"Native Soil, Unyielding Heart” Painting

From the time I picked up my first crayon I was an artist! Although my mediums and techniques have changed, my passion for creating remains the same. I attended Grekov Odesa Arts College  (Odesa, Ukraine 2011) on a full 5 year scholarship and was always at the top of my class. I graduated in 2011 with an Artist-Executive Painter Qualification. Before the war I enjoyed a busy 15 year long career in Odesa, creating many commissions for appreciative clients and my work is in collections all over Europe. The last 2 years have necessarily involved a lot of change and many new beginnings. I am now residing in Markham, ON, CDA. I love, love, love to create large full wall murals — I love to see the work unfold beneath my brushes and my mind pops with ideas for details to add and techniques to employ. I also enjoy the challenge of creating smaller pieces as well ~ the purpose drives the vehicle in these cases. My approach to my work depends on the intent of the painting — if it’s a commission, my priority is to bring to life my client’s vision. At these times my style tends toward realism with a dash of abstraction ~ kind of a personal Impressionism. But when my heart is in the lead, my imagination takes over! Sometimes my inspiration is something I’ve seen and appreciated and wish to explore … a flower, a street scene, an expressive face … at other times it’s a frame or a new tool or material that sets me off! At these times I choose to use whichever painting methods best lends itself to my vision or I allow what is emerging on my canvas drive my hand. My process is fluid and creativity is king.