Alexei Meznetsev

Alexei was born in Ukraine and graduated with Master Degree from the Academy of Arts in Moscow. He also completed his studies at the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD), George Brown College, Central Technical School and Sheridan College in Toronto, Canada.

Deeply interested in ancient's techniques he did research in monasteries and schools In Greece and Italy. Initially, when he started his study of iconography, the beauty of colors captured his heart, but then he realized the depth of its spiritual beauty.

For more than 30 years Alexei has worked as an Illustrator worldwide. For the past 20 years he designed various projects for the churches and the cultural institutions: mosaics, stained glass, murals, icons in Canada and United States. He is teaching courses of Byzantine style iconography in Toronto for more than 14 years.

At his studio, Alexei developed the unique method of presentation which combines meditation, art and therapy. He loves to teach students of different age groups and backgrounds. The perfect blend of spatiality, traditions and creativity is his main inspiration. Alexei taught iconography workshop in Art Works Art School in 2000.

He is a member of various cultural committees where he is doing the presentations and provides the workshops in Byzantine iconography.

Virgin Mary With Christ,
Egg tempera, 24k gold leaf, H11" W14"