From a Young Dreamer to a Passionate Artist
I was born in Poltava, Ukraine, on April 22, 1969. From the moment I could hold a pencil, I was drawn to the world of art. At just 2 years old, I found myself captivated by colors, shapes, and the magic of creation. By 11, I was accepted into the Poltava Children's Fine Arts School-a selective institution in the former Soviet Union. That's when I realized that art would be more than just a passion-it would become my life.
The Path to Mastery
At 15, my journey continued when I was accepted into Myrgorod Ceramics College. This wasn't just any school-it was a place that combined high school with the rigors of junior college. Here, I immersed myself in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and composition, and I graduated with honors in 1988. Out of 30 students, I was one of only 3 to earn that distinction.
The Prestigious Lviv National Academy of Arts
In 1989, I took a leap of faith and applied to the renowned Lviv State Institute of Fine and Applied Art, one of only three elite art institutes in the former Soviet Union. Only 8% of applicants were accepted, and I was fortunate enough to make the cut. After passing five intense exams—painting, drawing, composition, world history, and a Ukrainian language essay—I scored a perfect 13 out of 13. This was a defining moment in my journey, one that solidified my path as an artist.
Mastering the Craft
At Lviv National Academy of Arts, I was trained in a wide range of artistic disciplines. I honed my skills in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and composition, learning both realistic and stylized approaches to each. The rigorous Soviet art system required an equal focus on all of these subjects, making me a versatile and well-rounded artist. However, painting quickly became my true passion, and it's where I found my voice.
A Global Presence
By the age of 21, my work began to attract attention. My paintings were displayed in galleries across the globe, from Moscow to Warsaw, Toronto, Detroit, Cincinnati, Madison, WI, Poltava, and Lviv. These early exhibitions were just the beginning of a long and exciting journey that continues to unfold today.
A New Beginning in Chicago
After completing my B.F.A. at Lviv National Academy of Arts in 1992, I made a bold decision to immigrate to the United States. Settling in Chicago marked the start of an exciting new chapter. That very year, my work was accepted into the Carol Jones Gallery and the Art Windows Gallery in Chicago's vibrant River North area—an incredible opportunity that pushed me to the next level.
Academic Growth and Recognition
In 1995, I enrolled in Columbia College's M.A.T. Interdisciplinary Art program. It was an incredible experience, and I was honored to receive several prestigious awards during my time there. I earned a $6,800 Dwight Follett full-year fellowship for my art portfolio, a $500 Albert Weisman Memorial Scholarship Award for my sculptures, and a $200 Columbia College Presidential Award for one of my paintings. My commitment to my craft continued to shine through, as I also won a $500 First Place award at the Columbia College "Women in the Arts" competition for another of my paintings.
Teaching, Mentoring, and Inspiring the Next Generation
Upon graduating from Columbia College in 1997, I began my career as a fine arts teacher at Clemente High School in Chicago. While I continued to showcase my work in galleries across the city, my focus shifted to nurturing the creative potential of my students. In 1998, I pursued further academic growth with a second M.A. program at Columbia College, graduating in 1999.
The Golden Apple Award
The work I put into teaching paid off in 2004 when I was honored with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching-one of only 10 Chicagoland teachers to receive this accolade. As part of the award, I was granted one free semester at Northwestern University, where I had the privilege of studying independently under the guidance of the renowned Ed Paschke.
International Recognition and the Global Stage
By 2006, my artistic journey had taken me to new heights. In August of that year, I was selected as one of the ten winners of the Chelsea Global Showcase at the Amsterdam Whitney Gallery in Chelsea, NY. Later that year, I also participated in an international group show at Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery in Chelsea, NY—a moment that solidified my presence on the global art scene. In 2023, my artwork Sad Angel won the semi-finalist award at the ARTBOX Project 2 in Basel, Switzerland.Â
Full-Time Artist
In June 2007, after years of teaching and creating, I made the bold leap to become a full-time artist. This was the moment I had been working toward, and it allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my passion. Since then, my art has taken me on a journey of constant growth, exploration, and expression. And this is just the beginning. Let’s connect! If you’re interested in my work or would like to collaborate, feel free to reach out.