I was born in Kharkov, Ukraine, or the former Soviet Union, and do not remember a time growing up when I was not painting,
drawing or inspired to illustrate stories that I'd read in books. This became a base for my future, as I sought to integrate my
love of painting with the art of illustration. I received a scholarship from the Art Students League to study the human form,
painting and etching. At the same time, I received a scholarship to study illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York
City. After graduating I began illustrating for various magazines and newspapers including the New York times Book Review,
while continuing to paint and exhibit my work.
For the past five years I have worked as the head muralist for the Children's Museum of Manhattan, creating murals that
accompanied exhibits of some of the most beloved children's book illustrators and authors including Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak
and Beatrix Potter. These ever-changing exhibits varied in style and mood, which allowed me to expand creatively and
constantly push my range. Along the way, I continued working on various illustration projects, including a series of characters
for the "Monkey King Exhibit" which is currently traveling around the country. Another assignment involved creating a series
of images for the wonderful fairy tail Thumbelina.
In 2005, I left New York City and the Children's Museum of Manhattan and relocated to New Hope, Pennsylvania to pursue a
career as a full-time illustrator. I recently completed project illustrating a new children's novel called The Traitor's Gate by
Newbury Award winner Avi, which will be available in bookstores this June.
