Russian-born painter Nina Mikhailenko grew up among the cultural elite of St. Petersburg, studying piano, ballet, and fine art before graduating from the renowned Mukhina Art Institute. She moved to the United States in 1974.

A member of Oil Painters of America, she works in oils, watercolors, pastels, charcoal, and ink, often painting on location around the world. Her award-winning works have been exhibited across the U.S. and Europe.

Her style draws inspiration from the 19th-century Russian Peredvishniki movement, known for its accessible, realist depictions of everyday life. Like them, Nina creates art that is both serious and approachable.

Many of her most popular pieces are large-scale commissions – murals depicting bullfights, jazz musicians, chefs, and lively social scenes that bring warmth and vitality to upscale interiors.

Though petite, Nina paints with great energy and precision. Her vibrant, detailed compositions convey motion and emotion, making her work both powerful and inviting.