Svitlana Sotnikova

I am a multidisciplinary visual artist from Donetsk, Ukraine, currently based in Ireland, where I have been living and working for the past four years. My practice spans painting, photography, graphic design, and 3D visualization.

My artistic journey began with formal training in a studio affiliated with the National Union of Artists of Ukraine in Kyiv, where I studied for three years. Since 2015, I have been continuously developing my practice, with painting becoming a central and deeply personal form of expression.

Working primarily in oil, I am inspired by the emotional power of light, atmosphere, and texture. A defining element of my technique is painting with my fingers—my main and most intuitive tool—which allows me to create soft transitions, fluid movement, and a natural, organic quality. I complement this approach with brushes to introduce texture and refined details, often using expressive, impasto strokes.

My background in photography, design, and 3D visualization informs my artistic vision, bringing a strong sense of composition, depth, and visual storytelling to each piece. Through my work, I aim to create immersive, tactile experiences that invite the viewer to pause, feel, and connect.

I am a multidisciplinary visual artist with a diverse academic and professional background that shapes a refined understanding of composition, color, and visual storytelling.

I hold a complete higher education from Donetsk State Management University, where I studied at the Faculty of Law and Social Management, qualifying as a sociologist. This foundation has deeply influenced my perception of human emotion, narrative, and the psychological dimension within visual art.

My artistic education includes formal training in oil painting at the Art Studio of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, where I developed classical skills in composition, color harmony, and painterly technique. In parallel, I completed professional training in photography and computer layout, achieving a certified qualification as a photographer and layout operator.

Expanding my practice into contemporary visual fields, I studied interior 3D visualization (3ds Max 2018), earning certification from an Autodesk® Authorized Training Center. I further enhanced my expertise by completing a course in artificial intelligence in advertising visualization at Space School.

This combination of classical art education and modern digital training allows me to approach e...

Exhibitions & Collections

2026
Heritage Centre, Ardara, Ireland

2025
Heritage Centre, Ardara, Ireland
Art Auction, Nancy's Bar, Ardara, Ireland
Christmas Exhibition & Sale, Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, Ireland

2024
Heritage Centre, Ardara, Ireland
Art Auction, Nancy's Bar, Ardara, Ireland
Christmas Exhibition & Sale, Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, Ireland

2023
Art Auction, Nancy's Bar, Ardara, Ireland
Christmas Exhibition & Sale, Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny, Ireland


2016
Group Exhibition, House of Artists, Kyiv, Ukraine

2015
Group Exhibition, House of Artists, Kyiv, Ukraine