Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvetka.
Yvetka, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My path to becoming an artist was not a straight one. I was born in Estonia to Ukrainian and Russian parents and immigrated to Montreal with my family when I was five years old. Since then, I have lived in the Netherlands, Los Angeles, and Shanghai. Experiencing different cultures has given me a broader perspective on people, communication, and the many ways we connect with one another.
Creativity has always been part of who I am. As a child, I was constantly drawing, painting, and creating with my hands. However, I set art aside for many years while pursuing a career in education. I earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education and spent 17 years working in education before returning to what had always been my first love.
Around the age of 30, I made the decision to fully embrace my artistic practice. I am entirely self taught, and today I create contemporary textured abstract paintings using modelling paste and acrylic paint on wood panels.
Connection is the thread that runs through everything I create. My work explores connection in its many forms, between myself and the artwork, between myself and the viewer, between the viewer and the piece, between people experiencing the work together, and between each individual and their own inner world. I hope my work creates moments of pause, reflection, and meaningful conversation. To me, art is not only something to be seen. It is something to be experienced. This is the reason I create.
Over the years, my work has found homes in private collections as well as restaurants, hotels, and other public spaces. Looking back, every chapter of my journey has shaped my work. My background in education taught me the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning, while living in different parts of the world reinforced my belief that, regardless of culture or language, people are all searching for connection. That belief continues to guide every piece I create.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped the artist I am today. One of the biggest challenges was giving myself permission to fully pursue art after spending 17 years building a career in education. Leaving behind a more traditional and predictable path to embrace something as uncertain as an artistic career required courage, patience, and trust in myself.
As a self-taught artist, I have had to learn every aspect of building a creative business, from developing my artistic voice to navigating marketing, sales, collaborations, and the business side of being an artist. There is no clear roadmap, and much of the journey has involved experimenting, learning, and adapting along the way.
Another challenge has been learning to value my work and understand that art is not only about creating something beautiful, but also about creating something meaningful. Over time, I have learned to trust my vision and stay connected to the reason I create.
Looking back, the difficult moments have been some of the most important ones because they pushed me to grow. They taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of staying true to my purpose. Every challenge has brought me closer to creating work that feels authentic and deeply connected to who I am.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is centered around creating meaningful, highly personalized abstract paintings that are deeply connected to the people and spaces they are created for.
With custom commissions, I begin by understanding the vision, story, values, and atmosphere of the person or place the artwork will inhabit. The thoughts and emotions behind the space become part of the creative process, allowing me to create a piece that feels intentional, personal, and unique. Each artwork carries symbolism and layers of meaning that invite reflection and conversation.
While texture is at the heart of my practice, I am not limited to one specific style. I am fascinated by how texture transforms a surface and how it changes with light, movement, and perspective. My work can range from minimal and monochromatic to earthy, colourful, energetic, or complex. The common thread is always the tactile quality and the emotional experience created through texture.
I am most proud of creating artwork that feels like it truly belongs in the space where it lives. Rather than creating pieces that simply decorate a room, I create works that reflect the identity of a person, a family, or a place. This thoughtful and collaborative approach is what makes each piece unique.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I am excited to continue creating large-scale custom works and expanding the reach of my art into more spaces around the world. I have always been drawn to large pieces because they allow for a more immersive experience and create a stronger presence within a space.
One of my goals is to move into a larger studio that will allow me to continue exploring scale, texture, and new creative possibilities. I want to create more opportunities for collaboration with designers, architects, businesses, and individuals who value meaningful artwork and thoughtful spaces.
I am also looking forward to continuing to build connections globally and bringing my work into new environments and communities. Ultimately, I hope to keep creating pieces that are not only visually impactful, but that hold meaning and create experiences for the people who encounter them.
Pricing:
- Custom pricing is available depending on the size, scope, and vision of each unique project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yvetkaart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yvetka.art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yvetka.art/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvetka/
