Hello
My name is Mariya Vladymyrova and I am a Ukrainian artist and graphic designer. I came to California with my two children in 2022 to escape the war in Ukraine. I am forever grateful to the people of California for welcoming us and providing us with a safe place to call home.
As an artist, I find inspiration in the beauty of the world around us. The things I love most in life are my children, the warm sun, the endless sky, good music, and of course, art. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to create and share my work with others here in California.
I invite you to take a look at my work and I hope that you find something that speaks to you.
If you'd like to connect with me further, please follow me on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe Newsletter or rich me by mail. I would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.
My Story
My journey as an artist began in childhood. While reading magical tales and adventures, my vivid imagination painted fantastical scenes that begged to be brought to life on paper. I studied illustrations in books and created my own, ones that more accurately expressed my personal impressions and emotions. This passion led me to pursue formal artistic education at university, where I trained as an illustrator.
However, after graduating, I became captivated by graphic design — a field just beginning to emerge in Ukraine at that time. It became a space for experimentation and discovery for over 20 years. Though I never abandoned illustration and drawing, they became more of a hobby — a tool for self-expression. I would create art occasionally, sharing my work only with those closest to me, or sometimes not at all.
Everything changed in 2022 when Russian forces invaded my country. I left behind my cherished home, friends, and beloved work to protect my two children from the dangers of war, finding safety and refuge in California. The first few months were horrific—my mind refused to accept the reality, and I struggled to find explanations for my children (and for myself). Over time, drawing became my solace. Initially, I expressed my emotions through chaotic, unclear, and unfinished creations, which I often tore apart before they were completed. This was my personal therapy, my path to acceptance, my entry point into reality.
The first meaningful piece I kept was "All I Will Take With Me"—an artwork about what we can and must hold onto when leaving our homeland. It was a piece about loss and true values, reflecting my personal journey, a journey shared by tens of thousands of Ukrainian women scattered across the world, saving what is most precious. Then I began to draw—constantly, relentlessly. I met incredible women who, at the moment, are making history. They inspired me, capturing their essence in my work as I did in childhood — trying to convey my own impressions of their natural (and sometimes undernatural) power that moves the world. This is how the series "Spirit of Ukraine: The Secret Power" and "Splashes of Reality" were born.
I decided to showcase my work at a fair to support the Ukrainian resistance, and my pieces resonated with many. Unexpectedly, I discovered that there were people around me who found a deep connection with my somewhat magical, somewhat naive, but completely sincere paintings as if they were an extension of their skin.
Today, I invite you to find something special in my works that resonates with your soul and thoughts. I am always endlessly grateful for your feedback, and I find immense joy in seeing how my art touches your hearts!
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
408 802-8058 (texting preffered)