My journey to combine my love of art and teaching began at an early age. Not without struggles, the lessons I learned helped me incorporate my passions into my work. I remember how, when I was seven years old, I was trying to decide between becoming an artist or a teacher; at the time the choice was too difficult, so I never answered my own question. Today, I combine my two passions and practice both.

At the age of ten I started art school, and almost from the very beginning I felt much too confined by the flat sheet of paper. I always needed volume and attempted to create three-dimensional images. It was not until university, after 13 years of art education, that I understood that volume, form, and texture are my three strongest motives. I am a sculptor!

When I moved to a metropolitan area for university, I ran into the typical problems of a broke college student. There was a time when I struggled to find somewhere to stay, so for a time I decoratively painted rooms at a daycare in exchange for being allowed to sleep there. It was not easy, but I persevered through the hardships and got a very good fine arts education.

A big pleasure for me as an artist was working at a ceramics company, where the conditions were perfect for a creator. When I only worked on the creation of new sculptures, developed ideas, and participated in exhibitions, I did not have to conduct sales or do any other administrative work! There I found everything: success, recognition, and a strong desire to work. But then we moved to the United States. I knew that I would have to start from a clean slate again, which would take me to another level.

As a sculptor, using my hands to create an object with contrasts, shifting balance points, and a sense of movement is what I love. I started making jewelry because in addition to volume and texture, I have the opportunity to play with materials and create more dynamic shapes with very subtle details.

Coming to a new country was difficult. I did not know the language and I felt disconnected and mute; but this made me really rethink my art. My past experiences give me the ability to add a very conceptual approach to jewelry creation, from idea to object. My aesthetic philosophy is anchored in real feelings and raw emotions. This helped me create my slogan "Feelings Carved into Metal," and such works as "Anatomy of Time" or "Seeds of Lust & Life" were born. For more of my work, click here.