Katepaintings

11/04/2026

"Vantoro"
Paper, bleach, ink.
30cm x 21cm

I named this cosmic steed Vantoro. The name is a fusion of deep darkness (Vantablack) and a noble Spanish tone. He seems to be woven from stardust and the night sky.
This piece is an experiment with a fascinating technique: drawing with bleach on black paper. It's a magical process: the bleach doesn't just lighten; it reacts with the paper’s pigment, revealing unexpected warm, almost golden undertones that were perfect for creating the cosmic glow and the dapples on his coat. Little bit of white and black ink helped to refine the finest details and add depth to his gaze.
A huge thank you to Yeguada Paco Marti for the inspiration! Your magnificent Spanish horses are a true work of art. Thank you for the opportunity to use your photo references. The dynamic pose, power, and grace of your horses inspire me to create such visions.

10/04/2026

Finally, I have a chance to share this with you.

I’ve just read the feature about my life and art in PonyColada, and I am honestly overwhelmed. I was moved to tears - it is so beautiful, deep, and professional.

I am incredibly grateful to Stephanie for being so attentive to my story. By involving literature experts, she has elevated my journey to a level I couldn't have imagined. This is more than just an interview; it’s a reflection of my soul and my connection to the equine world.

You can read it here in English and German:
🇬🇧 https://www.ponycolada.com/content/horse-art-kateryna-bielikova-en
🇩🇪 https://www.ponycolada.com/content/portrait-pferde-kunst-kateryna-bielikova

Thank you, Kleinlein, from the bottom of my heart for this beautiful tribute to my work!

The Ukrainian artist Kateryna Bielikova is a trained equine scientist. Through her paintings, she brings light and colour into an inhumane time.

06/04/2026

"Primeval"
Hardboard, acrylic.
14.7cm x 19.7cm (5.8" x 7.8")
Photo reference: David Selbert

Primeval is an attempt to capture the very essence of wild, untouched nature. This portrait of a European bison, created using acrylic on hardboard, evokes a time when these majestic animals ruled the continent. His gaze is a look back through millennia, calm yet filled with hidden power. I deliberately left deep shadows to emphasize the monumentality of his silhouette and the texture of his coat.

This piece was created specifically to support the Association of Animal Artists' (Association of Animal Artists) 2026 charity partner, Wildwood Kent. The proceeds from the sale of this painting will be my contribution to the crucial cause of conservation, rewilding, and protecting Britain's wildlife, overseen by the Trust.

06/04/2026

"Rosirim"
Cardboard, bleach, ink.
21cm × 30cm
Reference photo: Olga Itina
The title Rosirim is a neologism was created specifically for this piece, merging two essential elements: the subject’s name, Rosie, and the defining quality of the light I sought to capture - rim light.
The name reflects a state of unity, where the subject is both shaped and transformed by light. Here, light and shadow are not opposing forces, but a single, inseparable presence.
Working on deep brown cardboard, I used bleach as a way of “drawing with light.” It does more than trace the outline of the Tinker foal - it merges with her form, creating a quiet sense of luminosity, as if the figure is gently emerging from the light itself.
This piece is about capturing a fleeting, delicate moment - the instant when inner and outer light meet and become one.

23/03/2026

"Runnguni"
Cardboard, bleach, ink, varnish.
21cm x 30cm
Reference photo by: Charl Durand (Port Alfred, South Africa) Pexels

Sometimes art is born from struggle, from fire, and from the deep need for protection. This is the story of my new work, "Runnguni".
I started with the powerful spirit of the African Nguni cattle, creatures of resilience and ancient wisdom. In their eyes, I saw not just an animal, but a symbol of a land that is often threatened, especially by devastating fires. To protect this spirit, I invoked a sacred Ukrainian symbol - the Orepij (or "sown field" symbol). This rune-like mark represents safety, balance, and the hope for rebirth. It is a beacon of protection against the destructive force of fire.
Technically, "Runnguni" was a journey. I worked on heavy cardboard, first using bleach to reveal the warm, sun-kissed coat of the animal, contrasting with the dark, mysterious background. I then integrated a panel of Ukrainian runes, placing them above the magnificent horns as a floating benediction, a language of ancient protection.
The process was not perfect. Cardboard can be temperamental, and I faced technical challenges that added to the work's texture, giving it a weathered, battle-scarred feel. I see these "imperfections" not as flaws, but as marks of the journey, making the piece feel like a recovered artifact.
The final piece is a fusion: African spirit protected by Ukrainian magic, a blend of wildlife art and sacred symbolism. It is my prayer for a world in need of balance and safety.
I hope you feel the power of "Runnguni". What do you think of this cross-cultural protection?

11/03/2026

Коли деталі мають значення, а бізнес стає частиною природи 🌱
​Нещодавно мені пощастило виграти у розіграші від Паперія, Квітучий папір, Папір з насінням — і тепер у є 100 особливих візиток із квітучого паперу! 🌸
​Для мене як для митця важливо, щоб естетика та зміст простежувалися у кожній деталі. Розпаковка замовлення від «Паперія» — це справжній кайф для творчої особистості! 🎨✨ Приємно бачити таку увагу до дрібниць, де візуальна краса поєднується з повагою до довкілля.
​Що мене вразило найбільше:
✅ Екологічність у всьому: скотч, наповнювач, сама коробка і навіть поштова наліпка зроблені з матеріалів, що не шкодять довкіллю.
✅ Термін розкладання в ґрунті — всього до 3 місяців.
✅ І головна магія: мій бізнес використовує квітучий папір.
​Цінність у тому, що навіть якщо така візитка потрапить у смітник, вона просто розчиниться в землі та збільшить кількість квітів навколо. Але якщо ви покладете її в ґрунт і будете часто поливати — вже за 7 днів отримаєте живі сходи квітів, які стануть теплим нагадуванням про .
​Я щиро дякую за таку круту ініціативу та якість. Це не просто папір — це філософія турботи про планету, яку я радо підтримую. 🌍
​Закликаю й інші українські бренди обирати свідомий шлях. Давайте створювати красу, яка залишає по собі квіти, а не сміття!
​
​ #екосвідомість #квітучийпапір #українськийбренд #екопакування

06/03/2026

"Isar"
Pastel paper, bleach, ink, metallic watercolor.
30cm x 21cm

Light from the darkness, colors from void... In this portrait, emptiness takes shape, and the absence of color transforms into radiance.
My latest portrait of the Arabian mare Takrima is an experiment at the intersection of technology and pure creativity. The title "Isar" is no coincidence; it is both a nod to her German roots (a greeting to Isar Aerospace) and a metaphor for a "Star on Indigo."
Deep smoky blue Tiziano paper in the shade "Indigo."
Instead of adding paint, I "extract" light from the paper itself using bleach to create volume and texture.
Takrima’s jowl is adorned with an elegant "Buta" (Paisley) ornament, hand-painted with Coliro Pearl Colors in Rose Gold.
Accents of black and white ink complete this "cosmic" image of an Arabian horse.

Special thanks to Sabrina Scherling Al Tair Stud for the wonderful reference photos that inspired this work!

Here are the scan, photo, and flat lays of the drawing.

02/03/2026

It’s official: The Association of Animal Artists Online Exhibition 2026 is LIVE! 🌍🎨

I am honored to represent Ukraine in this year’s collection alongside an incredible group of international artists. From the shimmering gold leaf of "Linyenga" to the deep, matte shadows of "Obscura," these works are a celebration of the textures of the natural world. I’m proud to be one of 76 artists representing 11 different countries in this global showcase!

Come meet "Linyenga" (the golden lioness) and "Obscura" (the mysterious Sphynx) at the link below. Every browse and purchase helps support the Wildwood Kent in their mission to protect and rewild British wildlife. 🦌🌳

Stop by, browse the 141 unique works, and find your favorite!

Live until March 30th: https://associationofanimalartists.com/online-exhibition-2026

🧑‍🎨

16/02/2026

Paradox: From Concept to Feature ✨
​I am beyond thrilled to share that my latest work was selected by Joyce Ter Horst for the official Paard Verzameld Instagram feature!
​This was my response to Art Challenge 78: 'Paradox', and the journey from the first sketch to the final piece was deeply personal:
​🔹 The Idea: The challenge was to explore how opposing qualities can coexist. For me, this is my current reality: finding the spark of creative motion during moments of forced stillness and darkness due to constant blackouts. My daily paradox is seeking light within the gloom.
​🔹 The Process: Following the challenge guidelines, I began with preliminary sketches on kraft paper. I used these to study how the bleaching agent 'extracts' form from the fibers. It was a process of uncovering the horse’s image not by adding color, but by removing it.
​🔹 The Technique: For the final piece on dark A4 cardstock, the stakes were high. Just like with watercolor, there is no room for error. The chemical reaction between the bleach and the paper's pigment is unpredictable and completely irreversible. I had to work with absolute precision in the fleeting hours when the "planets aligned" and the power was on.
​Seeing my horse emerge from the void and then being featured among such incredible international artists is the best reward I could imagine. Thank you, Paard Verzameld, for the push I needed to step out of the shadows!

Paard Verzameld
​

04/02/2026

"Takrima"
Paper, watercolor.
30cm x 21cm (A4).
My sincere gratitude to Sabrina Scherling and Karsten Scherling - Al Tair Stud for the kind permission to paint the beautiful horses of their stud.
Takrima (Mounaz El Din x Tamria II) at 25 years old (born 2000) Straight Egyptian, Blue List, Strain: Dahman Shahwan.
Every painting is a journey. Even when the result is a challenge for the artist, capturing the wisdom of a 25-year-old mare like Takrima is a success in itself.

23/01/2026

"Eald"
Hardboard, acrylic. Varnished.
19.7cm x 14.8 cm

This portrait is my first artwork of 2026, inspired by the photography of Ana Maria Samoila (Hațeg, Romania). The piece captures the primal power and steady gaze of the bison. Its title, Eald, is an Old English word for "ancient," symbolizing the deep, ancestral connection between wildlife and the land.

The painting was created to support Wildwood Kent Trust, the 2026 charity partner of the Association of Animal Artists. It serves as a contribution to their mission of protecting, conserving, and rewilding native British wildlife.

30/12/2025

Мій творчий 2025-й в одному колажі. 🎨
​Цього року маю особистий «антирекорд» — лише 15 робіт за весь рік: 14 картин та одна глиняна фігура. Спочатку ця цифра викликала сум, але за кожним об’єктом тут стоять не просто мазки чи форма, а нескінченна кількість годин пошуку натхнення та того самого правильного світла.
​Ніяких гучних підсумків. Для когось це мало, але для мене це 15 чесних історій, у яких стало набагато більше глибини та пошуку, ніж раніше. Просто творчий шлях як він є.
​Яка з робіт відгукується вам найбільше?

​My creative 2025 in a single collage. 🎨
​This year marks a personal "anti-record" — only 15 works in total: 14 paintings and one clay figure. At first, the number felt a bit disheartening, but behind every piece here lies an endless number of hours spent searching for inspiration and that perfect light.
​No loud conclusions. To some, it might seem like a small number, but to me, these are 15 honest stories that hold much more depth and exploration than ever before. Just the creative journey as it is.
​Which of these pieces resonates with you the most?