What is the best thing that I love about my work? I am a lucky person because my life has given me the opportunity to try different fields of activity and live several lives in one. In my pre-American life, I was a corporate lawyer and was involved in some awesome projects.

Having emigrated to America and zeroed my life in all areas, including professional life, I gradually began to realize my childhood dream of becoming an artist. I enjoy expressing the world around me through my paintings, and I love putting the reality of everyday life on the canvas using colors and shapes. The purpose of my art is to inspire people to see the hidden beauty in the simplicity of their surroundings. Too often we are waiting for miracles but forgetting to look right in front of us. There is a lot of beauty in everyday life! In order to notice it, we simply need to pause, look around… and maybe ask yourself a question: what brings richness to my life? I also teach art to children, adults and the elderly and working with them makes me really happy – to see their joy in the creative process, their progress and pleasure, to be their guide – that is true love.

What is my idea of happiness?  For me, happiness is balance within, peace with myself. By keeping this balance within and accepting yourself as you are, we are able to interact with the outside world with love and acceptance. Balance within removes jealousy, feelings of being unwanted and competitive or unhelpful comparisons that most of us tend to fall into. If we are at peace with ourselves, we are at peace with the world around us.

What is my greatest fear? Find myself amidst the war, that comes with a loss of loved ones and its other horrors.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Time wasting.

What is my greatest extravagance?  Being myself. I say pretty much what I think. I live the life I really want to live regardless of external approvals and circumstances.

On what occasion would I lie? I just recently got a tattoo on my left arm “That which can be destroyed by the truth should be. That which the truth nourishes should thrive.” This is a quote close to my heart from Feeling Rational by Eliezer Yudkowsky.

I don’t believe that anything good can come from lying. But perhaps in order to protect someone I care about.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?  I like everything. But if there is something that needs to be pointed out, I feel that there is always room for growth professionally. And this insecurity sometimes hinders me from moving forward. I am working hard to turn this around and use it to my advantage.  

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?  In my work as a teacher – in all the moments when I see the happy faces of my students who have achieved their breakthroughs and satisfaction from the process and  the results of their work.  Also, when I do my own work, I get satisfaction from others appreciating my work and talent.  

If I could, what would I change about myself?  Everything that we dislike about ourselves, we must change from within. I would primarily like to tame my fears. I think I can and I will  one day.

What is my greatest achievement in work?  During my immigration to America, I not only completely changed my language, country and environment. I changed my profession. I transformed from a corporate lawyer to an artist and art teacher. Over the past two years I have run more than 40 silk painting workshops, the main idea of which is to express ourselves through art. I also teach art to children and seniors. And my greatest satisfaction is to see their smiles and joy during the creative process, opening their eyes and spirits to creativity, because I honestly believe that it heals us.  As an artist, my greatest achievement is to win the Billboard Contest 2022, and my artwork has been featured on the billboard in Sacramento, CA.

Where would I most like to live?  I live in a small town close to Boston and I like my place as a temporary place. My dream is to live in the woods by the lake and no more than an hour from the
ocean. Grow vegetables, berries, flowers and plants. I prefer calm, quiet places where I can paint, read, and have long walks.

What is my most treasured possession?  I am grateful to have the support and encouragement of my family as I pursue my career as an artist. They have always believed in me and have been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement throughout my life. Their support means a
great deal to me. Overall, it is important to have the support and encouragement of loved ones as we pursue our goals and dreams, and to recognize the value and importance of the relationships we have with them.

What is my most marked characteristic?  Hard working, persistent, loyalty.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?  The ocean. I always dreamed of living near the sea, but life has given me a much bigger gift. It gave me the gift of living next to the ocean! And speaking of the ocean, two sayings immediately come to my mind as to why it’s so great to live near the ocean. I can’t say it better than that, so I’ll quote them here. 
“When there is so much in the distance
behind you, mainly – misery,
don’t loiter, waiting for assistance,
but catch the train bound for the sea.
It’s deeper. And it’s not so small.
This, in itself, won’t fix your mood.
But if one has to, after all,
sense all the pangs of orphanhood,
then pick a setting that can make your insides stir instead of ache”.
Joseph Brodsky
“In heaven, it’s all they talk about. The ocean. And the sunset. How fucking beautiful
it is to watch that big ball of fire melt to the ocean. The only light that is left like a
candle is inside”
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?  There are a lot of amazing places to eat around Boston. But I prefer to eat food prepared by myself or my friends, because the energy put into the food during the cooking process is very important to me. The most important ingredient of food is love.

What books influenced my life and how?  The book The Little Prince. It is a wonderful example of literature that leads us to thoughtful and serious reflection on our lives and the world around us. The book reminds us that life is not only made up of material things, but also of spiritual values that make our lives complete and meaningful.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Most likely it would be nature music – the sound of the ocean, birds singing, the beat of rain and wind. And I would also ask my friends to play musical instruments – drums, harp, flute – and sing together.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?  I love O. Henry. I had his book as a child and read his short stories. Recently this book came to me from my mom from Russia. So – the heroes and heroines of his stories do very simple but very important things for those they love. Our whole life is made up of such little things. The ability to notice and do them is for me the highest expression of love. That is why O. Henry’s heroes are my heroes and my love forever.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? I live among heroes. Living my second emigration for the last 6 years of my life, I have intentionally listened to hundreds of emigrant stories of my friends and acquaintances. In the last two years, the stories of refugees from Russia and Ukraine have been added to them. All these people are real heroes for me, because immigration is a sort of rebirth experience. Its a quest to arrive in a new country, and create a  new life for yourself. 

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet.
 
What role play stories in my life and work? I keep saying that life weaves marvelous patterns. These patterns are stories – mine and those of the people around me. The stories of my family, its members, my friends and buddies, as well as people who have come into my life for some reason.
All these stories intertwine with each other and form the energy that warms us and gives us the energy to weave new life patterns.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? The fact that I write my own life and what it will be depends only on me. Every day offers millions of choices and it is my responsibility to decide which one I will accept and where it will lead me.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?  I am very lucky in life because my family – my mom, my son and my sister – are my biggest support in life, and we are each other’s rock. I am also immensely grateful to life for my friends and in general for the people it sends me in different ways. Often these people turn out to be real angels in human bodies – they appear just when I need them most and always help me.

Which people or companies would I like to work with? I have a very bold wish – I would love to collaborate with Michael Phelps and Mikhail Baryshnikov to promote my art. Among companies – I would love to expand my silk painting workshops to events in large corporations and retreat centers. For example, such as Omega Institute for Holistic Studies and Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health.

What project am I looking forward to work on? I have several projects planned for next year, and I’m looking forward to participating in them. Most of them will be done in collaboration with other people. No matter what projects I am involved in, I strive to give my best and give them my full attention. I believe that this approach is essential for success.

Where can you see me or my work?
You can see my work on:
http://simpleartforms.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SimpleArtForms/
https://www.instagram.com/simple_art_forms_/
Also, in some galleries – right now some of my paintings are in Wayland public library. And what is more, my art is being worn by people – painted scarves, t-shirts, dresses and other clothes.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? “Passion never retires” means that no matter how old you are or what challenges you may face, your passion for anything will remain strong and continue to drive you forward. It is a reminder to follow your dreams, set your goals high and pursue your passion with all your heart.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story? With this interview I want to express my gratitude to the Russian-speaking community of Boston for the warmth, support and love that I have received and continue to receive during my emigration to America. There are many of these people, all of them emigrants from the former Soviet Union, who have passed and are still following a difficult but amazing and marvelous creative path. If I have to limit myself, let it be those people close to me who have their own unique small businesses – they are Volga Bo (DreamSeed, SoulDance), Zhanna Lee (FlourishingIntimacy), Irina Tolmach (Brush and Easel), Olga Privina (Wise Herbalist, DreamSeed), Irina Khomitch (Aromatherapy and Olfactotherapy), Katrina Bushmelev
(katrina@capitalturners.com), Tatiana Tremblay (PURRfect Sound Bath), Inna Inna Zhukovsky-Zilber (Kaziuki). Their purpose is to make their own and the lives of people around them full in every sense.

How can you contact me?
+1 401 855 7672 (text only)
http://simpleartforms.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SimpleArtForms/
https://www.instagram.com/simple_art_forms_/