Elena is a visual artist based in West Vancouver, BC, Canada, working primarily with oil paint. Her practice bridges classic realism and contemporary Impressionism, unified bya distinct romantic sensibility. On canvas, she moves fluidly between delicate glazing, confident brushwork, and expressive palette-knife techniques, creating depth, movement, and emotional resonance. Over the decades, Elena has exhibited her work extensively in local galleries and public spaces, establishing a lasting presence within the city’s art community. Venues have included Yeats Studio & Gallery, the Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Regency Lexus Vancouver, ArtRich Gallery Richmond, North Van Art Rental Center, and Ampersand Art Rental Center, among others.

Education:
Angels Academy of Art in Florence
Repin Academy of Art in St. Petersburg
Numerous workshops and mentorship programs with respected Canadian & American Artists.

Classes & Workshops
I’m currently teaching oil painting classes at Squamish Arts & North Van Arts.
Guest speaker at the Professional Development Series for North Van Arts.

Awards
My painting "Baroque style Still Life in Red" has been selected as a Finalist in the April 2025
BoldBrush Art Contest & Exhibit
https://collectors.boldbrush.com/p/elena-senatorova

Media Publications
Squamish Chief - North Shore News Sep 6, 2023
https://www.squamishchief.com/opinion/opinion-masterful-sunlit-impression-takes-centre-stage-in-squamish-gallery-7510376

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I work primarily in oil, painting landscapes and flowers that awaken a strong emotional
response in me. I have always looked at the world through a romantic lens. Since
childhood, I have been drawn to beauty, mystery, and the emotional character of the
natural world. Because of this, I do not always paint a subject exactly as it appears. A
real place or object may become more mysterious, dreamlike, or imagined as I paint. I
use these transformations to strengthen the emotion I experienced and to express what I
felt rather than only what I saw.
My work begins with a moment of connection. I may see a landscape, a flower, or a
particular quality of light and feel a deep sense of awe and admiration, together with the
quiet regret that the moment is temporary. It will change, fade, or disappear. That feeling
makes me want to pick up a brush and preserve something of the experience on canvas.
For me, painting is a way to hold onto a fleeting moment and give form to an inner
experience. Through my work, I hope to invite viewers to slow down, look again, and see
the familiar world from a different perspective. I want each painting to offer a moment of
reflection and a renewed appreciation for the beauty, mystery, and fragility of the world around us.