The World of Vera Smirnova

Vera Smirnova was born in Russia in 1966 and graduated from the prestigious Palekh Art School in 1986, where she mastered the intricate art of Russian lacquer miniatures—a tradition renowned worldwide for its detail, delicacy, and storytelling power. Coming from a family of accomplished artists, she began painting as a toddler, developing a fluency with brush and pigment that would carry her across genres and borders.

A member of the Professional Union of Artists of the Russian Federation, Smirnova has exhibited extensively throughout Russia, with her works appearing in major art publications such as Palekh and Palekhians, Russian Lacquer Miniatures, and Palekh Masters. Her range spans from illustrating classic fairy tales to creating official portraits of public figures, including former Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov. Her work combines classical training with a poetic imagination, often drawing on Russian folklore, literature, and historical themes.

Since relocating to the United States in 2016, Smirnova has expanded her creative practice beyond miniatures to include full-scale paintings, expressive portraits, and public murals. In fact, she is largely responsible for the unique visual atmosphere of our store: her vibrant paintings grace our walls, her whimsical shelf murals charm visitors of all ages, and her sweeping mermaid mural in the back of the shop has become something of a local landmark. It’s rare to find an artist equally at home painting on a canvas the size of a fingernail as on one that spans an entire wall—but Smirnova’s skill, versatility, and vision make it seem effortless.

We are proud to showcase her work here—art that is as rich in tradition as it is alive with personal expression.