Biography
Born in Moscow, Russia, Marina Zavalova first studied drawing from her father, who was a painter and commercial artist and inspired her love for art. As a high school student participating in theater, she designed and organized sets and had the opportunity to travel to remote villages throughout Russia where the residents had never seen theater scenes. This experience also exposed her to beautiful landscapes, which stirred within her an interest in landscape painting. However, she says that the most important lesson learned was that, “Art has a great power and appeals to humanity. I was absolutely sure that if I could figure out how to paint, I would learn how the world is made!”
Several years after this experience she graduated from the prestigious Stroganoff Art Academy, and in 1981 she earned a Master's Degree in Art from the Moscow Textile Institute where she studied under Alexander Dubinchik. In 1990 Zavalova immigrated to the United States with her husband and three children. Even though she faced many challenges in the United States, like learning English, and getting a job, she finally got back into art in 1993. She credits this return to art, in part, to Ovanes Berberian, a great friend, painter, and student of Sergei Bongart.
Since 1993, Zavalova continues to paint in watercolor and oil, and has shown her work in many art galleries across the country, taught classes, and hosted workshops. She is a member of the Oil painters of America, Idaho Watercolor Society, American Impressionist Society, an art instructor at the College of Eastern Idaho, and she is still learning!