Yelena Mazour-Matusevich's photostream

My inspiration is as mixed as my background: Russian, Jewish and French. My other inspiration is the medieval art of illumination. As a professional medievalist I have published a scholarly book in France (2004) and many articles in French, English and Russian. I am currently working on two other major publications.

As an artist I am just trying to be true to myself. If one can tell certain influences in my work, they are not intentional. More than anything I love flowers and cats. It certainly shows in my paintings.

I attended art school in St. Petersburg, Russia, but my first exhibit took place in France, in Aix-en-Provence. While living in France I led the career of a professional artist, having regular exhibits and shows while working on commission. In 2005 I had a personal exhibit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In Fairbanks I had exhibits in Artworks, the Alaska House, as well as the New Horizons and Annex galleries. I also had an exhibit in Portland, Oregon and plan to have another one in January 2009. My cards have been sold at the UAF bookstore, Gulliver’s bookstore and the Alaska House. My children’s book Baby Dreams will be published soon by Books Within Reach LL.

I paint whenever I can and wherever I can. Not having a studio, but having a four year old, my main medium is acrylic (it dries fast!). Having a regular income as a university professor, I don’t depend on the sales of my art works, therefore I don’t need to compromise and commercialize my work. I consider myself very fortunate and I believe that this extra income should be given back to God. Therefore all proceeds from the sale of my work are always donated to blind students in my home town of St. Petersburg. By avoiding the corruption and bureaucracy of Russian charity organizations I have been able to directly pay these students’ tuition at the St. Petersburg Institute of Theology and Philosophy, which, as a Christian institution, provides blind students with assistance. The credentials of the institute can be verified at their site: www.ibif.org.ru