Born and raised on the shores of the Volga River in Russia, I have been calling Toronto my second home for over sixteen years. The city’s vibrant diversity and talented artists motivated me to start my art career, thus opening a new chapter in my life.

I did not get any formal education in art. My BA degree in English and English literature, which lead me to work during the 1990s and the beginning of 2000s as a translator and interpreter in the British Embassy in Moscow. During those years I visited different galleries and shows, thus absorbing the art around me. I did not create that much art of my own at that time, except for several sketches of my cats, who were my first life drawing models.

Moving to Toronto in 2008 with my family has given me a second chance in life, since this is here, where I began to seriously practice my art. I was lucky to meet and take lessons from several talented artists who live in Toronto.

My art is my way of expressing my love towards the city’s inhabitants, its history and architecture and its changing seasons. I try to capture the beauty and laughter of everyday life in the Beach and Toronto. I like depicting people and their faces, trying to reach out to their inner self, to capture their spirits, and, in the end, expressing my own feelings and visions of each and every model that I have. There’s always a part of magic present in doing portraits, and for me, this is my main driving force to create.

I use different mediums: charcoal, pastels, oils, acrylics, watercolours. Lino cut prints is my new passion, and I will have to see where it drives me.

For me as an artist the only way to learn to draw is by drawing. I can tell that this is a long and fascinating road, an infinite joyful ride, with you being the only one who can restrain or halt yourself.

http://www.instagram.com/brramina