Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, Tatyana Holodnova developed a passion for art early on, earning a bachelor’s degree in design from Stroganov State Moscow University. Her education provided a rigorous foundation in fine art, anatomy, painting, sculpture, and art history, preparing her for a lifelong journey in classical realism.

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Tatyana’s artistic vision found its true direction after she moved to the United States in 1996, leaving behind the uncertainty of the post-Soviet era, she settled in Northern California, where the natural beauty and newfound artistic freedom deeply influenced her work.

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In the United States, Tatyana continued refining her skills by taking workshops with renowned painter David Leffel and studying portrait techniques under Daniel Greene alongside a group of fellow artists. In 2013, she painted from life models at As If Studio, enjoying both the practice itself and the shared experience of working alongside other artists.

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Tatyana’s work is rooted in classical realism, drawing inspiration from the Renaissance and the 17th-century Dutch Masters. She strives for more than photographic accuracy—her compositions capture both tangible textures and an intangible sense of atmosphere, mystery, and emotion.

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Her paintings have been exhibited and sold in galleries across California, including Nevada City, Marysville, Yountville, and Carmel.

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Each of Tatyana’s paintings embodies a refined balance of technical mastery and thoughtful composition. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, her work appeals to collectors with a taste for both fine craftsmanship and elegance.

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What Collectors Say

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"The painting is a still life of a Blue Wedgwood porcelain cup and teapot with a candle, wine glass, and rose. The sense of refinement and intentional space invite the viewer into the picture. I particularly enjoy the high level of skill shown in the realism and detail of the objects. It is a pleasure to see it daily."

— Patricia Stahl

 

"We regularly sold her paintings. She created the kind of complex, high-quality art where you see new things every time you look at it. You just love it more and more as time passes."
— Cheryl Keahey, Camelot Gallery

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"Many people who saw my portrait told me that Tatyana has captured my soul."
— Rosemary Rexford

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"I want to thank you for your lovely work. The two oils I recently purchased are perfect in my home, and every day I delight in their harmonious compositions. The colors, the light, the forms—they all bring out the natural beauty of the objects they depict. They have added so much to my space: a living vibration that only real art possesses."
— Ana Varona