THE STORY BEHIND THE PENCILS
Hello, I’m Lena.
A scientist, wife, mom of two sweet red-haired girls, lifelong animal lover, caretaker of five pets — and rather unexpectedly, a colored-pencil artist.
From the laboratory to the drawing table.
For most of my life, I believed I simply could not draw. Then a Paint & Sip birthday party made me question that belief. What began as curiosity grew into something much bigger: a new part of myself I never knew was there.
Science and art might look like completely different worlds, but they fit naturally together for me. Research taught me patience, persistence, observation, problem-solving and respect for little details. Even in the lab, there is creativity — planning a synthesis, building compounds step by step, and sometimes watching beautiful colors appear along the way.
And somewhere along the way, drawing became my brain yoga — the place where everything slows down and I feel calm, focused and myself.
“Science taught me how to observe. Research taught me patience. Art gave those qualities a completely new purpose.”
MY WHY
Mom first, always.
My two girls are at the heart of everything I'm building. LinLiArt is the future I'm creating through something I truly love.
Why animals?
Animals have always been family to me. When I moved countries, all five of my pets came with me — family is not left behind.
I’m especially drawn to baby animals and families: their softness, expressions, relationships and quiet emotions. That is becoming the heart of LinLiArt.
LEARNING, LAYER BY LAYER
There is always more to discover.
My journey began in 2023 with acrylic painting as a hobby, learning with my teacher Anastasia Semash. In February 2026, I discovered just how realistic colored-pencil drawings could be. I found Bonny Snowdon’s fox trial and fell in love with the medium!
I’m still learning. Just as in research, there is always so much to learn and explore — and that’s what makes it fun.
THE FAMILY THAT INSPIRED IT ALL
Little moments, lifelong love.
An album of our pets, family and the everyday moments that made animals such an important part of my world.
A NEW BEGINNING
It's never too late to discover a new part of yourself.
LinLiArt is about more than realistic animals. It's about starting again at 36, challenging what I believed possible, and finding joy in the making. Come along for works in progress, little breakthroughs and the funny moments behind the easel.