Yesterday Painting

Lena Ratz was born in Leningrad (Saint Petersburg), Russia, and began to attend formal art classes when she was 12. At the age of 19, Lena was accepted to the Saint Petersburg State Art and Industry Academy, where she studied classical art and industrial art design for five years. In 1990, Lena moved to Israel and lived in Ein Hod, an artists' village, participating in many exhibitions and selling over 100 canvasses painted from nature in an impressionist style. In 1993, Lena became a member of the Israeli Artists' Association. Later, she commenced a career as a graphic designer, gaining experience in advertising and newspaper publishing. Lena taught painting and sculpting classes between 1990 and 1996. In 1996, Lena immigrated to Canada. She continues to paint, using nature as her inspiration. The region of Bruce Peninsula in Ontario is the focus of her most recent work, utilizing acrylic and collage methods, and featuring bright colour schemes. Today, her paintings are featured in various private collections across Israel, Monte-Carlo, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and Canada. She has been commissioned to produce works for private homes and outdoor spaces. Lena uses her education, the knowledge she has gained from living and working with fascinating artists throughout the years, her vast imagination, her personal life experiences, and nature to create distinguishable artwork.