Yelena Kimelblat

Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Yelena immigrated to the United States in 1988. Yelena never formally learned how to paint. She acquired a dual Master's Degree in Geophysics and Computer Science and working in the field of Information Technology. Yelena Kimelblat started to paint in 2008 and art became a means for Yelena to share with others her vision of life. Yelena does not call herself an artist. She is avoiding any identification, any, even the most pretty labels. She was not afraid to look inside herself – into the void, where you can perish or get everything. Yelena got everything – she started to paint. Yelena says: "I never painted before in my life and couldn't even imagine that I would start. The root of my creativity stems from a desire to live a long life free from unhappiness, awe before the awesome beauty of the natural world and the desire to include this beauty within my own life and say to others "I see it this way!" Significant role in my artistic development is playing close friendship with People Artist of Ukraine, Academic Mikhail Turovsky. He inspired me to take brush and touch the canvas. "Inspiration is contagious - once inspired you are capable of anything." Mikhail Turovsky: "Yelena's paintings belong to absolutely new genre... This genre is very much understood by the people who are absolutely new in the world of visual art. Yelena has the uncanny ability to see the unexpected side of the plain and the ordinary. One cannot arrive at this place with reason and logic. Her metaphoric thinking leads her to decisions that are so far from ordinary human associations that it amazes me beyond words, one who has seen everything within my long life of creativity. That which Yelena is doing doesn't fit within the understanding of artistic movements and schools of thought. She does not belong to any movement. She is on her own. She gives birth to her art pieces somehow naturally, and they naturally communicate to us that which belongs only to her: her visions of things and happenings - her inner world. This perspective finds a connection with the people who view Yelena's paintings. She is developing her own audience. I think this is happening because the joy of being with which Yelena lives and works is being conveyed to people. " In the beginning of 2013 Yelena joined the group “Art of Inspiration-Vladimir Andreyev and His Friends” – international collaboration of talented artists, sculptors, and photographers established by Vladimir Andreyev. “Art of Inspiration” is exhibiting art works internationally as well as embodies idea that creativity is a state of Love, enlightenment, and self-awareness. She worked closely with team leader, gifted graphic designer and photographer Vladimir Andreyev in preparation of her first art album “The Paintings of Yelena Kimelblat”. Yelena’s paintings are on display at private collections all over the world as well as in Columbia University Medical Center in New York, where she participated at 4th Annual Art Exhibit in May-July, 2013 and received “Best in show” award. Recently Yelena exhibited her art works at Museum of Russian Art, Jersey City, NJ. Exhibition was very well received and as a result of it Yelena was invited to collaborate with “Mimi Ferzt” gallery - one of the most prestigious art galleries in SoHo, NYC. Art is encountered differently by everyone and if this encounter occurs then whether you are the viewer or the creator your soul and mind become richer, life more fulfilled, and maybe more joyful. For Yelena Kimelblat, this encounter already happened.