Lily Pad Gallery West | Through 6/1 | Milwaukee, WI

Enchanting Visions

On display at Lily Pad Gallery West are stimulating visuals brought to life by painter Yana Movchan. Her solo show, Expression & Enchantment,is a carefully curated collection that explores the interplay between memory, nature and imagination. In approximately 12 new pieces, the artist builds her whimsical world by combining lush textures, vibrant botanicals and a sense of movement.

Rabbit and Poppies, oil on canvas, 12 x 16"

“Movchan transports us to a realm where hyper realistic figures intertwine with nature, creating powerful symbolic narratives,” says gallery owner Alan Perlstein. “Her meticulously-crafted works combine classical techniques with surrealistic elements, inviting reflection on themes of innocence and transformation. A graduate of the Ukrainian Art Academy, Yana has exhibited her award-winning art across Europe and Canada, now residing in Halifax.”

For the show, the artist shares that she’s using old techniques to make her paintings look “airy.” She adds, “I am covering canvases three times with ochre and [eventually] achieving a very smooth surface. I’m also using many layers to create more depth. It gives me more room to edit fine details. When I was in academy, I was experimenting with different styles of art, but at the end, it felt like I wasted my time. I was always returning to realism—my big passion!”

Floral with Parrots, oil on canvas, 48 x 36"

In her intricately-detailed show piece Floral with Parrots, the artist gave herself permission to work large—allowing time to play with color and texture. “There’s a great variety of different flowers, fruits, birds and butterflies that gave me [the inspiration to] create a beautiful [piece],” she says. “This composition, like life, includes little bit of everything. Some flowers are big and bright, like some moments in our lives, [while others] are blending in with the surrounding and washing away.”

Movchan also notes that she added imperfect shapes, leaves and flowers to make the work beautifully imperfect.

English Girl, oil on canvas, 16 x 16"

We see the artist incorporating many of the same elements in the painting Rabbit and Poppies, while making her main subject exactly what the title suggests—a rabbit. “I [created] this painting with a very unusual combination of colors,” Movchan explains. “Red is power, and purple is wisdom, giving an interesting flavor to the painting. The soft black and white [rabbit] is seemingly enjoying its surroundings.”

About her striking portrait English Girl,Movchan says, “My inspiration for this was two British designers, Carrie Lamb and Burberry. Burgundy and beige, with a touch of black and white, provides balance in this composition. The painting, both powerful and peaceful, depicts a girl surrounded by beautiful things. She is connected to nature around her; to butterflies, animals and gems. The beauty of her garden nurtures her soul, it provides purpose and strength as she navigates her journey. Beauty is her music!”