Iryna Kastsova paints bountiful floral arrangements and vivid seascapes in a style she describes as a blend of impressionism, realism and expressionism. Born and raised in Minsk, Belarus, she began drawing at a young age and went on to study monumental and decorative art at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. She says she only ever saw herself as an artist. Iryna draws great inspiration from the Impressionists, and likes to spend time outside observing the beauty of nature. For her floral scenes, she lays out many photos of the planned flower and then “as florists collect flowers for a bouquet, so I compose them on canvas,” explains Iryna. “I do not make sketches. The picture should appear in my head. Then I quickly throw it on the canvas, using a palette knife and brushes.” She works from a small home studio and likes to listen to American music while she paints. Her art has been published in Belarusian, German and Polish press, and she has exhibited at the Palace of Arts and the Museum of Modern Fine Art in Minsk.