Interview with
Tatiana Rhinevault
Painter, Illustrator and Restorer
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Tatiana Rhinevault was born in Moscow. As a child who grew up in an environment brimming with museums, galleries and theaters, she garnered a rich exposure and true appreciation for the arts from a very young age. Her professional artistic pursuits began at the age of seventeen when she worked as a make-up artist for the Vakhtangov Theater in Moscow. However, her ultimate dream was to become a painter. So, Tatiana pursued and won a very competitive and highly desired spot as a student at the renowned Moscow Institute. After earning a Master’s Degree in Fine Art, she found work restoring icons in Moscow's old churches. In 1990, she met her husband while working on a project for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. She moved to the U.S. in 1991, and she currently lives with her husband and son in Hyde Park, N.Y.
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Tatiana is a painter, illustrator and restorer. Her style is Russian impressionism, and many of her works celebrate the Renaissance era. Tatiana works in several mediums, including oil, acrylic and watercolor. Her paintings radiate with rich, bold colors and pronounced strokes. Subject matter includes musical instruments, paintings within paintings, landscapes and windows as part of still life, which also serve as a gateway to the outdoors of Europe. Her newest piece, titled Broken Wing, is a powerful depiction of the agony and loss of hope that children suffer in war-torn countries. It was recently published in International Contemporary Artist (Athens, Greece).
Her work has been exhibited and sold throughout Europe, including Hungary, Yugoslavia, Spain, Holland, France, Italy and Greece. Tatiana’s paintings were also exhibited at the acclaimed Gallery Revel in the SoHo area of Manhattan as well as several regional and local sites throughout lower New York.
Tatiana is also an illustrator. Her drawings appear in Hidden History of the Mid-Hudson Valley (The History Press, 2011), Hidden History of the Lower Hudson Valley (The History Press, 2012) and several children’s books.
Tatiana enjoys teaching and sharing her unique experiences and knowledge. She offers classes for both homeschooled children as well as adults. She is intimately involved in her community. She has worked on projects for non-profit organizations and has used her expertise as a volunteer for programs supporting the arts in her local school district.
Her work has been exhibited and sold throughout Europe, including Hungary, Yugoslavia, Spain, Holland, France, Italy and Greece. Tatiana’s paintings were also exhibited at the acclaimed Gallery Revel in the SoHo area of Manhattan as well as several regional and local sites throughout lower New York.
Tatiana is also an illustrator. Her drawings appear in Hidden History of the Mid-Hudson Valley (The History Press, 2011), Hidden History of the Lower Hudson Valley (The History Press, 2012) and several children’s books.
Tatiana enjoys teaching and sharing her unique experiences and knowledge. She offers classes for both homeschooled children as well as adults. She is intimately involved in her community. She has worked on projects for non-profit organizations and has used her expertise as a volunteer for programs supporting the arts in her local school district.
Myrna Beth Haskell, managing editor, visited Tatiana to discuss her experiences growing up in Russia and how she has connected with her community in Hyde Park, N.Y.
When I arrived, Tatiana had an array of cheese and crackers, fresh fruits and teas to snack on while we chatted. Her smile is infectious, just as I remembered. I had met her several years ago while volunteering for a regional arts program. Her home is adorned with some of her incredible paintings. Her studio is out back, a separate structure from the house. After the interview, we headed there, and I was privileged to see some more of her work - both completed and in progress.
You grew up in Moscow. Is there anything about your childhood that you would like to share?
When I was young, my teachers recognized that I had talent. So, they would ask me to paint propaganda murals on the classroom walls. You see, I thought this was fun at the time because I got to do what I loved to do. It was a break from the normal day. I was surrounded by art, so it was a part of me.
In what ways has your art helped you connect with your local community? Have you been involved in any non-profit or charitable projects?
I have been involved with Abilities First, a not-for-profit organization which helps to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities. I enjoyed volunteering my art skills for the “Leaf a Legacy” campaign.* I was one of several artists from the Hudson Valley region of New York who created whimsical paintings on molded fiberglass maple leaves. The leaves were really large sculptures, and it was a fun project to be involved in.
Several years ago, I participated as a volunteer judge in the category of visual arts for the Taconic Region Reflections Program. This is an art contest sponsored by National PTA. Students enter in several categories: visual arts, dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition and photography. It is an opportunity for students from elementary school through high school to participate in a themed art contest. I was happy to talk to the students about their work.
Your love of teaching is apparent as you talk about your students. Have you helped your students in any special way given your unique background and the perspective you bring having learned your craft in Russia?
I believe that I really help my students by exposing them to different styles. In Russia, we started with the old masters. It was a very conservative and traditional approach. There was a strong emphasis on line and composition. American art tends to be more contemporary. Students begin to find their own style when they are exposed to diverse styles and perspectives.
Besides painting, do you have any other passions?
My other passion is music. I am a cellist. My older brother is a musician, too. He always talked to me about music, and I was inspired to play. I express my love of music and the beautiful movement of musicians as they play in many of my paintings.
*Editor’s Note: Abilities First “Leaf a Legacy campaign”: This community art project launched in 2010 to raise awareness and support for the people the organization was helping. The organization chose the figure of a maple leaf to represent the Hudson Valley’s exquisite fall foliage and the sugar maple tree (the official state tree of New York).
When I arrived, Tatiana had an array of cheese and crackers, fresh fruits and teas to snack on while we chatted. Her smile is infectious, just as I remembered. I had met her several years ago while volunteering for a regional arts program. Her home is adorned with some of her incredible paintings. Her studio is out back, a separate structure from the house. After the interview, we headed there, and I was privileged to see some more of her work - both completed and in progress.
You grew up in Moscow. Is there anything about your childhood that you would like to share?
When I was young, my teachers recognized that I had talent. So, they would ask me to paint propaganda murals on the classroom walls. You see, I thought this was fun at the time because I got to do what I loved to do. It was a break from the normal day. I was surrounded by art, so it was a part of me.
In what ways has your art helped you connect with your local community? Have you been involved in any non-profit or charitable projects?
I have been involved with Abilities First, a not-for-profit organization which helps to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities. I enjoyed volunteering my art skills for the “Leaf a Legacy” campaign.* I was one of several artists from the Hudson Valley region of New York who created whimsical paintings on molded fiberglass maple leaves. The leaves were really large sculptures, and it was a fun project to be involved in.
Several years ago, I participated as a volunteer judge in the category of visual arts for the Taconic Region Reflections Program. This is an art contest sponsored by National PTA. Students enter in several categories: visual arts, dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition and photography. It is an opportunity for students from elementary school through high school to participate in a themed art contest. I was happy to talk to the students about their work.
Your love of teaching is apparent as you talk about your students. Have you helped your students in any special way given your unique background and the perspective you bring having learned your craft in Russia?
I believe that I really help my students by exposing them to different styles. In Russia, we started with the old masters. It was a very conservative and traditional approach. There was a strong emphasis on line and composition. American art tends to be more contemporary. Students begin to find their own style when they are exposed to diverse styles and perspectives.
Besides painting, do you have any other passions?
My other passion is music. I am a cellist. My older brother is a musician, too. He always talked to me about music, and I was inspired to play. I express my love of music and the beautiful movement of musicians as they play in many of my paintings.
*Editor’s Note: Abilities First “Leaf a Legacy campaign”: This community art project launched in 2010 to raise awareness and support for the people the organization was helping. The organization chose the figure of a maple leaf to represent the Hudson Valley’s exquisite fall foliage and the sugar maple tree (the official state tree of New York).
To learn more about Tatiana's work, please visit her website.
