About Me
I'm an author and illustrator based in The Netherlands. Rooted in a love for art and inspired by diverse life & professional experiences, I create with curiosity and care, blending tradition, imagination, and daily discovery.
My Story
I’m a passionate artist who finds immense joy in exploring the realms of creativity and expression. My appreciation and love for art over the years have driven me to delve into its various forms and discover its profound impact on our lives. Professionally, I have a diverse background in the business world, having worked for the renowned multinational companies across the globe. Originally born in Moscow, Russia, my journey has taken me far and wide, living, studying, and working for over two decades in nine different countries across South-East Asia, the Middle East, Central and Eastern, Western Europe, and Latin America. These experiences have enriched my understanding of the world and allowed me to embrace the beauty of diverse perspectives. In spite of a fast-paced professional trajectory, my true passion has always been in the field of art, which I have pursued alongside my career through personal projects, continues learnings and exploration. Thus, in Geneva, Switzerland, I attended the art school of Gilbert Wolfisberg, learning drawing and painting techniques, as well as the main aesthetic principles that govern painting. Further in my business career, I worked in the art industry, heading one of the main auction houses in The Netherlands, where I was surrounded by unique antiquity and fine art. This prompted me to deepen my understanding and appreciation of art history and formalize my knowledge by the graduated Sotheby’s course in The History of Art curated by art historian and MoMA educator Georgia Krantz. I further learned and practiced techniques of realism oil painting following Mark Carder method. I followed specialized courses and masterclasses on digital illustration & design. I believe in today’s accessible world there are multiple ways to learn and advance your understanding and practice of painting, either traditional or digital. Through various online certified courses, I've acquired qualified skills in illustration, photography and various software applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Camera Raw, Procreate, to name just a few. Nevertheless, the most important drive to me is my inner passion for art and my daily dedication to continually discovering, expanding and improving my artistic skills.
Inspiration
My children are an endless source of inspiration for me. Our shared passion is to see and explore this beautiful world, from Antarctica to North Pole. They, too, are little globe trotters, having lived across various continents and cultures. My parental journey with them is a constant adventure of new discoveries and self-reinvention. Through them, I rediscover my deep passion for art and writing, which has been with me since I was a little girl myself.
Materials
I enjoy working and experimenting with different kinds of art medium combining photography with drawing materials. Oil paint is my favourite art medium for creating large scale works, but I also love to work with the digital illustration tools. Every painting or illustration I create is a unique exploration, as I strive to capture the right atmosphere and purpose in my art.
