New cartoons on Ukraine by Talimonov

Russian / Ukrainian celebrated political cartoonist Alexey Talimonov sent me 20+ new illustrations.  Most are about the Ukraine war. A few cover global warming and the economy. None have captions, which you can suggest in comments on the album or below.

Talimonov's cartoons on Ukraine 2022 (March 1, 2017–April 20, 2022),
Album by Koozma J Tarasoff, April 21, 2022

My previous articles about Talimonov

• Russian Political Cartoons by Talimonov, 7 February 2015
• Cartoonist Alexey Talimonov, 19 February 2013

Business For Sale: Family Pastimes Co-operative Games

Retiring Doukhobor seeks new owner to continue his family business of crafting cooperative board games about peace, health and ecology

Jim and Ruth Deacove

‘It’s time to retire’, says Jim Deacove. ‘’We haven’t widely advertised that Ruth and I are stepping down after 50 years of the co-operative game business, but word is getting round and a variety of offers are coming our way. The Sales Prospectus summarizes our offer. Some folks just want the portfolio of Intellectual Property.

‘Some want to move the business to another city. Some want to buy everything: the 100 acre farm, our house, the business. In the meantime it is a joy to come to the shop every day, read and answer the mail, fill the orders, make some more games in small batches. Just like the meaningful hobby that was started long ago, a social mission disguised as a business. Maybe 'Small is Beautiful' after all. Could be a perfect fit for a retired couple for a meaningful hobby.’

For details download the Family Pastimes Sale Prospectus. (PDF)

Contact: Familypastimes.com — Phone: 613-267- 4819.

               Family Pastimes, RR 4, Station Main, 796 Brooke Valley Road,
               Perth, Ontario, Canada K7H 3C6

Perth is 83 kilometres (52 mi) southwest of Ottawa.

Sale Prospectus summary:

1. Registered trademark for next 12 years.
2. No debt.
3. Equipment — $222,000
4. Finished goods — $95,000.
5. Materials — $150,000.
6. Intellectual property of every game, the artwork for labels, game faces, card parts, available at 10% royalty to Jim Deacove, annually on Gross Revenue.
7. Books, like Co-operative Parlor Games (30 games, 36 pages)
8. Rental use of all buildings: main shop, woodwork cottage, storage cottage, two 53-foot trailers for storage.
9. Customer base from 50 years in business grew to $500,000 before the depression of 2008; since then, averaging $125,000 annually. Except during the Covid-19 period.
10. Affiliates in the USA, Australia, and Europe.

More

1. ‘Jim Passing the Family Pastimes Torch: an interview with Jim and Ruth Deacove’, The Humm (Arts, Entertainment & Ideas in the Ottawa Valley), October 19, 2021.
2. ‘Vaccine’ for a ‘Competitive Virus’, by Jim Deacove. Spirit Wrestlers, April 20, 2021.
3. ‘Cooperative games? Are you serious? A remarkable Canadian success story.’ By Jim Deacove, as retold to Koozma J. Tarasoff. In 150 Canadian Stories of Peace. An Anthology (2017), compiled by Gordon Breedyk, Mony Dojeiji, Koozma J. Tarasoff and Evelyn Voigt. Pages 265-266.
4. ‘Why I Wrote My Book on Spirit Wrestlers / Doukhobors?’, October 31, 2014. — Includes an illustrated feature on Jim Deacove.
5. ‘Film review: Krishnamurti’s Search for Truth.’ Film hosted by Jim Deacove, Cooperative Family Pastimes, Spirit Wrestlers website August 30, 2011.
6. ‘A Remarkable Evening With Cooperative Pioneers, Jim and Ruth Deacove’, Spirit Wrestlers January 22, 2011.
7. ‘Co-operative Games and the Inventor Jim Deacove’, August 6, 2008. — A full biography.
8. ‘Deacove farm (Perth, Ontario) Ploughshares board game.’ Hodge-Podge section of Spirit Wrestlers website July 23, 2006.
9. ‘Spirit of Co-operation in a Competitive Society’ (PDF), Spirit Wrestlers: Doukhobor Pioneers’ Strategies for Living, by Koozma J. Tarasoff (2002): pages 236-241.
10. ‘Spirit of Co-operation in a Competitive Society’ (PDF, 5.6 Mb), by Jim Deacove, in Spirit Wrestlers' Voices: Honouring Doukhobors on the Centenary of their migration to Canada, compiled and edited by Koozma J. Tarasoff (1999): pages 183-197.
11. Jim Deacove, Board Game Designer, Board Game Geek.
12. A Valley Gamemaker, by Mary Cooke, 2009, Seniors Young At Heart, Ever Learning.
13. Jim Deacove, Author, Titles, Amazon.com.
14. 5 Questions with Board Game Designer Jim Deacove, PuzzleNation, July 17, 2014.
15. Family Pastimes - Jim Deacove, The Games Journal, November 2000.
16. Does Your Family Play Cooperative Games? Cooperative Games Family Pastimes, by Melissa Taylor.
17. Meet Jim and Ruth Deacove in Canada, Facebook, February 3, 2012.
18. Buddy the frog goes to Family Pastimes cooperative games!, video by Juan Uribe, Sep 14, 2009.
19. Co-operative Games, podcast interview by Sandy Goldman, Each for All, September 11, 2018.
20. Hope, Peace and Play: An Interview With Jim Deacove of Family Pastimes, Fair Play Games.
21. Jim Deacove (Family Pastimes Cooperative Games), Friday Special Blend, with Chris White, CKCU FM 93.1 Radio, August 14, 2020.
22. Local Cooperative Game Company Goes Digital, The Humm, March 2015 (PDF, 22MB), page 8.

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Passing the Family Pastimes Torch: an interview with Jim and Ruth Deacove 

by Kris Riendeau, Editor & Publisher, The Humm, October 19, 2021.

When the world seems to be changing incredibly quickly, it’s good to know that some things are made to last. In the case of Family Pastimes, those things come in colourful boxes and contain imaginative and cooperative games! Owners Jim and Ruth Deacove have been running this delightful business in Brooke Valley for 50 years and are now well into their eighties. I have fond memories of playing such games as “Sleeping Grump” and “Max the Cat” with my own kids (who are now aged 27 and 30), so when I heard that the Deacoves were getting ready to sell this established business, I contacted them for more details. 

theHumm: Congratulations on 50 years in business! What first inspired you to create cooperative games, and how did you turn that passion into a business? 

When our girls first started playing games, they were always squabbling and first we questioned our parenting methods until we realized that the structure of the games caused the conflicts. After all, the point of the game was to beat each other. We looked around Ottawa game stores and couldn’t find any games that nurtured the family values we promoted, share toys, help one another, be kind to pets, find peaceful ways to settle problems, aso. Nada. So, necessity being the mother of invention, we started inventing them. Played our creations at birthday parties. Folks asked where they could buy them. Ergo, a cottage industry was born. 

Although the world has changed rather significantly over the past half-century, Family Pastimes has stayed true to the cooperative game model. What have been some of the biggest changes in your games and the way you market and sell them? 

With new equipment, we made our handcrafted versions look more professional. The basic rule of thumb for my designs has always remained, Play Together. That is, I don’t have people against people. What has evolved is that early on, I marketed the games as Everyone Wins or Everyone Loses. My thinking has evolved away from this rather competitive Win/Lose paradigm to How well did we all do? Now we measure the degree of success and there is no losing involved. Didn’t get all of our carrots harvested before winter arrived? How many did we get in? We started out selling at craft sales, then to retail stores, and now we sell on our website www.familypastimes.com 

Why do you think it’s still important to offer kids (of all ages) cooperative, hands-on games to play?

What skills are fostered by playing Family Pastimes games that perhaps aren’t addressed by electronic toys and video games? The list is long from conducive to better health and liking one another; teamwork, shared decision making, openness, trust and safety, self worth and personal power, less aggressive behaviour, emotional maturity…all the myths about competition are dispelled. Cultural conditioning trains us to confuse success with trying to beat others. All games require overcoming some obstacle, but nowhere is it written that the obstacle must be other people. 

I understand that you are hoping to sell the business to someone new who can run it for the next 50 years. What kind of abilities and expertise would make someone a good match for this business?

Having a kind heart is essential. Family Pastimes is very much a social mission disguised as a business. As the business grew internationally, took on a fair-sized work force, the help of local business experts were necessary. Currently, Covid has made us small again and, to be honest, while we have been big and whoever takes on Family Pastimes again may choose to go big, they may realize what we are feeling now and that is that small is beautiful. 

Ruth and I are keeping the business almost at the level it was when we began 50 years ago, as a meaningful hobby. Digital printing, cutting and assembling parts, gluing game boards and boxes and so on are easily learned. It is a little more complicated preparing invoices and labeling cartons, because this is done by internet these days, but that also is easily learned. There are two, if not more, ways the hand-over could take place. A young couple with the technical skills in place could take over. But, also I picture a recently retired couple who are looking for a meaningful hobby would also be a perfect fit. In any case, interested folks can contact me at info@familypastimes.com and I will send them a detailed Sales Prospectus.

————

Update:   As of July 2026, this business has not been sold. 

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Comments: Beginning in 2024, you can only self-enter a Comment below with a 'Google Account' (Gmail.com). This prevents irrelevant anonymous comments (spam and admail).  If you do not have a Google Account, email your Comment to KJTarasoff@gmail.com for posting.

4 gods-within us — continued in 2020

On Friday January 17, the 4 of us held another one of our adhoc coffee get-togethers at a local cafe in Ottawa, Ontario. We met for 1.5 hours.

We began by reviewing our domestic activities since we last met in the fall of 2019.

• Bill has been working on his Nonkilling Arts Newsletter for the Global Centre for Nonkilling in Hawaii.
• Mony has been occupied with storytelling items for her Mony Dojeiji Facebook page and Mony’s Blog.
• Alberto has been busy with his sketches and paintings into the inner spirit displayed on his blog: Alberto Agraso.
• Koozma is completing his first eBook: Spirit Wrestlers: Doukhobor Pioneers and Their Friends, and continuing to volunteer as a photojournalist for the local peace movement.

Oral Tradition

Our major discussion was the role that oral tradition and folk singing has played over the centuries as a conduit for people to share their inner messages with themselves and the world. This was especially useful for much of human development when most were illiterate. Oral tradition carried the message from one generation to the next.

We observed that folk singing, when done authentically, helps humans to breathe deeply from the bottom of their stomachs, providing more oxygen for our bodies to function. By doing this, it enhances our self-image and self-well being, thus affecting our personal health.

Intuitive Spanish artist Alberto suggested that deep breathing gives us access to the inner spirit and our connection with the divine. For him, this is the real genius of genuine folk singing which connects many generations through time, giving us the feeling of depth and eternity resembling the divine.

Bill shared the following, summarized:

I was impressed by an interview of author Karen Armstrong with Michael Valpy in January 11, 2020 Globe and Mail (she is the author of The Lost Art of Scripture) where as a comparative religion scholar she states that she found that all world religions have one thing in common — a spiritual dimension where human is seen as an image of the Divine.

Karen says: ‘The origins of the divine were presented as performances. They were sung, recited, acted out. They were intended to transport the audience into a transcendental spiritual dimension.’ At another place she explains that ‘until the 18th century most people listened to the scriptures. It sung or performed. Because most people couldn't read and before the invention of printing it was impossible to own a copy of the Bible. So you listened to your scripture and it was sung .…’ (Karen Armstrong explores the purpose of sacred texts in The Lost Art of Scripture, The Globe and Mail, January 7, 2020.)

That reminded me of two such sources: Flamenco dancing and singing from Spain and the Sindhi Sufi and Bhagat traditional singing and dancing from the Indus Valley, the Sindh province of Pakistan. The lyrics in those songs and the style of singing reflect yearning and longing by lover (seeker) and the beloved (divine) coming right from deep within, from one's spiritual heart. Those traditions have continued for centuries in those two cultures. Examples:

• Flamenco, Flamenco — 2011 film trailer.
• Sindh Rag Rano — ancient Rano sung by two Fakirs.

Koozma spoke about the oral tradition of the Doukhobors. He gave a contemporary example in Canada of a Doukhobor singer Ron Kalmakoff from Saskatchewan who moved to British Columbia and after many years following the passing of his grandmother, returned to visit her graveside and the community where she grew up. He then composed a beautiful nostalgic, emotional ode to his grandmother.

Russia

Koozma mentioned Vladimir Putin’s Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly, January 15, and proposed changes to the Russian Constitution. He said it was a 'game changer' showing the President as a world statesman and Russia as an evolving nation for the better.

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Previous 3 reports: 4 gods-within us — 2013, 2014, 2019

Gubanov, Russian Doukhobor Artist Dies

Губанов Владимир Петрович (1951-2018)

Vladimir (‘Volodia’) Petrovich Gubanov will long be remembered as an talented Russian Doukhobor sculptor and artist. He died December 17, 2018 at his home in the town of Nebug, Tuapsinsky district, Krasnodar krai, on the Black Sea, 130 km. (80 mi.) north of Sochi. He was 67 years old.

Gubanov: in USSR c. 1970, Canada 1995, and Georgia 2014.

Canadian Doukhobors met him in 1995 during his 4-month expedition across Canada. He produced nearly 40 portrait sketches of Doukhobors, many of which were published in Spirit Wrestlers: Doukhobor Pioneers’ Strategies for Living (2002).

In an August 1995 interview, Volodia said:

I believe the Doukhobor movement has a future. As a Doukhobor I believe that people must preserve planet earth. If people are quiet about wars, then there is no future for our civilization. (Spirit Wrestlers ..., page 223).

Vladimir was invited to Canada to commemorate the 1995 Centennial of the 1895 arms burning by Doukhobors in Russia. He came with sketches of Russian Doukhobors, several oil paintings, and a huge mural: "The Doukhobors' Destruction of Weapons", oil on canvas, 100 x 200 cm. The mural was promoted on this poster-calendar 'Spirit of '95'.

Click here to enlarge poster.

Vladimir Gubanov was born in the Doukhobor village of Orlovka (map by Johnathan Kalmakoff), Bogdanovskoy district, Georgian S.S.R. — near the site of the 1895 arms burning. His father herded cattle on the kolhoz (collective farm), but later in the 1970s left for Nalchik, in northern Caucasus. The Gubanovs resided across the entire former Soviet Union and Vladimir’s grandfather was exiled to a Koylma gulag labor camp in Siberia for 10 years because he owned 11 cows instead of the allotted one per family and was charged under Stalin with the crime of being a kulak.

In 1974 Vladimir left home to study art in Rostov-on-Don, Moscow and the Far East. In 1989 he completed studies at the Stroganov Moscow State Academy of Arts and Industry. He eventually landed a job at the large health-spa hotel resort "Molniya Yamal" in Nebug, where he continued to paint, do interior design and sculptures on commission.

He soon acquired a plot of land less than a kilometer uphill from the resort to build his own art studio and home. Slowly it became a modern three-story motel apartment designed in the shape of a ship (from above), with studio (muzei-masterskaya) and gallery (kartinnaya galereya) where he made and displayed his art. In 1993 he dedicated part of the gallery as a Doukhobor Cultural Centre to promote the world-wide Doukhobor movement, where he hoped to host international conferences. The Gallery was incorporated in 2006.

For the Doukhobors, Vladimir had planned a renaissance in the development of culture with a balance between individual and social needs. He said: ‘If we lose our culture and our social charter, we will lose our soul.’ In his studies, he discovered that the first Doukhobors were not vegetarians, they were not against dancing and song, and bowing to the ground was not essential. He urged Canadian Doukhobors to embrace the use of all the creative resources to attract youth to their social movement. Vladimir Gubanov was indeed a renaissance man with deep respect for culture and the future of humanity.

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More

1. ‘A Russian Artist’s Odyssey to Preserve the Future’. In Koozma J. Tarasoff, Spirit Wrestlers: Doukhobor Pioneers’ Strategies for Living (2002), pages 223-225.
2. Koozma J. Tarasoff. ‘The Events that Shook the World in 1895’. In Ahimsa Nonviolence, Vol. II, No 3, May-June 2006: 244-246.
3. ‘Tolstoy & Doukhobors — 42 image CD’. Spirit Wrestlers Blog, Sept. 8, 2011.
4. Владимир Губанов (Vladimir Gubanov), Odnoklasniki, last updated 31 May 2014. — Similar to U.S.A. Facebook.
5. ‘International Doukhobor Meeting-Exhibit. Proposal to Build Bridges between East and West'. November 11, 2016.
6. Koozma J. Tarasoff and Andrei Conovaloff. Images — paintings and drawings depicting the event (see image 6) in ‘Historic 1895 Burning of Guns: descriptions, selections and translations’. See image 6. Updated May 21, 2018.
7. ‘Leo Tolstoy and the Doukhobors: Conscientious Objection’. Gandhi Information Centre, 2019.
8. ‘Visual Arts and Nonkilling. A mural commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Arms Burning in Russia.’ #3 in 'Nonkilling Arts Research Committee Letter: Vol. 3, N. 1 (January - February 2019)'.

Suggestions for 'World Beyond War' Conference in Toronto Sept. 21 - 22, 2018

The forthcoming peace conference in Toronto, Canada in September 2018 appears like the ultimate in world peace conferences. Its organizer is David Swanson, founder and Director of World BEYOND War.

The confirmed speakers are impressive, including retired Canadian anthropologist Dr. Saul Arbess, who is currently the Director of the Canadian Peace Initiative (formerly known as the Canadian Dept. of Peace Initiative) that I have been associated with since its birth in 2006.

The conference shows much promise, and these additions would make it more effective.

The Doukhobors should be included under 'War Abolishers' (right column). In 1895, 7,000 Russian pacifists in Russia burned their guns — a public declaration to the world that violence and wars are wrong and that non killing is the way of the future. As a Doukhobor, I have been taught that it is wrong to kill another human being because there is a spark of god/love/beauty in each of us, and war is a crime.

At least three speakers from important organizations should be included in the Speaker's List:

• Prof. Johan Galtung, Transcend Media Service, a peace journalist for over 65 years. He is founder of Transcend International and rector of Transcend Peace University.
• A representative for The Center for Global Nonkilling founded in 2007 by the late Dr. Glenn D. Paige in Hawaii. Its goal: 'to promote change toward the measurable goal of a killing-free world'.
• Sharon Tennison of The Center For Citizen Initiatives, California, builds bridges of peace through citizen diplomacy between Russia and the USA.

World BEYOND War is a global network of volunteers, activists, and allied organizations advocating for the abolition of the very institution of war. Its success is described as being driven by a people-powered movement. Support their work for a culture of peace. World BEYOND War PO Box 1484 Charlottesville, VA 22902 USA

Q56: Help For Struggling Artist?

Doukhobor Artist in U.S. Wants to Study in Canada

From: Michael J. Koftinow, Manteca California

.. I am an artist born and raised in California but whose origins are Doukhobor. My family moved from Russia, to Canada to Manteca, CA and settled there in the early 20th century.

I am interested in the history of the Doukhobors (especially their philosophies on life) and would like to personally learn more about it all.

My artwork relates to the Doukhobor ideals (and I've been doing this for years without even knowing it, I guess the spirit thrives in me) but I was wondering if there are any outlets for a poor artist like myself to visit Canada and learn more about my cultural heritage while making artwork about the Doukhobors philosophies on life, government, and the spirit in us all (like artist residencies/ research grants/ways to get to Canada and learn more about the group).

I know its somewhat of an open ended question, but I am fascinated by the culture and would like to learn more about them. Although the Internet is good for reading about the Doukhobors, I haven't found much in grants or artist residencies for our illustrious culture. If you have any thoughts, I would love to find out.

Update May 24: My motivation for creating art is to investigate the accountability and legitimacy of global policy barons. Therefore, my art objects are about society and sustainability. I combine a variety of media such as: drawing, painting, print, sculpture and installation to create imagery that have a topical narrative to it. The imagery chosen and the way the works are presented is a discussion on contemporary life and current affairs. Topics such as water, environment, economy, waste and abuses of power fluctuate with a cast of characters that range from popes and presidents to peasants and paupers.


Too Big to Fail

In the past, my imagery has focused on challenging authority, corruption, hypocrisy and the big bank rollers who finance it all. However, lately, I am increasingly interested in exploring specific sides of these issues. In concepts that are more focused on the, who, what, when, why and how we can fix it. Nonetheless, my ultimate aspiration is to offer imagery that creates a dialogue with the viewer without jeopardizing personal or artistic integrity.

My work can be considered satirical, topical or political but I think of it as cultural commentary. It is looking at leaders and society with an inquisitive point of view. It is the way I understand the world and I illustrate it with a pop-journalistic point of view.

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Answer

Michael Koftinow's request is genuine. In my experience, most aspiring artists in North America have difficulties in making a living in a free market environment which tends to favour profitability over serious creativity. I applaud Mike's intent to learn more about the philosophy, culture, and inner spirit of the Doukhobor Movement.

There are a number of Doukhobor artists (professional and striving) who are scattered mostly in Western Canada. Perhaps they or their friends can provide a place to stay for this California artist as he further explores his roots and 'the illustrious culture' as he stated. You may respond to him by contacting me at kjtarasoff@gmail.com.

Another opportunity is to attend the 66th Annual Doukhobor Youth Festival at the Brilliant Cultural Centre, Castlegar, British Columbia, May 18-20, 2013. The sponsoring group (the Union of Youth, USCC) will no doubt invite visitors on stage to say a few words of greetings. Here, then, is an opportunity for Michael Koftinow to make his intent known.

Michael is a graduate with distinction from Sonoma State University with BA's in Painting, Art History, and Art Studio. His Senior Honors Thesis was on 'Jacques-Louis David in Exile'. While working as an educator and art instructor at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in San Rosa, California, Michael was known for his skills in learning new concepts quickly and thinking outside the box. He has also worked as an assistant creative director of a nonprofit group Artstart, helping children to achieve their artistic goals.

Homework

1. Read Koozma J. Tarasoff's Spirit Wrestlers: Doukhobor Pioneers' Strategies for Living (2002). Find articles about many Doukhobor artists.
2. Write to the editor of Iskra, 1876 Brilliant Rd, Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada V1N 4K2, email at info@iskra.ca, Phone: (250) 365-3613 ext 27 or (250) 442-8252. Iskra needs helpers.
3. Many articles are online on my website Spirit-Wrestlers.com, and links and stories at Jon Kalmakoff's website Doukhobor.org, like The Manteca Russian Colony. Also search for the names of the few Doukhobor artists I named above. Check Larry Ewashen's website for other stories on the Movement.

More: Questions and Answers, Comments

Cartoonist Alexey Talimonov

In September 1991, I met Alexei Talimonov, an international renowned cartoonist and illustrator. He was in Canada heading a delegation of six men associated with the Museum-estate of Leo Tolstoy "Yasnaya Polyana."

We travelled to Durham, Ontario for a special meeting with the Tolstoy Society of Canada (dissolved in 1994). On September 21, I interpreted for a CBC documentary about the delegation and their view of 'the future of farming' for the program Andrienne Clarkson Presents. In Ottawa we met with the Art Director of the National Gallery of Canada.

I met him again in the fall of 1992, when I traveled to Tula, Russia, where Alexei was director of the publishing and printing company Lev Tolstoy. Alexei reprinted the 1900 edition of Vladimir Tchertkoff's Christian Martyrdom in Russia: Persecution of the Doukhobors (Google Book, Archive.org) The new Preface was written by myself and Larry A. Ewashen and published as a Spirit Wrestlers Associates publication (1993).

Alexei, his wife Nila, and two daughters (Lubov and Nina) migrated to England in 1994 and establish careers. Daughter Lyubov Talimonova (1971-2011) was an exceptionally talented painter, writer and illustrator of children's books. One of her paintings, 'Space. Aries Constellation', was taken onto the space station MIR, bearing the stamp of the station's astronaut's signatures on the back.

Ukrainian-born Alexei Talimonov is a successful and award-winning cartoonist and illustrator. He is a member of The Cartoonists’ Club of Great Britain and the FECO. Alexey has exhibited his works worldwide. His cartoons have been published in newspapers and magazines since 1978. Five books of his cartoons were published in Russia, Ukraine and UK. Also Alexey has illustrated several books.

The meat grinder

More then 5,000 of his drawings have been published in various newspapers and magazines in the UK, Russia, Ukraine, USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, Iran, China and other countries. Among the British periodicals are The Lancet, New Statesman, The Oldie, The Spectator, Prospect, Ethical Consumer Magazine, Writers’ Forum, Music Teacher and others.

In Russia Talimonov’s cartoons have been published in Izvestiia, Pravda, Trud, Literaturnaia Gazeta, Krokodil, Zdorov’e, Argumenty i Fakty and others. 

Alexei Talimonov regularly participates in international exhibitions and contests. He is well known for his support of artists in Russia and other countries of the CIS. In 1994 he was awarded the International Goncharov Award as "The Patron of Arts".



See more of Alexey Talimonov's extensive collection of cartoons at

• Talimonov.gallery.ru   (OFFLINE)
• Toonpool.com
• Anekdot.ru
• YouTube.com
• Caricatura.ru     (OFFLINE)
• VK.com/atalim (autobiography in Russian)

Update 2014: Talimonovs in Tula video

Talimonovs are featured in a Tula repatriation promotional video: Путь домой. Тульская область (The Way Home. Tula oblast. Russian, 26 min. Jul. 30, 2014).

Video frame from daughter's memorial exhibit, Moscow, 17 Dec. 2013.

The video explanations the process for ex-patriot Russians to move to Tula. Examples of 2 families: Talimonovs (from UK, Great Britain) and Dvornikovs (from Kazakhstan). Interview with Aleksey's Nila (min. 3 to 7:40). Meet their grand kids, a friend, see their new home and one next door under construction for their daughter. Meet the Dvornikovs. Back to Talimonovs (min 10:32 to 12:20) at late daughter Liubov's memorial gallery show at the Moscow N.K Roerich museum (Музей имени "Н.К. Рерихa"). (Gallery album) How Tula will reimburses travel expenses for people wishing to relocate. A Narrated tour of historical buildings, life in Tula, museums and the Tula samovar and pryaniki (gingerbread).

Tour the Lev Tolstoy Estate-museum grounds (min 20:06 to 21:00) named "Yasnaya Polyana." Meet Galina Alekseeva, Head of the Research Department, who also collaborated with the Doukhobor Discovery Centre, Castlegar, BC. View a dairy farm, modern factory, medical clinic, and job placement office. Wage and job opportunities explained, and cost of living and housing averages shown. Happy Talimonovs shown at end (min 24:58 to 25:19).

Video of art by Lyubov Talimonova: "Светлая Берегиня" ("Light Keeper", YouTube). 

Update, April 10, 2016: A new Cultural Center Gallery was opened in the village of Freedom in Shchekino district Tula region, Russia, June 4, 2016 in honour of Lyubov. 
Update, May 2026: See her memorial Gallery on her Vkontakte account administered by her father, which links to her extensive memorial website: talimonova-lyubov.com.

Updates

• 2022 April — 22 cartoons about Ukraine war 
• 2019 — Recent cartoons (OFFLINE)
• 2017 April 21 — END WAR — ‘Canada Should Get Out of NATO’
• 2016 July 31 — Russophobia and the Olympics
• 2015 February 9 — Russian Political Cartoons by Talimonov, album (OFFLINE)
• 2015 February 7 — Russian Political Cartoons by Talimonov, translated article, illustrated
• More than 2000 Talimonov cartoons at CartoonStock.com

Artist Donates Paintings for Peace

Visual artist, teacher and counsellor Jennifer 'Lightwolf' Jones of Manotick, Ontario, donated these two paintings to the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative to be sold by Silent Auction in Ottawa by February 28, 2013.

The paintings were created as group Spiritpaintings during the 2011 and 2012 Annual Ottawa Peace Festivals. Eight workshop participants followed a kind of Rorschach inkblot method in which 'the painter lets go of the outcome while being in a meditative state and focuses on a Prayer of Intention for Healing'. The result is an unfolding mystery or a new adventure.


Jennifer Jones, visual artist and healer

For an elaboration of instruction, workshops and exhibitions, see Jones website Spiritpainting.com, especially the Podcast of her interview.

I met the artist at her Spiritpainting Show and Sale held in The Green Door Restaurant, Ottawa, on February 4th, 2013. Here I also met Bosnian filmmaker Vinko Totic who presented an 8-minute film on YouTube showing a demonstration of Jennifer Jones at work. See photos I took of the event.

In watching the YouTube, listening to the Podcast, speaking to the artist and viewing the exhibition, I was intrigued by the Spiritpainting technique in art and healing. Using paper or canvas and water-based paint such as acrylic, Jennifer Jones seeks the inner guide or energy spirit of the unconscious (in her case, it is the wolf, a symbol of power and teacher of enlightenment). Then she holds on to her Intention (prayer or request), as she relaxes and lets this mysterious process manifest itself while she places paint on paper, folds and refolds as needed.

'It's about letting go of your control, your thoughts, your ego, and allowing the Spirit to give you guidance,' she said. The emergent image, usually in bright colours, gives you mysterious beauty and even serves a healing function.

'I'm very glad to help the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative,' she said as she responded to Bill Bhaneja (co-chair of the Ottawa Branch CDPI) who publicly thanked Jennifer Jones for her generous gesture. 'I guess it will become an annual event,' said Jennifer.

Jennifer Jones works regularly 40 hours a week as a professional in a treatment centre in Ottawa. But from her home she has also helped heal clients across the country and even in Australia, for example, by speaking to them by phone. After getting proper rapport, she was able to pick up appropriate vibrations which she then used in producing a healing type of painting which she would sent to her clients. That's clairvoyance in action, as I see it.