Yanina Tuyman is a contemporary artist originally from Omsk, Russia, and currently based in Ottawa, Canada, where she has lived since 2013. She holds a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Omsk University.
After years of working as a digital designer and graphic artist, Yanina turned to painting to explore the expressive and tactile possibilities of traditional art materials. Her background in digital art informs her distinctive approach to colour, composition, and graphic forms, while her love of texture and decorative detail brings depth and a sensory quality to her work.
Animals are at the heart of Yanina’s artistic practice. Fascinated by their natural beauty, strength, and fragility, she creates expressive, stylized animal portraits that celebrate the individuality and wonder of the creatures with whom we share our planet. Her work combines the decorative elegance of Gustav Klimt’s golden period, the geometric sophistication of Art Deco, and the symbolism of North American First Nations totem art.
Working with acrylic paints, textured pastes, three-dimensional contours, and gold leaf, Yanina creates richly textured compositions featuring bold shapes, intricate patterns, and striking metallic accents. Her distinctive visual language transforms animal portraits into decorative artworks that balance graphic simplicity with tactile richness.
Through her art, Yanina expresses her deep love for animals and her connection with the natural world. She hopes her paintings bring warmth, beauty, and wonder into people's lives while encouraging a greater appreciation of wildlife and reminding viewers of our shared responsibility to protect animals, preserve nature, and care for our planet.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I find inspiration in the little things that make life beautiful: the colours of everyday objects, the warmth of a cozy interior, the charm of familiar scenes, and the wonderful creatures we share our planet with. I love looking at the world with curiosity and imagination, discovering beauty in ordinary things and expressing it through my paintings.
My art moves between contemporary naïve decorative art, Fauvism, and Art Deco. Sometimes I feel drawn to playful shapes, pure colours, and expressive black outlines; other times, I want to explore decorative patterns, rich textures, and the golden beauty of stylized animal portraits. I am inspired by the golden period of Gustav Klimt and the symbolism of North American First Nations totem art, but I always seek to bring my own feelings and vision into my work.
I enjoy experimenting with materials and discovering how they can make a painting feel more alive. I work with acrylics, oil pastels, textured pastes, three-dimensional contours, and gold leaf. Colour is especially important to me. I love combining unexpected shades, creating contrasts, and adding tactile details that invite the viewer to look closer.
For me, painting is a way to share how I see and feel the world. I want my art to bring joy, warmth, and a little magic into people's lives. Whether I paint an animal, an interior, or an everyday object, I hope to capture something that makes us pause, smile, and appreciate the beauty surrounding us.