About the Artist
Get to know iia baloo and discover the story behind the landscapes that capture hope and transformation.
Name: АНАСТАСИЯ БАЛУШКИНА (iia baloo)
Born: Novosibirsk, 1990
Lives and works: Batumi, Georgia
Medium: Watercolor, Oil, Acrylic
Artist Statement
My work focuses on capturing the borderline states of nature - those fleeting moments when transformation is imminent. Through landscape painting, I explore themes of hope, renewal, and the promise of new beginnings.
Each piece represents a dialogue between the external world and inner emotional landscapes. I am particularly drawn to moments after storms, the first light of dawn, and the quiet anticipation that precedes change.
Working primarily in watercolor and oils, I aim to capture not just the visual beauty of these moments, but their emotional resonance - the way nature mirrors our own experiences of growth and transformation.
Education
- 2012 - Fine Arts Degree, Novosibirsk State University
- 2015 - Landscape Painting Masterclass, Tbilisi Art Academy
- 2018 - Watercolor Techniques Workshop, International Art Residency
Selected Exhibitions
- 2024 - “Borderline States” Solo Exhibition, Batumi Contemporary Gallery
- 2023 - “New Horizons” Group Show, Tbilisi Museum of Fine Arts
- 2022 - “Hope and Renewal” Online Exhibition
- 2021 - “Emerging Voices” Group Exhibition, Novosibirsk Art Center
Residencies & Awards
- 2023 - Artist Residency, Georgian National Academy of Sciences
- 2022 - Merit Award, International Landscape Competition
- 2021 - Emerging Artist Grant, Cultural Foundation of Georgia
Charitable Work
- Art therapy workshops for children in refugee centers
- Fundraising exhibitions for environmental conservation projects
- Free art classes for underprivileged youth in Batumi