The figurative paintings of Sacramento-based artist John Tarahteeff may be classically rendered, but their innate mystery is what captures the attention. Youthful characters suspended in an enigmatic moment or in curious relational contrast to each other emit a surreal quality. Through a mastery of luxuriously rich color and composition, there always appears to be much more to the story.

Tarahteeff graduated from UC Davis with a BS in Landscape Architecture (1994); a minor in Studio Art is his only formal training. Primarily self-taught, Tarahteeff has developed a unique style through emulation and imagination.

Born and raised in the South Bay cities of San Jose and Mountain View, the artist has made his home in East Sacramento for the past 25 years. He says that it was in a high school

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