Elena Makarova-Levina
Samara - Russian Federation
Elena Makarova-Levina - Fine Artist
Member Since: 10/09/2011
I was born in Donetsk, Ukraine.
My creative activity has started as soon as I learned how to walk. As long as I remember, I always painted pictures or made something of plasticine. For example, I just loved to spend some time behind our chiffonier, the back of which was covered in sketches. This fact remained unnoticed for some time, but when my parents found out, naturally, they scolded me. I only painted people. They all were so different and that’s what attracted me.
At the age of 12 I joined the fine arts studio of Donetsk. The day I entered it was a great occasion for me. On my way back from the studio I bought the tastiest ice-cream, and I felt like if I was almost flying. I was really inspired. In the studio not only I used to paint and draw, but also to make puppets. Since childhood I was fond of theater, that’s why I made puppets for performances. Nina Shakhov, an amazing person, an excellent pedagogue and organizer, was my teacher. She used to arrange exhibitions in Ukraine, Russia and abroad. I actively participated in those exhibitions.
Then, while still working in the studio, I entered an art school. In 1980 I joined the Donetsk College of Art. I loved to study and had excellent marks, but I was a bit rebellious since I despised any attempts to interfere in my art process. I would always do everything my way.
The love of theater defined my future – I began to work as a designer in the Donetsk Puppet Theatre. The staff of the theatre was marvelous, headed by a talented director Boris Smirnov. I used to make a lot of puppets and participated in all the theatrical performances. Later I was asked to become the art director of the Krasnoturyinsk Puppet Theatre. And then I decided to become completely independent and to start my own business. I opened my own at studio specializing in all kinds of puppets, theatre puppets included.
In 1996 along with my husband Sergey Levin I created a puppet theater called “Petrushkin Balagan”(Punch’s Show). The theatre is still at work, bringing joy to lots of children. While working on numerous productions, I kept painting.
I’m a member of the Artists Trade Union of Russia.
My main occupations now are painting and drawing.
Wish me luck!
