Portrait study I Painting

Hi, my name is Anastasia. I am a Russian-born, Toronto-based artist. My family has instilled a love for travel, education, and the natural world in me, while paints and crafts have always been my passion. To this day, Create, Explore, Love are the key values behind my work. I first moved all by myself when I was 17, from the other side of the world to the evergreen Vancouver, BC, to study civil engineering (as a first step towards another creative endeavour - architecture). Following various ventures and discoveries along the way, here I am now: continuing to learn about myself and the world around, while fulfilling my childhood dream of becoming a professional artist. My work is usually described as magic realism; vibrant, dreamlike, emotional, telling stories with a focus on the characters. Having worked in construction management and advertising, healthcare and eventually full-time art, I have been inspired by many wonderful people, and strive to bring an equally strong work ethic and skillset to my creative career. Whether I am painting in the studio, creating a mural, or working digitally, I invite the viewer to connect with their inner self, and to celebrate the beauty and mystery of life.