My journey with oil painting began in year 7, when I was studying at the State Secondary Art School in Kyiv, Ukraine — a highly selective school that required passing three entrance exams in painting, drawing, and composition. It was there that we transitioned from watercolours and gouache to the timeless medium of oils.
I’ve always loved this classical medium. Oils have a long and rich tradition in fine art, and I’ve admired their depth, luminosity, and the way colours blend so seamlessly on the canvas. Working with oils teaches patience and reflection — they dry slowly, giving time to build layers with care and intention.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have received proper academic training in the classical use of oils, alongside in-depth knowledge of anatomy, linear perspective, perception principles, and art history. That foundation continues to shape how I see and create today, allowing me to appreciate not only the technique but also the discipline and history behind every brushstroke.
For me, as for many of my collectors, moving to Australia has been a blessed and life-changing experience. At the same time, it doesn’t erase the feeling of missing home. Memory travels with us — through seasons, colours, familiar landscapes, and small visual details that stay deeply rooted inside. Quite often, Ukrainian collectors commission artworks that reconnect them with home. These might be flowers remembered from a childhood garden, the softness of snow, the glow of golden autumn, or the unmistakable outlines of traditional Ukrainian architecture. These subjects carry emotional weight — they speak of belonging, memory, and personal history. I find great meaning in creating these works, because I share the same feelings. Painting nostalgic themes allows me to revisit places and atmospheres that shaped me, while offering others a visual connection to what they hold dear. The artwork becomes more than an image; it becomes a bridge between past and present, between where we come from and where we are now. Through these commissions, nostalgia turns into something tangible — a way to honour memory, identity, and the enduring connection to home, even when life unfolds far from it.
Textile & Clothing Decoration — Wearable Statements. Working with textiles and clothing gives me a sense of freedom that few other mediums offer. It opens up the possibility to create one-of-a-kind pieces — garments that carry individuality, intention, and personality. Through colour, pattern, and detail, clothing becomes a way to shape an individual style, highlight accents, and, just as importantly, draw attention away from areas you’d rather keep understated. Individually decorated clothes are statements. They speak about who you are — your boldness or softness, your playfulness or restraint, and what truly matters to you. A painted jacket, dress, or pair of jeans can express confidence, curiosity, or a quiet sense of joy without saying a word. I create textile and clothing designs using high-quality acrylic paints that are washable, durable, and resistant to sunlight, allowing the artwork to be worn and enjoyed over time. Decoration can also be practical: a favourite jacket with an unremovable stain can be transformed into something even more loved. Bring me your old dress, jacket, or jeans, and we can make it new again. One of my clients spent his entire working life in neutral, formal suits. After retiring, he discovered the pleasure of colour — and his decorated jeans became a joyful declaration: I am ready for all the colours of the world. If you’re looking for a statement piece in your wardrobe — or a creative way to reimagine something you already own — I’d love to help you create it.
