“Painting is a pursuit of intelligence,” says Regina Lyubovnaya.
For this artist and educator, painting is a process of discovery, each layer bringing her closer to the form her vision demands.
It’s a philosophy that has shaped her more than 25-year career. But Lyubovnaya’s path didn’t begin with the certainty of a child prodigy. Rather, it was a slow awakening—a quiet appreciation for museums and symphonies in her native Russia that formed early in life.
By 15, that appreciation had blossomed into a calling. When she moved to the United States from Moscow at 16, she pursued it with focus and passion, eventually discovering the instruction of artist David Leffel, whose influence continues to guide her work today.
Leffel is well known to art students worldwide for his bestselling books and instructional videos. Regarded as a modern master among peers and collectors—even being compared to Rembrandt—his focus is the movement of light as it flows and drifts across surfaces, likely an inspiration for Lyubovnaya’s own exploration of light in her work.
Discipline and Daring in the Studio
Lyubovnaya’s studio life is a testament to her discipline. She commits to seven hours of painting a day, complemented by teaching four-hour classes twice a week in her home studio in Los Angeles as well as by Zoom and pre-recorded classes. It’s in this space that she engages in her daring artistic process.
Foregoing preliminary sketches, she works alla prima, using only oil paints and her brush to sketch directly onto the canvas. “It’s riskier,” she admits, “but it’s part of the search process.” Each brushstroke starts in uncertainty, gradually becoming more accurate—as if Lyubovnaya is observing through figurative binoculars her subject's approach.
Her method spans three to four days, returning to the canvas to reevaluate, simplify, and unify the elements until the image becomes whole.
Artful Manner of Teaching
Many of Lyubovnaya's students are lifelong learners drawn to the creative process, while others are professional artists seeking to sharpen their skills. In addition to her studio and online instruction, Lyubovnaya conducts outdoor workshops throughout the country and the world. This year's workshops will take place in Arizona and Georgia, but most notably she will instruct local artists on the serene island of Malta on the Mediterranean Sea.
Capturing Pure Connection
A profound connection to children and animals runs through Lyubovnaya’s work. As a mother of two and an animal lover, she sees a pure love connection in these relationships, an emotion she masterfully translates into art.
Her painting Water Break reflects this theme: a daydreaming girl with a horse, inspired by the countryside charm of The Woodlands. The piece is a personal homage to her Russian roots and a gentle reminder to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Lyubovnaya was honored to be chosen as the featured artist of The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival in 2024. Her work was auctioned at the annual Art Dash Party at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, a prelude event to the Arts Festival.
The Power of Observation
For Lyubovnaya, inspiration often begins with the tangible. She frequents farmers' markets for fresh still life subjects, honing her eye on fruits and flowers. But it’s portraits that most challenge and excite her.
Still lifes build skill; faces build soul. Through the “magnetic power of eyes,” she captures human—and animal—emotion with remarkable precision and empathy.
Painting with Light
Ultimately, Lyubovnaya’s work is an exploration of light. She shares, “Light is a symbol of knowledge, a divine connection with God. Painting light is what gives life to painting, makes it look real. The shadow is the juxtaposition.” Light animates her paintings, while shadow adds mystery. Together, they tell a visual story understood beyond words.
For those who collect her work, the connection runs deep. “They wake up and see it each day,” she says. “They connect to the soul of the painting in their own way.”