Today we’d like to introduce you to Svetlana Novikova.
Hi Svetlana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hey there! I’m Svetlana Novikova, and I’ve been passionate about creating art for as long as I can remember. I enjoy using vibrant colors, textures, and dynamic compositions to bring my paintings to life. My goal is to create art that has a personal and emotional impact on my clients, whether it’s landscape, animal art, a figurative piece, or custom artwork that tells a unique story. Back in the late 90s, I started honing my expressive and colorful painting style. Along the way, I’ve drawn inspiration from impressionistic artists, contemporary art, and the experiences that shape my life. My favorite mediums to work with are watercolors and acrylics with palette knives, allowing me to experiment and express myself. Over the years, it’s been an honor to have some of my art featured in several publications, like Artist’s Magazine, Austin Woman’s Magazine, Tribeza, Discover Fort Collins, The Daily Texan, Just Frenchies, Sphynx Magazine, Saddle & Stirrups. Seeing my artwork find its place in private collections and public displays worldwide has also been gratifying. One of the truly memorable accomplishments in my artistic journey was being commissioned to create a painting of the Texas Governor’s Mansion for their fundraising and event initiatives. It was an honor to be chosen for such an important project. Teaching art has also been a fulfilling experience for me. For 9 years, I enjoyed teaching art at a private school and leading art workshops for adults. There’s something truly special about helping others find their creative voices and seeing their passion for art grow. It’s a journey we embark on together, and I’m grateful for the connections I’ve made along the way. But that’s not all—I have another artistic venture that brings me a different kind of joy.
About 12 years ago, I started drawing live caricatures, and that’s how SILLY ARTIST, my event entertainment company, was born (www.SillyArtist.com). Learning to capture quick and simplified caricatures while keeping them humorous and maintaining a likeness was a real challenge initially. I was very slow and stumbled quite a bit at first and wanted to quit every time I went to a gig, but with a lot of practice, I got much better at it. Not only has it allowed me to refine my artistic skills, but it has also helped me overcome my introversion and connect with people uniquely. Drawing caricatures at events has become a fun and fulfilling way to connect with people, bring smiles to their faces, and add a touch of entertainment to their special occasions. The fun thing about this type of work is that I always end up at a party!
My caricature style is light-hearted and whimsical, and it’s usually been a hit at all sorts of events, from corporate gatherings to private parties and weddings. I offer traditional caricatures on paper and digital caricatures drawn on an iPad. It’s always a blast to see guests’ reactions as they watch their caricatures come to life on a big monitor and have them printed immediately. Besides event entertainment, I offer custom caricatures from photos for those looking for a unique gift or keepsake. And if you ever need live painting, fashion sketches, face painting, balloon twisting, or other creative entertainment. Occasionally, I also participate in fundraising events, using my live painting or caricature services to support causes close to my heart, like the Step Onward Foundation and various animal non-profits. If you’re interested in booking me for event entertainment, commissioning a painting or portrait, or having any questions about art instruction, workshops, design, or illustrations, please feel free to connect. Thank you.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
A bit of background. When I turned 19, I took a leap of faith and moved to this country alone to pursue education and the American dream with only $500 in my pocket. Learning English from scratch and getting used to a new culture was one of the hardest things I faced. I remember taking my dictionary with me everywhere I went to try to communicate with people, and for a couple of years, most people couldn’t understand what I was saying. That was frustrating for a while, but eventually, I improved my language skills. However, the accent still stays.
Throughout my journey, I’ve encountered various challenges and experienced moments of fulfillment while pursuing two bachelor’s degrees, building my art career, and establishing an event entertainment business. Alongside these pursuits, one of my life’s most rewarding and demanding roles has been that of a parent. Balancing my artistic endeavors with the responsibilities of raising a child has been a fulfilling and sometimes challenging journey. As an artist entrepreneur, some of the challenges were learning to run a creative business, learning to market my work, managing contracts, communicating with clients, and resolving customer service issues while trying to balance my personal life and parenthood and try to have time time to pursue my creative passions. I am genuinely grateful for all the experiences and achievements so far, but I couldn’t have done those without God’s help and guidance. Looking ahead, I recognize that there is always room for growth and improvement, and I’m excited about the future.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Some of my art specialties include pet portraiture, cityscapes and figurative work using various mediums.
Over the years I’ve studied various techniques (Italian Renaissance painting, watercolors, impasto techniques with palette knives, mixed media, digital painting, alcohol inks, oil and acrylic painting, etc.) and enjoy implementing some of those skills in my art. I am available for commissions.
Currently I am working on setting up an online art teaching membership and art courses to help people learn and improve art skills.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Austin is a vibrant city with a lot to offer. It’s a diverse place with so much to do, from exploring the city life to enjoying the entertainment, food, and nature outings. I love that Austin has such a rich art and music culture, and it’s great to see it being promoted. The city’s motto, ‘Keep Austin weird,’ is perfect for artistic people like me who often feel we need to fit in with the mainstream crowd. On the other hand, the one thing I dislike about Austin is the traffic, and of course, the summer heat can be pretty crazy too!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SvetlanaNovikova.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/SvetlanaNovikovaArt
- Other: www.SillyArtist.com
Image Credits
Copyright Svetlana Novikova, all rights reserved.
