Could you tell us the story behind your artist name, Verlianko? How did you decide on it, is there a certain inspiration?

When I was very young, my grandmother, Vera Verlyanko, often told me the same phrase: “Irochka, when you get married, don’t change your last name Verlyanko, but always keep it.” However, at one point, I took my husband’s surname and became Gamarnik.

Years passed, but my grandmother’s words always lingered in my heart, accompanied by a smile. One day, while finishing the painting Mountains, it occurred to me that using my maiden name as an art pseudonym would be a beautiful way to honor my ancestors. The moment of inspiration came to me while I was painting Mount Ararat.

Now, I am Verlyanko again—only in my paintings.

As a lawyer with a deep passion for art, how did you discover that painting was your true calling?

The desire to draw has been with me since childhood. I always had a pencil in my left hand and a sheet of paper in my right. I drew as an amateur, following my mood. My mother still keeps some of my childhood drawings.

That desire never left me. However, I often pushed aside what I called "frivolous declarations of my soul." Years passed, and family, children, and work consumed my time. But at around 38 or 39 years old, I realized I could carve out time for drawing, no matter what. I bought an easel and all the supplies I needed. I started with watercolors, but dry pastels and oil paints eventually captured my heart.

Drawing helps me think and concentrate, giving me the chance to rethink everything happening around me. I have an endless stream of ideas for paintings, but a waiting list for creating them. Thankfully, this doesn’t interfere with my primary professional life. The thought that I could dive into the world of drawing after work or on my days off energizes me and gives me strength.

I believe the passion for drawing was always within me, lying dormant. The courage to draw, however, only came with years of growing up. It turns out that I allowed myself the courage to approach the canvas and begin. Initially, I noticed a constant urge to sketch—during meetings, brainstorming sessions, and without thinking about the sketch's purpose. My hand would just move, giving in to the flow. Over time, that desire grew uncontrollable.

How does your mission of "broadcasting love" translate into the themes and visuals of your paintings?

When I paint mountains, I feel the freshness of the air and immerse myself in the silence of the heights. I love to draw mountains for their external beauty, grace, and the power of their heights. I also love to draw violins, for their sound. I listen to Vivaldi, Paganini, Chopin, and others. Everything I draw passes through me, a personal connection that flows into my work.

Let me give you an example through one of my more humorous presentations, as reflected in the painting Concrete Heart. The idea behind it is simple but layered: A concrete cube symbolizes Men. Next to it is an X-shaped figure made of concrete, which I call the "X-chromosome," symbolizing Women. According to the legend in the piece, there was a love affair between the cube and the X-chromosome, so a concrete heart appears nearby as a symbol of their love. The heart is dynamic, with a trailing effect similar to that of a flying star, because love is in perpetual motion (the trail represents the path of the heart).

The cube is centered, with geometrically even forms, symbolizing stability, and its silver inclusions emphasize nobility. In contrast, the X-chromosome has twisted shapes and outlines, fluttering as if in motion, symbolizing frivolity. This is mirrored in the yellow emotional habitat surrounding it, reflecting the emotional nature of women, often associated with fussiness in their actions.

In this piece, the formula of Love is depicted through the color gray, representing concrete. Gray conveys strength and fortitude, as love is a powerful, all-conquering force. To further enhance the dynamics of the heart’s sillage (trail), I used melusa, a natural mineral powder of beige color, giving the painting relief and accentuating the movement.

What themes or ideas are you excited to explore in your future work?

In my immediate creative plan, there is already a painting in progress where I will depict a double bass. I want to capture its essence, but with a twist—expressing the shade of plum in a brown palette. Right now, I am painting sand mountains, inspired by the dunes I saw in the sandy desert of Namibia, which were strikingly beautiful in their terracotta tones.

Mountains will continue to be a central theme in my work—places like Mount Ararat and the yellow Hongshan Mountains of China will be revisited in my paintings. I also plan to paint the violin again, exploring it in different color variations and positions. One of my pieces features a white violin, beautifully combined with gold, and I want to create more compositions that explore this instrument in new, dynamic ways.

Additionally, I feel a strong pull towards exploring the theme of “the problem of people’s perception.” It seems to me that the key to human happiness lies in how we perceive everything around us—our relationships, the world, and our inner selves. This idea will continue to shape my creative journey, as I delve into how perception influences our understanding of happiness and life itself.

What advice would you give to professionals who dream of pursuing art but feel tied to their current career?

The principle of small steps to help! Start devoting 5 minutes a day to your favorite art.

What advice would you give to professionals who dream of pursuing art but feel tied to their current career?

Listen more boldly to the call of your thoughts that come from the heart. They are the most faithful. A true, warm impulse starts from the chest area, along the heart line, and flows upward toward the head. If the impulse begins from the top of the head, it's not the right one. Take a break. If the flow doesn't originate from the heart, don’t rush to conclusions. Trust in the guidance that comes from a place of warmth, depth, and authenticity.