About Tatyana
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.
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.
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.
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.
Her paintings have been exhibited and sold in galleries across California, including Nevada City, Marysville, Yountville, and Carmel.
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.
What Collectors Say
"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
"Many people who saw my portrait told me that Tatyana has captured my soul."
— Rosemary Rexford
"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
