Olga Sahnova

Olga Sahnova | Blue dress

Can you tell us about your artistic journey and how your early experiences influenced your path as an artist?

My artistic journey began in early childhood — I have been drawing ever since I could hold pencils and markers in my hands. I drew always and everywhere: in sketchbooks and notebooks, and when I ran out of paper, I drew in books, magazines, and even on the wallpaper in the hallway. It was a kind of inner need: I drew everything I saw, everything around me. I believe that these first childhood impressions shaped my way of seeing the world — I learned to notice beauty in everyday life. Sunlight reflections, flowers and trees, books, cups — everything created by nature and human hands evokes in me a sense of admiration, beauty, and harmony.

Olga Sahnova | A cup of coffee | 2024

Although you received a technical education, you continued to pursue art. How did this dual path shape your creative vision?

Yes, my main education is technical. As a child, when my parents realized that I was constantly drawing and organizing “home exhibitions” (I would hang my drawings on the walls of the corridor and living room), they sent me to art school. However, I had to enroll in a technical university, as in a family of engineers, other options were not even considered. I believe that higher education gave me a lot: discipline, attention to detail, and structure — all of which greatly help in working with composition and color. I realized that art is not only inspiration but also work and constant self-improvement. That is why in my works I pay great attention to realism and detail, while also trying to convey mood, atmosphere, and a kind of romance hidden in everyday life.

Your works often focus on everyday objects and quiet moments. What draws you to these subjects?

Oh yes, I truly love depicting simple household objects and modest landscapes of my homeland. What attracts me is their simplicity and authenticity. Ordinary things — a cup, a book, an apple on the table, an old chair, or a broom in the corner — hold traces of time, the stories of people who used them, and their energy. When I paint a still life, I try to capture and convey the beauty and harmony of each object. Landscapes with everyday views of my city, region, or places I travel to also resonate with me, and I want viewers to feel that same harmony, comfort, and beauty in these moments.

Olga Sahnova | Daisies in a bottle

You mention that even the simplest object can tell a story. How do you approach storytelling in your still lifes?

Creating a narrative for a still life is almost a ritual that combines observation, intuition, and reflection. It all begins with choosing objects: an old book with yellowed pages, a ceramic cup, a dress carelessly thrown over a chair — all of them are characters with their own stories. I imagine who drank from that cup and why it has a chip, where those apples came from, or who read that book and why they marked certain pages. It is incredibly fascinating to uncover the story behind each object! This is how an inner narrative is born — not always obvious, but I believe that within the simplicity and sincerity of everyday subjects lies a special power: to remind us of the beauty and significance of every moment in life. And that is something to cherish.

How would you describe your interpretation of romantic realism in your work?

Romantic realism for me is not just the name of my style — it is a way of seeing and expressing the world, where rough, sometimes harsh reality intertwines with romance, positivity, and the beauty of everyday life. It is an attempt to show not only what we see but also what we feel. The foundation of my approach is realism: I pay great attention to details, form, light and shadow, and texture. It is important that the viewer believes in the materiality of the depicted world. The romantic aspect of my work lies in how I convey atmosphere, mood, and emotional impression. Romantic realism becomes a balance between precision and feeling — an attempt to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, to tell a story through simple things, and to capture and preserve the beauty of a fleeting moment.

Olga Sahnova | Flowering branch | 2025

How do you balance commissioned work with your personal artistic projects?

Balancing commissioned work and personal projects is always a search for harmony between discipline and freedom. Commissioned work requires precision, meeting deadlines, and considering the client’s wishes. This experience keeps me sharp, develops my technical skills, and teaches me how to communicate with different people. Personal projects, on the other hand, are about freedom — time for reflection, experimentation, and learning. That is why after completing commissioned work, I always dedicate time to my own projects. Sometimes ideas for personal paintings are born during commissioned work, and one naturally flows into the other.

Olga Sahnova | Rustic tea party | 2023

What do you hope viewers feel or reflect on when they look at your paintings?

I want viewers to awaken memories and associations connected with simple yet meaningful things: the warmth of home comfort, the scent of flowers and fruits, light playing on the wall, the quiet rustle of river waves, or the noise of city streets. Let my paintings become a повод for someone to recall something personal — childhood, loved ones, or places where they felt happy. If my works bring a smile or simply make someone pause and look a little longer, then I have succeeded in conveying what matters to me — the beauty and harmony of everyday life.