About the Artist
Hi, my dear friends!
Thank you for stopping by my website! My name is Galina, I’m 30 years old, and I currently live in Ukraine. Since childhood, my love for drawing has guided me step by step toward my big dream of becoming an icon painter. My choice of path has been greatly influenced by the family I grew up in; my father is a priest, and I take great pride in that. From a young age, my soul and worldview have absorbed everything spiritual.
My journey began when I was just 16 years old. While still in school, I started to seriously pursue this passion by attending icon painting classes. I was fortunate to have wonderful teachers who deepened my love for icon painting and equipped me with essential skills, knowledge, and experience. Their support encouraged me to persevere and keep moving forward.
By the grace of God, in 2012, I began working at the icon-painting workshop of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. At that time, my growing experience allowed me to take on small commissions and actively participate in the life of the workshop. I was lucky to study and interact with many talented icon painters from Ukraine. This exposure inspired me to work even harder and accelerated my growth as an artist.
It was equally important for me to receive an artistic education, so a year later, I enrolled in the Mykhailo Boichuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative-Applied Arts and Design. My time at the academy was filled with wonderful memories that greatly enhanced my skills and knowledge. During this period, I balanced my studies with work in an icon-painting workshop.
After graduating in 2016, I continued my journey in the icon-painting workshop while also taking on individual commissions. I find immense joy in sharing icons with people around the world, and I thank God for the opportunity to bring my work into homes and churches.
May the holy icons inspire you to grow and transform daily, guiding you on your journey from earth to heaven—from this temporary existence to the eternal. This is the essence of the Christian life. The purpose of an icon is not to lead us away from this world but to make Christ and the Saints present with us here and now, in our own time and space—much like what occurs during the Divine Liturgy. This liturgical and ecclesiastical function of the icon is vital.
Only through prayer can an icon fulfill its true purpose. As a discerning judge of my own work, I have set my primary objective to create pieces that are constantly improving, fulfilling their purpose, and remaining faithful to the spirit and teachings of the Orthodox Church.
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The miracle of common prayer.
Choosing an icon painter is a decision that involves trusting her both as a skilled professional and as a servant of God. The professionalism of an icon painter is reflected not only in her solid artistic education but also in her deep understanding of the canons, her visual experience, and her iconographic perspective. Through prayer, God guides us to the right icon painter, fosters mutual understanding, and ultimately reveals the desired image through her work. This is the miracle of shared prayer and Divine Providence.
Faithful to tradition.
What I strive to achieve is to use the same Byzantine techniques that have been employed throughout all periods and schools of Byzantine painting. This includes the careful application of line, color, composition, and perspective to create icons that fulfill their ecclesiastical and liturgical purpose: to bring the viewer into communion with the depicted figure here and now.
In my studio, I exclusively use traditional powdered pigments derived from natural minerals found in stones, clay, and sand. These materials yield the same colors that ancient iconographers utilized centuries ago. I never use acrylics or other industrial paints. For my binder, I prepare an emulsion made from dry white wine and egg yolk.
I typically work on prepared linden wood panels and finish with a linen varnish. All of these materials and techniques ensure the longevity of the icons. I employ a fairly dry brush technique, applying two or three thin layers of color before building up additional layers using both diluted and concentrated pigments, again with an almost dry brush. I prefer this method because it has stood the test of time; many icons painted by ancient iconographers remain in excellent condition today.
Above all, my goal is to create work that reflects professionalism and the highest quality—art that is crafted with love and devotion.
Inspiration
I find my deepest well of inspiration in life itself. I am constantly overwhelmed by the beauty of creation. As an artist, I feel a profound connection to nature, which serves as my greatest source of inspiration. In nature, the Lord reveals Himself as the ultimate Artist and Creator.
However, it is equally important for me to continually explore new horizons by studying both ancient and modern icons, frescoes, and mosaics. I find great comfort in this exploration. I do not aspire to mechanical copying; rather, I believe that iconography should transcend static, photocopied, and sterile imitations of past images. An artist must continually expand, enrich, and renew their work.
In my stylistic journey, I choose only what resonates with me personally, absorbing beautiful aesthetic principles, artistic ideas, and techniques. I am not confined to a specific style. My goal is to create an original icon in a distinctive and recognizable manner that expresses artistic freedom while adhering to traditional canons.
Most importantly, I believe that the icons I paint will hold significance and meaning for you, occupying a cherished place in your home and personal life.
Thanks again for visiting my shop! Your support means so much to me and is very appreciated. If you have any questions about my work or just want to say hello, please reach out to me in the contact form below!
