My journey with jewellery began in 2008, after a workshop in Kyiv sparked my curiosity about working on a small, intimate scale. What started as experimentation soon grew into a deeper fascination with adornment as both object and cultural expression.
My interest truly ignited while curating a fashion show of traditional Ukrainian clothing. Immersing myself in the richness of these garments led me to closely study traditional Ukrainian multi-row jewellery — its structure, symbolism, rhythm, and presence. These pieces are more than decoration; they carry history, identity, and a strong visual language.
Since then, I have created hundreds of jewellery pieces, each one informed by that tradition while shaped through my own contemporary sensibility. Working at this scale allows for precision, repetition, and variation — a dialogue between heritage and personal expression.
Jewellery, for me, is another way of telling stories through form and material — wearable, tactile, and closely connected to the body.
My journey with oil painting began in year 7, when I was studying at the State Secondary Art School in Kyiv, Ukraine — a highly selective school that required passing three entrance exams in painting, drawing, and composition. It was there that we transitioned from watercolours and gouache to the timeless medium of oils. I’ve always loved this classical medium. Oils have a long and rich tradition in fine art, and I’ve admired their depth, luminosity, and the way colours blend so seamlessly on the canvas. Working with oils teaches patience and reflection — they dry slowly, giving time to build layers with care and intention. I feel incredibly fortunate to have received proper academic training in the classical use of oils, alongside in-depth knowledge of anatomy, linear perspective, perception principles, and art history. That foundation continues to shape how I see and create today, allowing me to appreciate not only the technique but also the discipline and history behind every brushstroke.
Before moving to Australia, I spent five formative years working at Edipresse Ukraine, an international publishing house. I began as a designer and illustrator and later took on the role of chief editor, alongside working as a photographer and illustrator. This period played a significant role in shaping my approach to clarity, storytelling, and creating strong, high-quality visual narratives. Between 2004 and 2009, I worked across a wide range of publications and roles: 2006–2009 — Chief Editor, Photographer, Designer & Illustrator, Fun Ideas (children’s craft magazine) 2006 — Designer & Illustrator, English Teen Club (English-learning magazine for teenagers) 2004–2008 — Illustrator, Horoscope (women’s magazine) 2005 — Designer, Marketing Department
