The Boathouse Gallery for Fine Art

Elena Kolotusha

Born in Russia, Elena (Yelena) Kolotusha started her career as a Visual Arts teacher in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan (former Soviet Union), after graduating from Pedagogical University of Kazakhstan (Art Department).

From 1998 she resides with her family in Melbourne (Pakenham, VIC) Australia, where she continues to carry forward as an artist.

Elena's artworks mirror her interest in the natural world. Favorite themes are still lifes and close-up animal portraits. She prefers to work in a very precise and detailed style, mostly in acrylics, oils and colour pencils. Her meticulous, exquisite paintings feature natural objects such as shells, dry plants, driftwood, pebbles, sea glass and feathers. Through delicate and respectful handling the artist tries to reveal inherent beauty and characteristics, enabling the viewer to re-examine common place objects with a new awareness.

As a keen dressage rider in the past, Elena has a special love for painting and drawing horses. Her knowledge about equine anatomy and movements helps her to create unique pieces of art, which are collected by horse and art lovers around the globe.

From 2004 Elena took part in numerous group art shows and exhibitions and won numerous awards, most recent include:

• "Best Painting Award" - Bayside Art Show 2008 (Brighton,Vic),
• Equitana Asia Pacific Art Prize 2008 - finalist,
• Best Work any medium "- Herald Sun Camberwell Art Show 2010,
• Best Painting Award" - Spring Exhibition 2010 - AGRA Galleries, Camberwell,
• Ex Arte Equinus 4"- International Art Competition 2010-2011 - finalist,
• Best Still Life" - Camberwell Art Show 2011,
• Local Artist Award'' and ''People's Choice Award'' - Yakkerboo Festival 2011 - Pakenham Vic,
• Australian Artist" magazine Art Prize Challenge N.44 - 2nd Prize winner,
• Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize" 2011 SA Museum - finalist and "Highly commended''.

Her artworks were published in "Australian Artist" magazine, "Artist's Palette" magazine, "Ex Arte Equinus 4" book (2011).