Willowherb Painting

My name is Svetlana Shakirova. I was born in Sverdlovsk, one of well-known Russian cities (now it’s called Yekaterinburg), and currently I live there. I started to draw since early childhood. I did it everywhere I could – in my copy-books, drawing-books, on newspapers or sidewalks. I went to fine arts studio, school of art and music school. My childhood was quite busy. It so happened that after graduation from school I got economic education, and I had to say good-bye to drawing for a long-long time. I fully devoted myself to my newly-born daughter and her upbringing. Aside from that working and setting up business took most of my time. In 2013 I decided to close my business and finally started to do what I’ve always wanted to. I began to take online classes on right brain painting to gain more confidence in my skills. I mastered chalk pastel, acrylic and gradually added oil to that list. I continued to get more knowledge via online courses from famous modern Russian painters. I also looked into works and various information on such great painters as Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Caravaggio, Dürer, Bruegel, Titian, Shishkin, Rubens, etc. Step by step I started to learn more about old master painting techniques, and use it in my own works. My favorite techniques are realism and impressionism. Aside from that I make graphical works (pencil, pastel), use acryl, but above all I prefer working with oil. I made over 200 paintings. Most of them are in private collections in Russia and abroad now. Since 2018 I am a member of the Union of Russian Artists. In 2018 I took part in “Native shore” competition by the Union of Russian Artists. In 2019 I participate in “70 years of International Friendship” EXPO exhibition.