We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julia Lesnichy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Julia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I I create art for people. I am very happy when people love my works and I am more excited when they buy them. For me it is not about the money but sharing the pure joy I experience while painting from life. I keep my prices moderate and affordable so people of different financial status can purchase them. Generally my mission is to create beautiful art and make people happy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a self taught oil and pastel artist from Moscow, Russia. In 2010 I moved to Virginia, US. I create plein air landscapes of Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mountains, orchards and vineyards. I also do florals, still life, figurative art, portraits and pet portraits both in oil and pastels. I have more than 30 awards from juried shows in oil and pastel societies such as Southeastern pastel society, North Carolina pastel society and many more. Several of myworks received Honorable mention from Pastel 100 Pastel magazine annual competitions and one from Artist’s magazine. Plein air magazine published an article about me “Pastellist at heart” in 2018. I took workshops from such masters as Lois Griffel, Richard McKinley, Alain Pickard. I am represented by Little gallery and Cabell gallery in Virginia. My works are in private collection of USA, Russia and Italy. Occasionally I teach workshops in oil and pastel painting.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

when I started selling a lot of my works in the galleries I stopped using bright colors and took a more realistic approach. I did it because I had to sell my works and support my family. But with the time I realized that I am still a color painter and color is what excites me most in a landscape. Now I am slowly returning to more colorful rendition of a landscape playing with colors asI see them. The lesson is to do what your heart tells you to do regardles of what people tastes and likes may be.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Many times I painted in inclement weather when strong gusts of wind toppled down my easel and canvases too. But I never gave up and continued to paint. If you are an oudoor painter you must be prepared to meet rigorous conditions. I also remember doing a plein air pastel in winter with the blizzard starting around me but I still had time and will to complete most of the painting.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://julialesnichy.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/jlesnichy
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/julia.lesnichy

Image Credits
Julia Lesnichy