Nika Zakharov

Nika Zakharov was born and formed as an artist in the warm and creative climate of southern Ukraine.  “The atmosphere of the city I grew up in was infused with electricity, poetry and excitement and has given rise to generations of writers, musicians and painters.”

Nika earned her five-year degree in painting and art history from Odessa Grekov School of Fine Arts, a legendary school founded in 1865. Countless hours were devoted to an in-depth study of painting, drawing, anatomy, sculpture, art history and art materials. Five years of classical realist training gave her a solid foundation and an understanding of art history, in a scope and format that are rarely found in less traditional art establishments. “The very walls of the school were steeped in tradition. The enthusiasm for the arts that my fellow students and teachers imbibed in me daily, was contagious and transforming.”

Upon her moving to the United States, Nika earned a BFA in printmaking from University of Florida. Since graduating, the artist has successfully engaged in sculpting, scenic and mural painting for theme parks and museums (DisneyWorld, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, The National Museum of the Marine Corps, The Smithsonian Natural History Museum and many others).

Since 2005 Nika has participated in numerous juried Art Festivals in Florida and the Southeastern U.S., in which her work has been recognized and received awards.  Over the last five years, Nika has been focusing her attention on painting and teaching. Be it using live models for portraits or painting landscape outdoors, the artist prefers working from observation. Nika has been a resident at the Tench Artist Studios for the last four years, running a weekly life drawing group and coordinating Tench Gallery shows.