Artist Bio

Elena Stebakova is a Canadian-based artist whose lifelong passion for drawing and painting began in childhood. From an early age, she was fascinated by how the variety and diversity of the world around her could be captured on paper. Some of her favorite early childhood memories are of painting in her family’s garden on a warm summer day. The bliss and wonder of those early moments continue to guide her creative practice today.

Elena earned her degree in Fine Arts and Art Education from the Art and Graphic Faculty of Moscow State Pedagogical University. During the five-year program, she received extensive studio training rooted in the classical academic tradition of drawing and painting, together with studies in art history and art education.

Before returning to traditional media, Elena spent nearly two decades as a freelance digital illustrator and stock artist, creating artwork for children’s books, educational materials, and promotional projects. Despite working digitally for many years, she always hoped that one day she would return to traditional media and the tactile, hands-on process she loved.

Returning to traditional media, especially watercolor, proved both challenging and deeply rewarding. Elena continues to explore contemporary watercolor practices that open new creative possibilities in her work. In addition to her studio practice, she has been teaching art to students from elementary through high school since 2019.