As an art educator
I build strong foundations that fit each student, so they can express who they are with confidence.
MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Patient practice and a solid foundation are what make an artist free, and I plan every drawing and painting lesson around that. My Russian art training gave me my technique, and my training in the "Education for Life" system taught me to tune into every student's needs and strengths, so I can guide them toward their own goals. I want my students to enjoy the work and to leave with a style that is their own.
WHAT MAKES ME UNIQUE
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Award-winning gallery artist (multiple artist of the year awards, solo gallery exhibitions, featured in magazines and on TV
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Fluent in techniques like Alla Prima, Flemish-Dutch, and Gongbi, not just one.
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Work with various mediums like oil, acrylic, watercolor, graphite, charcoal, and clay.
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16 years in product and web graphic design at big corporations, demonstrating professional integrity and a knack for breaking down complex ideas into simple, clear workflows. (product design portfolio)
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Calm, supportive presence in the classroom, shaped by 15 years of meditation and yoga practice
WHAT I LOVE TEACHING
Drawing Fundamentals
Line weight, contour, proportion, perspective, tonal value, form, and stroke.
Medium: graphite, charcoal, chalk.
Painting Fundamentals
Color mixing theory: how to manipulate light, shadow, and pigment to create stunning visual effects that transcend the boundaries of traditional art.
Medium: Oil, acrylic, watercolor
Figure & Portrait Drawing
Gesture sketches, proportion, face & figure structure, tonal value, edge control, likeness. Medium: Charcoal, graphite, chalk.
Portraits
Painting shape-oriented portraits in oil, using a photograph as a reference. Canvas preparation, face proportions, shading, light, and laying expressive brushstrokes.
Medium: Oil, acrylic
My work
PAINTING
Oil - Acrylic - Watercolor
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DRAWING
Grahite pencil, Charcoul
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ILLUSTRATION
Watercolor
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About
I am an artist and art educator dedicated to helping students discover their unique creative voices. My artistic journey began in childhood in Russia, where I started formal training in middle school and eventually earned my Master of Fine Arts (MFA). Since moving to the United States in 2007, I have actively exhibited my work nationwide. Some of my proudest moments include winning Artist of the Year (1st place) from the Los Gatos Art Association, holding a solo exhibition at the Saratoga Art Gallery, and being featured in Art Business News magazine.
While my roots are in classical Old Masters oil techniques, I love working across many media, including fluid watercolors and acrylics. For 16 years, I also worked as a product and web designer in the high-tech industry. This design career taught me the power of patience, iteration, and how to reframe mistakes as valuable data points on the way to a great solution.
For the past 15 years, my art has been deeply influenced by my personal mindfulness, yoga, and meditation practices. Today, I combine my technical background with this calm, encouraging energy to teach high schoolers and adults. My mission is to pass on the skills, persistence, and pure joy that art has given me, creating a peaceful space where you can connect with your own creativity and celebrate beauty.