Tatiana Sizonenko

The joy of painting and the pursuit of creative vision are at the core of my artistic practice.

Since early childhood, making art has been inseparable from a sense of wonder—an experience of connecting to something greater than myself. I have long been drawn to the mysterious ways in which art comes into being, as if it possesses a life of its own, capable of guiding both the creator and the viewer. In this process, art has the power to engage, mesmerize, and even transform.

Like Wassily Kandinsky, I believe that art can generate a spiritual and healing atmosphere. Whether consciously or intuitively, the artist may access a higher source, allowing the work to emerge as an expression of inner necessity. Kandinsky described art as a manifestation of the soul, suggesting that “everything which adequately expresses the inner need is beautiful.” This idea continues to resonate deeply within my own practice.

My background as an art historian has further shaped this perspective. Across cultures and historical periods, art has often been linked to ritual, transformation, and shifts in perception—experiences that move beyond the material and temporal toward the infinite and eternal. Ancient philosophical traditions recognized art as a means of transcending ordinary reality, a concept that continues to inform my work.

As an artist, I see the act of creation as sharing affinities with mysticism and the idea of “traveling between worlds.” In this sense, art becomes not only a form of expression but also a process of discovery and connection. It serves as a vital and generative force—one that supports both spiritual exploration and personal well-being.

Tatiana Sizonenko, PhD, is an art historian and a beginner painter. Originally born in Ukraine, educated in St. Petersburg, Russia, and in San Diego, CA, Tatiana currently resides in San Diego. Tatiana teaches history of art at CSUSM, Design Institute of San Diego, and UCSD.