Biography

Yulia Pustoshkina is a third generation artist born in Russia, immigrated to Australia in 2001. Studying at the Art School of Petrozavodsk, Yulia’s painting technique is influenced by famous traditional Russian art schools including Palekh and Loubok. Yulia’s early miniature paintings traditionally applied on wood plaques depicted Russian folkloric daily scenes of harvesting, fishing, domestic activities. Once immigrated to Australia she discovered for herself new medium as oils and mastered her painting technique on large canvases. Each painting tells a story. Yulia draws inspiration from her past, native traditions, fairy-tales and the world around her when travelling to different countries. There always is a thoughtful purpose in everything that her characters do. Now living in Australia Yulia still manages to carry on depicting her characters and minor details of her paintings with a distinctive flair of her Russian heritage. She creates a unique style of representational art, abstracted into its most basic shapes and colors.

While working on either small or large canvas I like to bring on the tiniest details that the viewers always manage to pick and wonder. I imagine anthropomorphic characters whether animals or birds, fish or plants and flowers. Everything they do or busy with has a purpose to it; every small detail has a meaning. Most often they are on the go somewhere and that probably explains my own love for travel. My Russian background never escapes to show itself and I create a fusion with Australian flora and fauna since Australia has become my second home. I find that an idea for a painting carries most significant importance. Inspirations come from anywhere, imagination is the key, and a touch of humour is an absolute must.