About Maria Gruzdova

My name is Maria and I am an artist based in Spain. I often work under the name Kilka, a signature that appears on many of my paintings.

My work explores intuition, nature and the human experience. Observation, movement and storytelling shape the imagery, which often appears through organic forms, fluid lines and symbolic figures inspired by the natural world.

Water, plants and natural landscapes are recurring elements in my paintings. The quiet rhythm of nature, the flow of water, the structure of stones, the movement of birds and fish, and the fragile presence of butterflies often become metaphors for transformation, balance and inner movement.

Mythology and mythical creatures from different cultures are another important source of inspiration. These themes often appear in figurative works where human forms merge with symbolic or fantastical elements.

I work primarily in mixed media, combining acrylic and oil paint, oil pastel, watercolour, gold ink and gold leaf on canvas to create expressive surfaces. Layered colour and texture help create depth and atmosphere that invite the viewer to slow down and discover subtle details.