Meet the artist
Artist Bio:
Irina Khudyakov was born in Moscow, Russia. In 1991 her family moved to the US, and resided first five years in Manhattan, New York, and later in Upstate NY.
Her family moved to Hickory, NC in 1998 for her husband’s new job.
Since then Irina started study oil painting in local CVCC, and enjoyed the beauty of oils from the beginning. Several years she and her husband leaved in another states: Connecticut, Virginia and Maryland, where she continued to improve her painting.
In Martinsville, VA she attended art classes in local Piedmont Arts and Art Studio 107 with retired artist Roland A.Guidry who worked with the New England Conservatory Opera, Boston Conservatory, St. Louis Repertory Theater, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Central City Opera in Colorado, Opera on the James, Lynchburg, VA. She became a member of Lynwood Artists Ass. During almost four years in VA, Irina participated in annual art exhibition “Expressions” in Piedmont Arts, where she had purchase awards every year.
In Baltimore, where she and her husband spend over one year Irina attended Mitchell School of Fine Arts, where she studied a technique of old Dutch masters.
Irina never stopped to learn about art technique, art styles, artists from the books and the websites, visit museums and exhibitions.
When returned to Hickory, NC, she continued to attend art classes in CVCC. She became a member of Foothills Artists and Uni4 Artists groups, and remains an active member.
She participate in several local artists exhibitions in United Art Council in Hickory, Caldwell Art Council in Lenoir, where her artwork took 3rd place in exhibition of six counties, Rock School Art Foundation, Valdese, Annual Cork and Canvas Art Show in Abernathy Laurels in Newtown, North Wilkesboro Artist’s Juried Exhibit, Hiddenite Arts and Heritage Center, Burke Art Council, Morganton, and more.
Her works are in private collections in Germany, France, Russia, Macedonia, and across the US.
Artist Statement:
I have been interested in art since my childhood. I born and raised in Moscow, Russia, so leaving in big city gives me opportunity to visit museum, exhibition, art shows. This is our family tradition, and we continue this tradition in US and during our travels over Europe and Canada.
From the first look I fell in love with Impressionists work, and that gave me idea to start paint like them in same style.
I received M.S. degree in engineering, so that gave see the world around me in 3 dimensions. I interested in architecture from my school years, why I like to paint city scenes, buildings, especially I like old town with narrow streets, stairways…so I started to paint city scenes more in realistic style,
I traveled with my husband around East Coast, California, and Western Europe, and during our travels I took many photos of beautiful interesting places, so I want to share my impressions and memories.