Maria Menshikova is an illustrator and art director primarily focusing on digital media. She experiments with traditional media such as acrylic and watercolor, and incorporates textural elements to give her work a more tangible look and feel. Subtle visual metaphors in her work deepen the psychological aspects, and act as a funnel to convey a message linked to the subconscious. She explores emotion, conflict, and nostalgia throughout sensual portraiture and atmospheric scenes, always with a touch of mystery and sometimes chthonic, folklore motifs.
As an art director & creative she specializes in art, concepts & design for a broad spectrum of media: movies, commercials, fashion, editorial and brands communication. Experienced in supervising teams of creative professionals and developing projects from concepts till the project completion. 12+ years or experience in illustration, art direction, advertising and video production.
Her illustration work is featured in film campaigns such as Suspiria, The LightHouse, Dumbo, Mank and others.
Born in Russia, she is a self-taught artist that began her career at the age of 14. She then gathered a vast amount of experience working at various design and advertising agencies as a creative illustrator in Russia, and Netherlands. Currently resides in Los Angeles, US.
She has shown in galleries internationally including exhibitions in Tokyo and Moscow.
