delicate balance between a ballerina and a matador, blending grace