About Maija Nochevnaya

I was born in Norilsk, city in the arctic northern part of Russia (former USSR), in the engineers’ family. In 2006 I moved to Finland to study and stayed in the country to create my life as a mature person with open eyes. In search of my life path I studied architecture, miningengineering, graphic design, garden and park. 

In the winter of 2024, during the course of experiments, I developed a new painting technique for myself, in which I am currently working. 

I spent many years gardening, proximity to nature fills me with sublime strength, life inspires me. I paint a lot of flowers, wild and houseplants. Female heroines covered in floral scarves- my slavic roots speak through them. I fill my work with ornaments and shapes, merge day and night, and add hidden meaning.

My canvases, picture days and months and years, all are painted with different moods and hold memories.

My project “Marfas Dogs” is precious to my soul. It was the result of my experimentation with self expression. In 2010 the first dog was born, back then I immersed myself in art, being inspired by artists of the past. At the time I was captivated by Yves Klein and his “Living brushes”. I decided to become a “Living brush”. It was an amusing activity, I didn't think it would result in anything meaningful, but instead a miracle occurred.

The creation of my dogs is fairly messy, and unpredictable, the dogs are born by their own initiative, I have no control over that process. I can only feel when the time is right for their commencion. If the process is forced, the result is dismal, and the canvas becomes the base for another painting. 

But when the time is right, when I feel a great creation coming within every cell in my body, I begin preparing for the birth of a new dog. My body becomes a “Living brush”, alongside with relaxing music, meditative dancing, dimmed lights, black acrylic, a paint roller and full trust. 

The print of my back, shoulders, shoulder blades, spine and glutes, you can often pick them apart, they are the body of my dogs. Their faces and moods are immediately obvious to me, a few brush strokes manifest my vision and they become obvious to others. 

My dogs are disfigured, odd, and clumsy, but endearing and touching, their sight pierces your heart.

My art is my beloved child, I named her Marfa, a beautiful female name, with it I sign all of my work.

Marfa is a lively, ever changing child. I take great delight in observing her, spending time with her is always captivating.