Tatiana Myreeva

You were born and raised in Yakutia. How have the nature, culture, and visual atmosphere of this region influenced your artistic perception?

My childhood was deeply connected to nature. I could spend hours observing animals – their movements, physical expression, and behavior. My parents and relatives maintained a large household, so animals were an integral part of my everyday life.

Another important aspect of my upbringing was the traditional Sakha practice of preparing for the long winter each autumn. I took part in butchering livestock and wild game, which gave me a unique opportunity to study anatomy firsthand rather than through textbooks. Later, my curiosity expanded through medical anatomy atlases that my parents kept in their home library. Although those books were stored on the highest shelf, I always found a way to reach them. I was endlessly fascinated by the human body – how muscles function, how movement changes form, and how anatomy shapes expression.

I grew up in a very remote village that, during the summer months, was not even connected by road. Information arrived slowly, and books ordered from Moscow often took several months to reach us. Perhaps that is why every new book felt incredibly precious. Among my greatest treasures were instructional books on drawing people, animals, and nature. Those experiences nurtured my lifelong fascination with form, movement, and the inner structure of living beings.
Today, that early experience continues to shape my painting. I am interested not only in the outward appearance of a person, but also in the inner state that reveals itself through the body.

Tatiana Myreeva | Bliss | 2022

When did you first turn to portrait painting, and why did the human figure become the central subject of your artistic practice?

Since 2020, I have been working professionally in portrait painting, although my journey began much earlier. During my final years of school, I spent countless hours drawing portraits. At that time, it was less about developing artistic skill and more about understanding myself. Through the human face and figure, I found a way to process emotions that I could not always express in words. In many ways, it became a form of personal art therapy. Over time, this introspective practice evolved into a coherent artistic vision. Today, the human figure remains the central subject of my work. It is through portraiture that I explore inner transformation, self-acceptance, and spiritual growth, using the human image as a universal language for reflecting the inner life.

The figures in your paintings are often depicted with their eyes closed or their heads tilted back. What emotional and psychological states do you seek to convey through these poses?

Closed eyes symbolize the moment when a person stops looking outward and begins looking inward. It is in these moments that self-awareness emerges and we become able to truly listen to our inner voice.
A head tilted back represents relaxation, release, and trust. It captures the quiet moment of a deep breath, when tension begins to dissolve. For me, this gesture also symbolizes reaching toward something greater—God, the Higher Self, or the Absolute. Everyone gives it a different name, but the essence remains the same: the search for a connection with something beyond ordinary human experience.

Tatiana Myreeva | Inner Source | 2026

Deep blue plays an important role in many of your works. What does this color mean to you personally, and how does it influence the mood of the person depicted?

Deep blue is one of the defining elements of my visual language. To me, it represents sensitivity, psychological depth, and the mystery of human consciousness. Symbolically, I associate this color with Neptune – the planet traditionally connected with intuition, spirituality, imagination, and the inner world.

At the same time, the deep blue background creates an intimate, contemplative space. It removes every unnecessary distraction, allowing the viewer’s full attention to rest on the figure and its emotional presence.

Tatiana Myreeva | Tenderness | 2022

How does your approach to freely created figures differ from your work on commissioned portraits, where you need to convey the individuality of a specific person?

The fundamental difference lies in the source of the image.
When creating a commissioned portrait, I strive not only for physical likeness but also for an understanding of the person’s inner world. Their life story, significant experiences, and personal journey all help me perceive their individuality. My goal is to capture not only their appearance but also something of their character and presence.
My personal paintings begin from an entirely different place. The figures are not portraits of specific individuals. They emerge from my own experiences, emotions, and spiritual exploration. As a result, these works carry only my own inner energy and emotional states.

How have participating in international exhibitions and receiving the Talent Prize Award in Los Angeles influenced your perception of your own work and your subsequent artistic development?

I regularly participate in exhibitions and art competitions, and each experience has strengthened my confidence in the value of my own artistic voice. When your work resonates with audiences and members of the professional art community across different countries, you begin to realize more clearly that the inner experiences we all share are universal, transcending cultural boundaries. For me, international exhibitions are an opportunity to engage in a dialogue with the world through art. I also believe that spiritual fulfillment and professional success are not mutually exclusive. The opportunity to dedicate myself to art, continue growing as an artist, and connect with those who resonate with my work is an essential part of my creative journey.

Tatiana Myreeva | Woman Portrait | 2022

What themes, emotional states, or new artistic techniques would you like to explore in your future work?

Although portraiture has long been the primary focus of my practice and I have developed several series within this genre, I have always remained open to exploring new artistic directions. Three years ago, I became inspired by the idea of bringing portraiture and animal art together within a single body of work.

As I mentioned earlier, animals have been part of my life since childhood and have profoundly shaped the way I perceive the world. To me, they are not only an integral part of nature but also symbols of specific inner qualities and stages of human spiritual development.

I am interested in exploring th relationship between the human and the animal as two expressions of the same natural essence, revealing their inner dialogue and the subtle ways they influence one another.