​​​​​Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, I now reside in the US, in the state of Idaho. I moved to the US in 2008 and around the same time I rekindled my dormant passion for painting. I started with figure drawing, then figure painting, experimented between oil and acrylics until oils decidedly won my heart. For several years I switched from figure painting to landscapes to still life, until around 2014 I approached the subject matter of pet portraits through watercolor, and realised that this is my favorite genre. I still feel very drawn to figure and portrait painting, and do occasional landscapes, however, painting animals accounts for most of my creative output. I love what I do, and I hope it strikes a chord with you too!

​​​​​​​Every painting for me is a journey into a pet's soul. I've painted hundreds of animals, mostly cats, till date, and I haven't met two that are alike, in looks or in personality. While my spirit is exploring the pet's universe and getting to know his or her soul, my brain is hard at work putting the pieces of the painting puzzle together, brushstroke by brushstroke. In this way, painting is a form of meditation but also a very acute state of focus and intense problem-solving. I usually paint alla prima (wet on wet) and finish a painting within one day after a morning-to-evening painting session. It allows me to stay with my subject without interruptions and keep the painting surface alive and fresh.