Today we’d like to introduce you to Yvette Grishina.
Yvette, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Estonia to Ukrainian parents. I then lived in the Netherlands before immigrating to Montreal at the age of 5. My parents came here as refugees after the fall of the USSR to offer me a better life. They affectionately call me Yvetka, as it is a softer way of saying my name in Ukrainian. Hence, my artist name is Yvetka. My parents always encouraged me to focus on education and have a career job, which came true! I was an English Second Language teacher for a few years and now I work as a Lead Project Coordinator at the Department of Education at a university.
When I felt comfortable enough with my job, I decided to make art my hobby again. I hadn’t practiced this skill since high school, so I wasn’t sure what medium to use. I had seen videos of epoxy resin art, which really blew me away. It was a medium I had never used before. Being my usual adventurous self, I decided to try it. It has now been almost four years that I work with epoxy resin and love it! I found my own style where I also incorporate modeling paste for texture.
My day job is still at the university and I create art during my free time. However, I would LOVE to create art full-time one day! I’m quite happy with the artistic progress I’ve made so far as I keep receiving custom requests. One of those requests was two art pieces measuring 5×16 feet for an Italian restaurant in Ontario! Cheers to many more!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a pretty smooth gravel road if that makes sense. A gravel road because it has only been 4 years that I create art, so the road is still fresh. The little rocks are the learning steps I’m still going through. But I’m learning fast, real fast. So sometimes the little rocks fly left and right, and sometimes I get a few in the face! Some of the creative techniques and marketing strategies I use work and some of those don’t work. When I encounter a roadblock or something that didn’t work, I might get stuck in my mind trying to figure out what went wrong. What helps me move forward is to stop thinking what went wrong and to try something else, or try it in a new way. And so, the gravel road is smooth enough to keep going forward!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in creating abstract art pieces that look like paintings. I mix acrylic paint with epoxy resin and pour the mixture onto wood panels. Moreover, I’ve been using modeling paste as well to add texture to a piece. It creates such an interesting effect! When resin dries it’s glossy, which gives quite an elegant and sleek look to a piece.
I draw inspiration from the world and our existence. All this beauty that I observe and experience I just want to absorb, internalize, transform, and share it with others. I believe that each little aspect of our existence is complete and enjoyable on its own. And it’s with art that I want to convey this. These philosophical thoughts are abstract and can be interpreted differently, hence the reason I create abstract art. I truly enjoy understanding and discussing different perspectives of what people see in my creations.
I’m very proud of my progress in 4 years. I believe that my calling, or reason of being, is definitely to create art. What’s helping me succeed is the ability to connect with people through real moments and feelings. We all have a story to tell, we’ve all experienced a plethora of situations. All we need to do to listen, not hear, but listen. And then appreciate and discuss! I like to discuss unique stories with people while gazing at one of my pieces.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Artistically, there are no particular resources I use. I enjoy browsing through pictures on Pinterest and Instagram for ideas. I also watch videos on YouTube and Instagram to see what other artists are creating.
To better myself as a person in general, I do listen to podcasts (mainly Joe Rogan), listen to audiobooks and read books on self-improvement, and openly discuss matters of life with my entourage.
I think it’s super important to keep improving as a person. We are all lifelong learners! (That’s the teacher in me talking)
Contact Info:
- Email: a.yvetka@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.yvetkaart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yvetka.art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yvetka.art/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.ca/YvetkaArt/
