Darya Vershinina

When did you first realize that art is something you want to pursue seriously?

I believe it all started back in 2017, a year after I graduated. At the time, I was primarily drawing portraits with colored pencils. I occasionally come across them now, and to be honest, I find it mesmerizing how determined I was back then. You can see the careful color selection and the many layers, making it clear that each piece required immense time and perseverance.

In a way, these old portraits serve as a motivation, urging me not to let my past self down. I have come to believe that if I was capable of that level of dedication then, I undoubtedly have the power within me to achieve even more now, and at any point in the future.

Darya Vershinina | Pierrot | 2025

You studied finance and work in a bank — how do you balance such a practical profession with your creative ambitions?

To be honest, I am still searching for that perfect balance, though I am not sure it is even attainable. During the week, my drawing time is limited to lunch breaks or evenings, and since I have the usual daily tasks to complete, I often settle for a quick sketch unless there is an exhibition deadline.

On weekends, I fully immerse myself in art, spending four hours a day or more at a local workshop. While this is productive, the sad part is that it leaves me with barely any time to rest.

What inspired you to start learning Korean and dream of building an artistic career in Korea?

It all began in 2017 (quite a busy year haha), sparked by a Korean mobile game. I was completely captivated by one of the characters and felt a strong desire to draw him. To do this accurately, I started browsing through photos of Korean people online for reference, and that is when I first came across pictures of BTS members. A friend then properly introduced me to their music, recommending her favorite songs.

My fascination grew so deep that I soon started learning Korean, initially just to understand their lyrics better and to sing along. At some point, this passion even led me to consider applying to the very company that had created the mobile game, which started it all.

Darya Vershinina | Sleep Tight | 2025

You often portray people in emotional and intimate moments. What draws you to these particular stories?

I am drawn to these intimate, emotional moments precisely because of my own intense emotional nature. I see that same volcanic energy in the quietest human experiences, and I feel a deep need to give it a voice. For me, depicting a character’s emotion to the fullest is how I give their inner world the weight and visibility it deserves.

Darya Vershinina | Wish I Was Her | 2025

How do you choose the characters in your paintings — are they people you know, fictional figures, or inspired by cinema and music?

My characters come from all of these sources. I have drawn portraits of Joaquin Phoenix as Emperor Commodus from “Gladiator,” RM from BTS, and a queen inspired by a Korean Empress and a local theater actress, alongside more personal subjects like my grandmother and friends, or random people I discover online.

My approach then varies. If I know the subject or the scene, my focus shifts to uncovering the story behind that specific moment. In other cases, the choice is purely intuitive; I am guided by an immediate emotional response to the image. The decision is often quick: do I like the potential narrative that pops inside my head? Do I feel connected to the character and the color palette? If so, I save it as a reference for a future piece.

Oil pastels and acrylic paint can be quite different in technique. What do you love most about each medium?

I will start with the practical aspects and then move to the more poetic ones. What I truly appreciate about oil pastels is the immediacy—how quickly I can set up my workspace and clean up afterwards. Acrylics require more preparation, though they are still far more manageable than traditional oils.

On a more personal note, I find a certain joy in the physical connection with these mediums. I love seeing the pastel dust on my hands, and with acrylics, I often test the color on my skin rather than the palette.

Artistically, one of my favorite techniques is glazing, which, despite being a classic oil painting method, I feel very confident in using with oil pastels and acrylics. I love it for two reasons. First, it allows me to build complex, layered colors that I find much more captivating. A petal is not just white; it is a fusion of five different hues. For me, these subtle layers are like a hidden testament to the love and care invested in every part of the canvas. Second, glazing lets me fine-tune the tones, creating an effect that is both realistic and softened by a dreamlike filter.

In the end, what I value most is how both mediums empower me to create something truly picturesque with a sense of depth and emotion.

Darya Vershinina | You | 2022

Do you hope viewers interpret the story behind each character, or is it important to leave room for personal imagination?

I do not think the stories behind my paintings are always easy to interpret exactly as I intended. Therefore, people are free to imagine the narrative as they wish. For instance, at my last exhibition in Seoul, I had many conversations with guests, and their unexpected assumptions about the paintings’ meanings were a genuine delight.

You see, artists are true magicians: we take a blank piece of paper, a canvas, a piece of cardboard, and we give it a face. The part of this magic though is granting the audience the freedom to imagine what the eyes on that face are looking at.