Biography

Elena was born and raised in Moscow, Russia, and graduated from the Moscow Architectural Institute (MArchI) with a Bachelor’s of Architecture degree. There she acquired skills of academic figurative drawing and later transformed these skills into her unique painting styles. Elena has lived and worked in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania for almost thirty years. During her first ten years in the United States, she worked as a painter in a stained glass studio whose commissions were from churches requiring large scale figurative paintings in various styles.

For a number of years, Elena worked as an art director at the non-profit organization Peaceful Living, teaching art to people with disabilities. Since 2019, Elena has been a member of Artessa Art Alliance, an award-winning Philadelphia area alliance of women visual artists. Elena was an art resident at Cheltenham Center for the Arts in 2022-2023, and is a frequent exhibitor in the art center’s exhibitions, and shows at art galleries of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania.


Artist Statement

“Riding Fear” is a reflection of my journey as an artist, where I believe art is not meant to conceal but to reveal the hidden aspects of oneself. My work is deeply personal, rooted in the exploration of the self, and driven by a desire to confront and transform the shadows within.Through my art, I delve into the unconscious, bringing to light emotions and experiences often buried beneath the surface. The title “Riding Fear” encapsulates this process: it is about befriending the energies of shame, guilt, denial, and fright, and witnessing their transformation into a powerful force of personal liberation. These themes run through my work, offering a narrative of vulnerability and strength.

My studio is located in the basement of my home, below the surface of everyday life, which is symbolic of self exploration. Getting into intuitive state is very important for my artistic process. To achieve it, I keep inventing different techniques whose purpose is always the same: to step into unknown while keeping within the parameters of the canvas, and to encounter unforeseen possibilities in the process of finding the way. Somehow I discovered that this method may bring elements of surprise that are so dear to me in life and paintings.

The pieces in this show represent the culmination of sixteen years of work, some being shown to public for the first time. It makes it a significant moment in my artistic journey.“Riding Fear” is not just a title but a manifesto for my work. Through these paintings, I hope to offer viewers a glimpse into my journey and perhaps inspire them to embark on their own path of self-exploration.


Exhibitions

Elena Drozdova

September 6th – 28th, 2024



Selected Works

Behind the Curtain
acrylic on Mylar, 36 x 48 inches