Meet Alina SHimova

We were lucky to catch up with Alina SHimova recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alina, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

For me, creativity isn’t something I have to “keep alive” – it’s something I have to keep from taking over my entire life (laughs).

Ideas are always flowing. Sometimes it feels like they’re chasing me around. But I’ve learned that in order to stay creative in a healthy, sustainable way, I need balance. I need to live – not just make.

That means long walks, being in nature, silence, travel, and deep conversations. It means not rushing the process, even when I feel pressure to produce. It means stepping away from the canvas when something isn’t working – and letting life bring the missing piece.

I also try to stay rooted to what truly matters to me: the connection between humans, animals, nature, and something greater – spirit, energy, whatever name you want to give it. That’s where all of my work comes from. When I forget that, I lose touch with my voice.

So keeping my creativity alive isn’t about constantly pushing myself to make more. It’s about protecting the space where inspiration can land – and trusting that it always does.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

For those who may not be familiar with my work, I’m Alina Shimova, a contemporary figurative painter originally from Russia, now based in Miami. My art combines classical techniques with modern symbolism, spirituality, and pop culture influences, creating a distinct style that explores the deep connection between humans and the animal world.

I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember, but my artistic journey really took shape when I started blending traditional skills with my own symbolic storytelling. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different styles, but New Totems – my latest series – feels like a breakthrough for me. It’s a mix of everything I’ve worked toward: a refined technique, a unique concept, and a clear artistic voice.

At its core, my work reimagines the animal kingdom as a reflection of human nature – our strengths, struggles, and transformations. Animals aren’t just subjects in my paintings; they represent something bigger. Through my signature black-and-gold palette, I aim to create a sense of mystery and elegance, making each piece feel both timeless and modern.

I’m proud of how far my work has come and the recognition it has gained. I’ve already exhibited internationally, including at events during Art Basel Miami and Frieze Los Angeles 2025, and my pieces have found homes with collectors from different countries!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Honestly, when I think about what’s really carried me forward, three things stand out: perseverance, curiosity, and learning how to bring different worlds together.

First, perseverance. Being an artist isn’t this magical flow all the time. There are so many ups and downs – rejections, doubts, projects that don’t turn out the way you hoped. What made the difference for me was just not stopping. Even when I felt stuck, I kept painting, kept experimenting. And over time, those little steps built into real progress. So my advice: don’t wait until you “feel ready.” Just keep making, even if it’s messy. That persistence pays off.

Second, curiosity. I’ve always had this hunger to explore – mythology, spirituality, pop culture, nature. I let myself follow those threads, and that’s how New Totems was born. I think curiosity keeps the work alive. For anyone starting out, stay open. Read widely, travel if you can, talk to people outside your circle. You never know what will spark something.

And third, bringing worlds together. My work now is really a blend – classical painting techniques, a contemporary pop-art edge, and my passion for animals and conservation. At first, those things didn’t seem connected, but when I embraced them all, that’s when my style clicked. For others, I’d say: don’t hide the parts of you that seem “different.” Often, the combination is where your unique voice lives.

So, if I could sum it up: keep going when it’s hard, stay endlessly curious, and trust the value of your own mix of influences. That’s where the breakthroughs happen.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, absolutely. Collaboration is a huge part of my vision moving forward. My work has always been guided by a mission of environmental advocacy – really trying to bridge the natural and human worlds through art. That’s why I dedicate a portion of my art sales to conservation, and it’s also why I’m so passionate about partnering with organizations that are doing important work in this space. I’d love to collaborate with nature and animal protection groups – organizations like WWF, Greenpeace, or 1% for the Planet – but also with smaller grassroots efforts that are creating real impact on the ground. For me, the most exciting thing is when art can become a voice, or even a platform, for causes that matter.

At the same time, I’m also very inspired by collaborations that cross into other creative fields – fashion, music, design – with people and brands who share my vision, my mission, and my values. I believe when these worlds meet, the impact multiplies. I’m already working on several creative collaborations right now, and I’m excited because they will bring my work to a much wider audience in fresh and unexpected ways.

So if you’re reading this and you’re involved in conservation, animal welfare, or creative industries where you feel a shared mission, I’d love to connect. Let’s explore ways we can work together – whether that’s through exhibitions, fundraising, campaigns, or new creative projects that merge our styles and values. The goal is the same: to inspire, to raise awareness, and to remind people of the deep connection we share with nature.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shimovaart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shimova.art/
• Other: https://www.saatchiart.com/shimova

Image Credits

Alina Shimova