Oil on canvas · Imaginary worlds
OksanaZhuravskikh
I am an oil painter creating imaginary worlds where architecture, nature and fantasy meet. Through light, colour and atmosphere, I invite viewers into mysterious places and stories that exist beyond reality.
Featured Painting
The Train into the Unknown
Oil on canvas · 70 × 100 cm · Landscape
A mysterious steam train crosses an ancient stone bridge beneath a moonlit sky. Beyond the forest rises a Gothic castle, while an owl watches silently from the shadows.
The painting invites the viewer into an imaginary world where architecture, nature and fantasy intertwine. The train becomes a symbol of a journey into the unknown — a passage between reality and imagination.
Created in oil on canvas, the artwork brings together intricate architectural details, atmospheric light and a sense of mystery. Every element encourages the viewer to imagine what lies beyond the next turn of the railway.
In the studio
Biography
Oksana Zhuravskikh
Oksana Zhuravskikh is a Russian artist working primarily with oil painting. She holds a bachelor's degree in Interior Design, an educational background that has influenced her interest in architecture, spatial composition and the relationship between light and form.
Her artistic practice focuses on creating imaginary worlds where architectural structures, natural landscapes and elements of fantasy come together. Castles, bridges, mysterious journeys and atmospheric skies become parts of visual stories that invite viewers to look beyond everyday reality.
Working with oil on canvas, Oksana pays particular attention to colour, texture, intricate details and the emotional atmosphere of each composition. Her paintings explore the boundary between the familiar and the impossible, transforming recognisable places into spaces of imagination.
Through her art, she seeks to evoke curiosity, wonder and a sense of discovery, allowing each viewer to find a personal story within the painted world.
Painted as if remembered — not observed, but recalled.
- Practice
- Painting & drawing
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Themes
- Imaginary worlds, architecture, fantasy, atmosphere
- Available for
- Exhibitions, gallery collaborations, private collections and artist residencies
Artistic Vision
Every painting begins with a place that does not exist yet.
My paintings are an exploration of imaginary worlds inspired by architecture, nature, memories and dreams. I am fascinated by the possibility of transforming familiar places into something mysterious and unexpected.
Architecture plays a central role in my work. Castles, towers, bridges and old streets become the foundations of new visual stories. Through colour, light and atmosphere, I seek to create places that feel both real and impossible.
France is an important source of inspiration for my artistic journey. Its architectural heritage, historic towns and cultural traditions encourage me to explore new ideas and develop my own visual language.
I want each painting to become a world that viewers can enter, explore and interpret through their own imagination.
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Imaginary Worlds
I create imaginary places where reality and fantasy meet, inviting viewers to discover stories beyond the visible world.
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Mysterious Architecture
Castles, towers, bridges and historic buildings become the foundations of mysterious worlds shaped by imagination.
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Fantasy
My paintings explore the space between dreams and reality, transforming familiar landscapes into extraordinary places.
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Atmospheric Storytelling
Through dramatic skies, changing light, colour and intricate details, I create visual stories that leave room for personal interpretation.
Creative Process
My creative process begins with an idea, a sketch or an architectural detail that captures my imagination. I develop the composition through drawing, exploring perspective, light and the relationships between different elements.
Working with oil paints, I gradually build colour, atmosphere and texture. As the painting develops, I refine its details and sometimes change the original composition to create a stronger sense of depth and mystery.
Each artwork is a journey of experimentation, patience and discovery.
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Inspiration
My paintings begin with an idea, an image or a place that inspires my imagination. I explore different possibilities before developing the composition.
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Composition
I develop the structure of the painting through drawing, carefully considering perspective, architectural forms and the balance between different elements.
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Painting
Using oil paints, I gradually develop colour, light and atmosphere. I work on the relationships between architectural details, landscapes and the overall mood of the scene.
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Final Details
I refine textures, highlights and small details, bringing the imaginary world together. The painting is complete when its atmosphere and visual story feel whole.
Oil, patience, and a preference for the hour when day becomes uncertain.
Selected works · oil on canvas
Gallery
Select an image to view
Contact
For acquisitions, exhibition proposals, portfolio requests and competition enquiries — please write directly. Every message is read and answered personally.
Send an enquiry
Interested in acquiring an artwork, discussing an exhibition or exploring a collaboration? I'd love to hear from you.
