Black Amaryllis Drawing

I was born in Kharkov, Ukraine and came to the United States when I was five years old. Due to political tensions in the country, my family came to Northeast Philadelphia to start a new life. I attended 13 different schools before graduating from Emmaus High School. At age 14, I enrolled full-time as an art student at Barnstone Studios. Studying and creating art with college students, my work stood out and landed me my first one-woman show. This would be the first one-person show in 30 years, and the very first one-person show of a woman. Shortly after, I graduated high school, being awarded the National Scholastic Silver Award. I attended college at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. For two years, I battled constant health problems, and then moved back to Philadelphia to attend the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA). Today, I have a studio in Philadelphia, continuing to expand my artwork. I enjoy telling stories of social commentary and the beauty of women through aesthetically pleasing and uplifting drawings. Since graduating, I have traveled all over the world, living in residencies in countries like India and China. I continue to share my passion of art in shows around the country and private showings in my studio.