"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work." - Émile Zola

I didn’t start to draw sumi-e style right away. My fascination with Asia erupted first in drawing the portraits of Asian celebrities. But with deepened into culture I was fascinated the unusual art style, the dancing movements of the brush, the life of the ink after completing a touch on rice paper, the infinity of shades of gray. I really wanted to touch this, to comprehend this magic.

Not really understanding the differences between Japanese and Chinese art style, I watched online lessons of all the the masters that I just could find. But, besides self-education and random successes, I would like to satisfy my inner perfectionist also.

Through Facebook, I met people who studied sumi-e with Alexandra. I decided to give it a try. It was a great discovery! I wanted the lessons never end. I liked the structure of the lessons, relations to the history and opening of the meaning ​​of the subject of study. And the charming voice of Alexandra is a separate story.

I felt that I wanted to learn more and more. I found more courses and met other teachers from the "Two Empires" school. Now I continue to study with Natalya Voronaya, Elena Komyagina and Natalya Bezvulyak.

Still, no doubt Master is great importance in life. One teacher breaks off the wings, the other teacher gives them. I was honored with both options. Fortunately, there are many teachers who knows to give wings!
I hope I myself can become one of them soon!