Recently I gave an interview to the wonderful Expat Media portal – XpatLoop! I answered questions about my childhood, moving to Hungary and the way it affected me and my art.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
It is my fifth year in Hungary, before that I lived in Winnipeg, MB, Canada, and it was so cold there! Yes I was born in Russia, but in Saint-Petersburg we never get like -50 ish C in the wintertime, for me it was absolutely new level of the word “cold”. And I love to draw outside, nature and plants, so I realized that I just could not live in that never-ending winter. And Hungary has a beautiful nature, moderate climate with all 4 seasons and very comfortable location to travel around Europe.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
I never lived that much on the south and my biggest surprise was connected to nature. It was a lovely sunny day and we were sitting with my friends on a terrace near the Lake Balaton. And one of them mentioned that the hazelnut tree already has fruits on its branches. I was looking at the tree shocked and fascinated, because I always lived on the north and hazelnuts it is something you buy in a shop, wrapped in plastic. They simply don’t grow around. And still each summer I feel myself as in a fairy tale here.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Ignorance, lack of kindness and wish to teach others how they should live and do.

Check the whole interview here!