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.
Over the past months, I’ve been honoured to be selected as a finalist in several exhibitions across Australia. Being part of the evolving art mosaic in Sydney and beyond is something I truly value. In October, my work was shown at Gallery 11:11, followed by Bridges to Belonging in Adelaide in November — an exhibition that explored connection, identity, and shared stories. December brought another exciting milestone: I was delighted to be a finalist in the 40 by 40 Exhibition at Newcastle Art Space 🎉 This exhibition celebrates over forty years of a vibrant creative community and showcases artworks measuring 40 × 40 cm — a reminder that great art can come in small packages. The exhibition ran in early December 2025. Also in December, I was selected to participate in The Summer Prize Exhibition at Northern Beaches Gallery, an exhibition absolutely worth visiting with many outstanding works on display. Among them was my painting Jingymia mallee — Eucalyptus synandra, shown in late December. Another memorable moment from this period was seeing one of my artworks sold at auction directly from the concert stage — a powerful reminder of how art can live and breathe beyond gallery walls. Currently, my work Nocturne for Large-Fruited Mallee is on display at:
True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow, in collaboration with CBD Gallery, presented a fundraising exhibition in the heart of Sydney titled A Love Letter to the Ocean. Created by five artists of Ukrainian heritage, the exhibition was dedicated to the water element and to a shared love of the ocean. Working across different styles and mediums — from ancient techniques and classicism to impressionism, divisionism, and fine art photography — the artists invited viewers to dive into blue, touched gently with yellow. We extend our sincere gratitude to Xiaoxiao Zhang for her invaluable support in providing CBD Gallery as the venue for this fundraiser, and for her continued support of Ukraine. The exhibition was held at CBD Gallery, Sydney, from 6–19 October 2023
