Irina Garmashova-Cawton, who has lived in Yorkshire since 2000, earned a Diploma in Artist Design after studying for six years at the top Art Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. Since then, Irina has achieved international recognition, winning several awards, writing a tutorial book, and contributing articles to various art magazines. She has also created covers for publishers such as Penguin Roundhouse and currently runs her own art school. Irina works with a wide range of mediums, including oil, watercolor, and acrylic, with colored pencils being her primary focus. While she specializes in animal art, she also enjoys exploring other subjects and styles. Irina's artistic philosophy is to infuse soul and warmth into each subject, believing this is the best way to express herself and bring her art to life for the viewer. Her motto is: "The soul and warmth of the subject of art can only be brought to life completely by the real hand of an artist to a real surface waiting for real materials in the hand of the creator."