Iryna Mazepa - A Biography
Iryna Mazepa's relationship with art began at an early age. A consistent participant in extracurricular art activities throughout her elementary education, she eagerly lent her budding artistic talent to school projects, ranging from painting for the school newspaper to creating vibrant banners. The seeds of her passion for art were sown during these formative years.
At the tender age of 13, Iryna entered the esteemed Korostyshiv Children's Art School. Over four captivating years, she graduated from this institution, having fallen irrevocably in love with the delicate, fluid medium of watercolors.
Following her high school education, Iryna honed her skill further at the Mykhailo Boichuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative-Applied Arts and Design. Here, during intense summer courses, she submerged herself in her craft, allowing her relationship with watercolors to deepen further.
The ensuing years saw Iryna expand her knowledge and expertise at the Zhytomyr Technological College of Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. Simultaneously, she engaged in correspondence studies at her beloved Mykhailo Boichuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative-Applied Arts and Design. Though family circumstances prevented her from completing the latter, she did earn a junior specialist degree from the Zhytomyr Technological College.
Iryna then turned a new leaf in her academic journey, immersing herself in the realm of industrial design at the National Forestry University of Ukraine. Even as she obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in this field, she kept her artistic spirit alive, continuing to partake in art classes throughout her tenure at the university.
Nature serves as the guiding muse in Iryna's art, with the myriad forms and hues of the outdoors feeding her creativity. Her artistic vision is largely influenced by her admiration for Marney Ward, whose work resonates deeply with her. However, it was the unwavering support from her family, particularly her young daughter Solomiya, that provided the impetus for Iryna to unlock her full artistic potential.
Iryna's journey has been one of relentless dedication, passion, and an enduring love for art that finds expression through her work. As she readies for her first exhibition, she stands poised on the brink of a promising artistic career, her heart filled with gratitude for those who have been part of her journey.