Artist Maria Kelebeev photographed by Jim Craigmyle
Prompts Chosen: Birds over lake Simcoe, Magical library, Cozy wood cabin in the winter time
Title of work (if different from prompt): Carry me away, Literary sanctuary, I’m ok now
What inspired you to choose these prompts?
I was tempted to draw all 10 but these three really tied in nicely into the imagery I would paint on my own as they are all part of life’s little moments and have a dreamlike story telling quality about them.
Maria Kelebeev
Maria Kelebeev is a Moscow-born, Toronto-based artist celebrated for her evocative landscapes, still lifes, and portraits in a loose, contemporary impressionistic style. Passionate about the therapeutic benefits of art, Maria views creativity as a meditative practice, a means of centering and processing experiences. She describes her style as “stylized painterly journalism,” capturing memories, moods, and imagined experiences that invite viewers into a soulful, dreamlike narrative.
Maria’s artistic journey began with formal training at the Claude Watson School of the Arts in Toronto, followed by studies at the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts in Italy and Greece, and the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto. Her education continued at the Lauder Business School in Vienna, where she organized public art workshops and exhibitions.
In addition to her visual art, Maria has authored two books, Artful Meditations and Artful Expressions, both rich in meditative thought and reflective imagery. Her works are widely recognized in her local town, where they are displayed throughout the area, including in the town hall. Internationally, her art is held in private collections across the U.S., Greece, Switzerland, New Zealand, Russia, Israel, Germany, and Australia, and has been exhibited in Canada, Greece, and Austria. Her work reflects an ongoing exploration of storytelling, memory, and mood, offering audiences a soulful visual journey.