Darya Sokolova | Artist at Mondoir

Art has always been part of my life. My grandfather was a piano teacher, and growing up in that creative household, I naturally began studying music first, following in his footsteps. But it just didn't click with me the way I hoped it would. When I switched to fine arts, everything suddenly made sense, that's when my true art journey began, when I discovered I could express myself through visual creation in ways music never allowed. I studied the foundation of fine arts back home. Even after I moved to Dubai in 2008 to study Business Administration and eventually entered the corporate world, that creative spark never left me. I tried to suppress it, channel it into business strategies and professional achievements, but it was always there, quietly insisting on being heard. The turning point came when I became a mother. Suddenly, I was faced with a choice about what truly mattered to me and what kind of life I wanted to build, not just for myself, but as an example for my children. I chose art over the office job, trading corporate security for creative freedom and the flexibility to be present during their early years. Now, there's nothing that brings me more pleasure than creating paintings that people genuinely connect with, helping my clients bring their creative visions to life on canvas and walls, and knowing that my work becomes a meaningful part of their homes and lives.