Photo: Yelena Mirchevskaya
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I was born in Moscow, Russia and came to the US in 1994, at the age of seven. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and after living in Australia for a few years, I returned to Brooklyn. I have been drawing since my earliest memories and I have dozens of sketchbooks from childhood up until now. Although I loved drawing and illustration, I decided to pursue a career in advertising and design. After getting my BFA from Parsons School of Design, I started working as a motion graphics designer and eventually moved up to directing a creative team.
Art was always part of my life throughout my professional career, but it wasn’t until this past year and the pandemic that I really put more of a focus on my fine art. I began to paint landscapes and also created several series in ink and watercolor. After losing my job in the past year, I decided to start my own business, creating ketubahs, judaica, and other unique art for the home. I have made several ketubahs for friends in the past and decided now would be a great time to delve into that field. I am currently designing ketubahs, blessings for the home, and baby naming art using watercolor and ink.
What inspired you to become an artist?
There was never a particular moment that inspired me to become an artist. It was more something that was a part of me since I was a small child, and I couldn’t see a career in anything else.
What is your specialty?
My specialty is landscapes and portraits in watercolor and ink.
How and where do you work?
I am currently working from home, using an amazing desk for painting that was built by my husband.
What is the most indispensable item in your studio space?
Surprisingly, my most indispensable item is a Sumi brush that I received as a gift from a friend. I didn’t use it for years, until I started getting more interested in painting with ink. Nowadays, it’s the brush I use most and due to its versatility, I don’t really need anything else!
Where do you take your inspiration? Are you pursuing any themes?
For my current work with ketubahs and other judaica, my inspiration often comes from my travels. I am really inspired by Moorish architecture and the azulejo tiles from Portugal. In my personal work, I am constantly inspired by my background as an immigrant and I enjoy painting people in an unstaged, almost exaggerated way. My last series focused on the characters of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.
Do you do bespoke work?
I create custom-designed ketubahs, along with my ready-made options. I love the process of coming up with a unique design that the couple will treasure for years to come.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently painting new designs for my ketubahs and other judaica and adding them to my Etsy shop.
What are your favourite items in your current collection?
My current favorites are my mosaic-inspired blessing for the home painting and my fall leaves ketubah.
How do you know when a piece is finished?
I usually try to stop at the moment when I feel myself getting too finicky. I like to paint quickly to give the work a more spontaneous feel, so when I’m done I try not to stress about how long it took to create the work, instead focusing on whether I’m happy with the final result.
What was the first artwork you ever sold?
The first artwork was actually a print of one of my illustrations that I sold through Etsy.
Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far?
I have really enjoyed painting the designs for the ketubahs because they’re so different from my usual work. I really enjoy working on different patterns and experimenting with inks.
What do you want to achieve with your work and what are your wishes for the future?
I’m hoping to create art for the home that is both contemporary and also inspired by traditional elements.
Where can we find your work?
My Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StudioYarden
My personal work: https://www.yelenamirch.com/
Photos: Courtesy of Yelena Mirchevskaya
