Svetlana Orinko

Guest Artist for Splash 2020

I began my journey as an artist at a very young age having inherited artistic abilities from my father. I was born and grew up in Ukraine.

At the age of 12 after passing an entrance examination I began a rigorous Classical Old Masters art education program, which would take me almost 10 years to complete. After completing my education I didnt know any contemporary artist in Ukraine so the prospect of becoming professional artist never even crossed my mind. I was also an accomplished dressmaker and had my own clientele from which I was able to make a living.

Life was difficult and opportunities were limited in the former USSR. I started looking for solutions to better my world and to give my growing daughter a better future. In 1992 I immigrated to New Zealand and started painting again. Since that time I enjoyed amazing success and a growing reputation as one of the countrys top watercolour artist and teacher.