Tell us about yourself—how would you describe who you are today?
I was born in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. My personal experiences with immigration and loss have shaped both my worldview and my art. With a background in Fine Arts and experience working as a Production Artist, painting has become the way I process life: grief, resilience, memory, and the small joys that keep me grounded.
What inspired you to pursue the path you’re on? Was there a moment, a person, or a feeling that sparked it?
What drives my work is the hope that someone might see a piece and feel understood, comforted, or a little less alone. I want my art to echo the emotional landscapes we all move through.
Looking back, what experiences or moments really shaped who you’ve become?
Art has always been a way of healing for me. I paint my inner world: everything from trauma and healing to the small joys in my life: my dogs, my hedgehog, and my husband. Whenever my mental health has gone through difficult moments, such as witnessing my mother’s death, I have picked up a brush and created something that could make me smile again.
Every journey has its obstacles—what challenges have tested you the most?
Today we are constantly influenced by social media trends and pressured to succeed, while art is truly a form of self-exploration that cannot be measured by success.
When things didn’t make sense, or the world seemed against you, what kept you going?
The realization that I want my art to echo the emotional landscapes we all move through. All I can do is continue creating and stay true to that purpose.
Can you share a moment when doubt turned into determination or success?
A moment of doubt became determination when I realized that success should not be the goal of creating art. Instead, I want to encourage artists to create from the heart: freely, honestly, and without measuring their work only through external success.Your Achievements & Influence
What accomplishment makes you most proud?
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is leading my art workshops. I strive to create psychologically safe spaces, which is deeply important to me because of my own lived experiences. Living with PTSD has shaped the way I approach art and community. I bring empathy, patience, and a strong focus on the creative process rather than just the final outcome. Sharing the healing power of art feels like a quiet miracle to me.
Beyond accolades, how do you define success for yourself?
As long as my work helps even one person feel supported or understood, I consider that a meaningful accomplishment.
Is there a time your work made a real impact on someone or a community?
I am honored to have been selected for Art and Woman, a project by Arts to Hearts Project that shares the untold stories of women’s lives. The project highlights both dreams and challenges that shape each artist’s creative journey.
What advice would you give your younger self—or young women trying to find their way?
“Let your work grow from authenticity rather than expectation. Your truth will always matter more than numbers.”
Are there habits, routines, or mindsets that help you stay motivated and focused?
“Fifteen minutes of drawing is better than zero. Keep drawing, painting, and creating. And most importantly- be kind to your work.”
Do you have a mantra, quote, or belief that guides you every day?
“Through art, I learned to heal, make sense of pain, and find myself again.”
What dreams, goals, or projects excite you right now?
The endless possibilities for young artists truly inspire me. One of my biggest goals is to find and help build a supportive art community where mental health and creativity can coexist and uplift one another.
How do you hope your story inspires the next generation of women?
Everyone is afraid of failure and that’s okay. Every time you fall, you gain the opportunity to rise again.
If you could have lunch with any woman, past or present, who would it be and why?
My mother. I would love the chance to tell her that I never gave up on my dreams.
What’s one surprising thing about you most people wouldn’t guess?
My passion for art once led me to take taekwondo classes so I could safely commute from art school.
-Lera Bersenova
Follow Lera’s creative journey on instagram→ @little.blue.wave
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