Would you like to know why I paint with oil paints?
Where does this profound need originate?
My love for oil painting goes back to my childhood (my dad's acquaintance was an artist). I enjoyed those rare occasions when we visited his workshop. The smell of paints and turpentine was almost magical, as if I had stepped into an ecstatic fairy tale.
That distinct aroma, a mix of linseed oil and turpentine, made me feel like some secret alchemy was happening every time I picked up a brush.
I transitioned from fashion to art.
This excitement only grew stronger during my university years, especially while working as a fashion designer in different cities across the former Soviet Union.
In fashion, you typically sketch with a pencil or felt-tip pen, but I was always drawn to experimenting with new shapes and ideas. Working in fashion taught me to see the play of colours and forms in unexpected ways—lessons I carry with me in every painting I create today. I try to cherish this association.
Starting over and holding on.
Years elapsed as I relocated to Canada, embarking on a fresh start and dedicating my energies to my family and children. For a long time, there just wasn’t enough time or space for painting.
However, that intense need to paint never subsided. It led to what I call my third—and most significant—rebirth, a transformation that’s still unfolding and shaping who I am.
A Need That Won’t Let Go.
That burning need has turned into an endless drive to paint portraits, figures, landscapes, and especially still lifes—my absolute favourite.
Healing, One Brushstroke at a Time.
What really pushes me to the canvas is the need to ease my inner pain—the kind we all face, with the ups and downs life throws at us.
Sometimes you look at the sky with a simple question: "Why, my Lord, do you send all of this to me?"
Painting doesn't just make me smile; it brings me immense joy. It's my way of letting my inner world breathe and sharing my emotions with anyone who looks at my work. I'm still amazed by how influential art can be—how it can carry beauty, hope, and comfort to anyone willing to see it.
Let’s Stay Connected.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. My art brings you as much joy, comfort, and inspiration as it does to me when I create it.
Let’s keep this heart-to-heart conversation going. 🎨💛
ElenaG.
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