Abstract & Contemporary Paintings by Retne - Abstract Artist. Abstract & Contemporary Paintings by Retne - Abstract Artist.

Hi, I'm Arvydas, self-taught artist (Retne – artistic name), professional performing artist (magician, Illusionist), and a maker by nature.

As a performing artist of Magic Theater "DiArchy", I created numerous international shows, concerts, and TV programs since 1991. Together with my sister Diana, I popularized magic art for several decades.

I live in the beautiful town of Druskininkai. It's a small, quiet, cozy, beautiful, one of the modern resort towns in Lithuania.
During 1896–1910, famous Lithuanian composer and painter Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis lived and worked in this city.
In 2014, for the upcoming 140th anniversary of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis' and the 240-year-old opening of the Druskininkai holiday season, I and my sister Diana, at the request of the local government, created a large-scale multimedia performance – a magic laser 3D show on the lake. Over 22 thousand spectators gathered to see it.
You can watch the video fragments of this performance on:
https://youtu.be/eeCU2iRbmfo

In 2016 I set up an Instagram account @retne_ to showcase my current work because the best part of creating art is sharing it with others. The number of positive responses and requests to purchase my works both surprised and delighted me, but most of all inspired (and still inspires) me to create more and better work.

I am inspired by many famous artists, most of modern and contemporary art. I'm interested in their works, biographies, philosophy, and techniques.
In Pinterest, I create boards on which I collect their works: Retne_
Most of all I'm impressed with the works of Willem de Kooning and Robert Rauschenberg.

Abstract expressionism is one of my strongest influences.
Abstract expressionism post–World War II art movement attracts me the most and, as it seems to me, I understand and perceive it most of all from all other styles and movements.

Early I interested in the artists of the New York School and I was most attracted to the works and biography of Willem de Kooning. I wanted to know more about other artists. For example, I didn't know anything about Agnes Martin, Ad Reinhardt, and Yayoi Kusama. Therefore this was the reason for me studying the course "In the Studio: Postwar Abstract Painting" by The Museum of Modern Art. I've successfully completed it and get the certificate:
https://goo.gl/CbY3Sh

Thank you for interest in my creativity.
Retne /Arvydas Gaiciunas/