My name is Olena. I was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine. In 2024, my husband, our three children, and I moved to the United States because of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Before that, we spent two years living in Poland, waiting and hoping that the war would come to an end.

Art has been a part of my life since childhood. I had a natural talent for drawing and loved creating fashion illustrations. People were often surprised that, at such a young age, I could capture delicate shapes, intricate details, and accurate proportions.

At art school, I was fortunate to have a teacher who recognized my potential. She challenged me with additional assignments, encouraged me, and pushed me to grow. Later, when I decided which university and field I wanted to pursue, another teacher gave me extra lessons and assignments to help me prepare.

I have to admit that discipline has never come naturally to me. But I eventually earned a Master's degree in Art. Many people think that being an artist is mostly about inspiration and intuition. In reality, it also requires discipline, focus, perseverance, and, above all, a deep love for what you do.

God has placed three children and many wonderful mentors in my life. They have brought challenges, lessons, and responsibilities that continue to remind me that perhaps I did not simply choose art — art chose me.

Art as a Way to Serve

Volunteering has also been a significant part of my life.

While I was at university, volunteering often distracted me from my studies. I wasn't the most successful student because, instead of spending hours at the university, I was sometimes busy preparing gifts for children living in orphanages.

Eventually, I realized that I didn't have to choose between art and serving others. I could combine the two.

After graduating, I moved to the beautiful city of Lviv, Ukraine. I began visiting boarding schools and orphanages regularly. At one point, I even planned to adopt children. Instead, I found another way to serve them — through art.

I organized drawing classes for children and created murals in their bedrooms. My hope was not only to make their surroundings more beautiful, but also to give them a sense of comfort, warmth, and freedom.

At that time, I also wanted to bring as many people as possible together around the issue of orphanhood in Ukraine. I discovered that art could be an incredibly powerful tool for fundraising and raising awareness.

Of course, my main purpose in creating murals in orphanages and hospitals was always to make children feel safe, comfortable, and surrounded by beauty. But I have to admit — some of those drawings were far more beautiful than what I believed I was capable of creating.

I prayed a lot. I even argued with God.

For me, it was a struggle with fear. Devoting so much time to projects that helped others while not always having enough money to pay my own bills was frightening. But after several projects, something unexpected happened. I gained more clients and students. Journalists began asking me for interviews, and patrons invited me to meetings.

When my oldest daughter asks me whether I was a famous artist in Ukraine, like Bob Ross, I smile and say, "Not quite." But I did have my own art school, and I was fortunate to be interviewed many times and to meet people who believed in what I was doing.