Originally from Russia, pastel and watercolor artist Mariya Yankovich grew up in Ukraine and met her husband, Dr. Andrei Yankovich, a pulmonary specialist, in Belarus. After members of her family had relocated to the United States, the couple followed suit, and she says they’re very happy about their move to Florida 12 years ago.
Naturally saddened by the state of affairs in Ukraine, she laments, “They have destroyed so much of the country. A lot of my friends have left Ukraine; some now live in the United States.”
Although it was hard to leave, she knew that doing so was essential for their wellbeing.
“Everybody chooses their own way. The outcome will be the best for you.”
The transition was not an easy one though, as they needed to requalify for positions they had previously held in Ukraine. And, she says, finding well-paying jobs was initially difficult.
“We both had at least four jobs,” says Yankovich. “I am an accountant, and here I am moving around boxes for FedEx. But it has all worked out.”
Once settled, she began working on her artwork in 2019, which she states has been an absolute pleasure.
“I am so grateful to God that he gives me this pleasure. Every day it is different scenery, a different landscape. The greenery here is just marvelous,” says Yankovich, who adds that Florida’s beautiful blooms are some of her favorite subjects.
“I take many photos of flowers, or a scene that excites me, and I head back home where I paint. This is Florida, and it is hot.”
Although she initially started out painting with oils, Yankovich says she discovered that she wasn’t as happy using that medium as it took too long to dry, so she switched to pastels and watercolors.
Although they are often considerably pricier, she purchases quality brands of watercolors, pastels and brushes, explaining that she appreciates their consistency and superiority, noting that it makes a significant difference in her work.
Yankovich is precise in her color selections, often taking a few pieces of the pastels or watercolors to mix together into a color all her own. And, despite the fact that she believes watercolors can be harder to work with than oils, she still likes it as a medium very much.
“But you need to practice. Practice makes perfect. It’s the knowing of the medium and what you do with it,” says Yankovich.
The vibrancy of her paintings clearly demonstrates that she knows how to use the mediums to their best advantage. Whereas many pastel and watercolor paintings have more muted colors, Yankovich utilizes a bright and dynamic color palette.
Like many artists she says that when she first starts a painting, she generally steps back from it for a while. She sometimes even starts another painting, before returning to the first one sometime later.
“I procrastinate and try to start two pieces at the same time,” she explains, commenting that while the process can be complicated, she finds it to be cathartic and fulfilling.
“I think art is a talent you need to practice every day,” says Yankovich.
On a recent trip to Italy, she was amazed by the remarkable self-taught talents of renowned artists such as Michelangelo, an extraordinary Renaissance sculptor, painter and architect.
“Michelangelo did not have proper art training. People did this artistry, and they did it for the church. Michelangelo started working in art early. He was only 23 when he did La Pieta, Mother of God and Jesus.
“Artists couldn’t work other than for the church, because no one really knew these people, and no one else would employ them.”
As to her own motivation, she says, “I do this as a gift to someone; I do something they will enjoy.”
A member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, Yankovich recently delivered 30 paintings for them to display as part of the Cultural Council’s Art in Public Places initiative.
“I had a lot of paintings and was happy to put them in the courthouse for people’s viewing, enjoyment and possible purchase.”
Her solo exhibit, Balancing the Books: From Ledgers to Canvases, is on view through Nov. 14 at the Indian River County Courthouse.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
