Alina Shalev was born and raised in a small town in Transylvania, Romania. As a child, she developed a deep connection with nature, wildlife and animals. She spent most of her childhood outdoors surrounded by rolling hills and deep forests.
Like many artists, Alina’s love for art began at an early age. “I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I was always fascinated by the shapes and patterns found in nature. My fondest memories are of summer vacations spent in a rustic village at my friend’s farm. I felt so free roaming the wildflower fields, taking care of the animals, adventuring in the woods and quietly observing the wildlife.”
In stark contrast, her academic years were very rigorous and demanding. Alina’s parents were both teachers and she excelled in mathematics, geometry, biology and art. Because an art career was not a viable choice during the communist regime in Romania, Alina went to one of the top Engineering Universities in the country taking as many technical drawing classes as possible.
In her early twenties, Alina arrived in the US initially unable to speak English but determined to learn. She learned to read and write, then continued her college studies in aviation. She earned her commercial pilot license while working as an A&P on Gulfstream aircraft for top A-list celebrities.
Living in Los Angeles she was delighted to find a plethora of classes and workshops in art. She enrolled in many of them and a new world opened right in front of her. Alina started painting again and her creativity blossomed.
For the past 20 years, she studied with different artists, monks, and art therapists, learning about the healing properties of painting. This journey took her around the world, offering a great source of inspiration and allowing for a deeper connection with nature.
She learned to meditate in ashrams India and prayed in ancient monasteries of Romania. She traveled from Egypt to the land of Mayans, from Fiji Islands to Australia, from India to Israel, assimilating knowledge and experiences from a multitude of cultures.
What resonated with her the most was the relationship between animals, nature and geometry, as well as art being a tool for personal growth. She explored these connections in a series of drawings that were the basics of her paintings.
In 2015 she entered these drawings in a contest to be published as a coloring book, titled “Enchanted Mandalas” with the intent to spark people’s creativity and provide a method for relaxation.
Her drawings won the first prize and were published internationally in the US, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa, and India, with Hay House, one of the biggest publishing company in the world, in personal development genre.
Alina was invited to give lectures at conferences in over 22 major US cities, Canada and Australia. She was interviewed for the documentary film “Consider This”, featuring some of the most successful thinkers and best-selling authors of our time.
Alina’s artwork reflects the essence of the experiences accumulated throughout her life. Bright and whimsical, her abstract botanicals are held on the canvas by a delicate balance between structure and spontaneity.
She states: “While walking in a garden, I see fascinating geometric patterns everywhere. It feels as being in a secret garden and it’s very inspiring. These are the moments that spark joy in my heart. I want to capture that feeling and then share it with others through my work.”
Playful gestures, charging colors, and charming compositions are the hallmark of her work. Combining contemporary style, rich details and abstract form, Alina’s paintings draw the viewer in for a closer look. Every painting is a vibrant reflection of nature examined through her eyes.
Alina Shalev spends time between her studios in Los Angeles, CA, and Northern Idaho. When not in her studio she can be found hiking, flying, or visiting botanical gardens of the world.
“My mission is simple,” she says. “I want to capture the essence of nature and use it to delight and bring a sense of wonder in people’s lives.”
