Kateryna Metelytsia is a Ukrainian artist who currently resides and creates in Laender, Texas, USA.

Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, in September 1981, she was raised in a household that fostered a deep appreciation for music and art. Her mother, a DSc in biological science, possessed remarkable piano skills, while her father, an airport technician, not only shared his love for music through his guitar playing but also showcased his drawing talents. The family's home was full of an extensive collection of music notebooks. Among them was a compilation of Beethoven's works of 1974 adorned with a portrait of the composer, drawn with white lines on a black background. It was drawn realistically and graphically at the same time. At the age of four, Kateryna made her first attempt to recreate the portrait, igniting her lifelong fascination with the world of art. Recognizing her budding talent, her mother enrolled her in an art studio, where she eagerly delved into the realm of sculpting.

A pivotal moment came when Kateryna's first art teacher Lyudmyla Osypivna, upon noticing her penchant for sculpting, introduced her to drawing lessons. Although initially resistant, Kateryna's teacher made concerted efforts to keep her engaged by allowing her to explore various crafts and to sit at the teacher's desk. Thus, Kateryna's lifelong passion for drawing was ignited. Since then, there hasn't been a single day when Kateryna hasn't put pen to paper or brush to canvas. At that time she dedicated herself to copying illustrations by different artists, creating portraits of friends, and honing her skills both in the studio and at home. Throughout her formative years, she also immersed herself in dance classes, choir, and piano lessons, continuously pushing the boundaries of her artistic expression.

After Kateryna's beloved first teacher moved to Israel, Kateryna faced a period of searching for a new mentor who could match Liudmyla's exceptional guidance. Despite the challenge, Kateryna resumed her creative journey by enrolling at Art School No. 2 in Kyiv, Ukraine, from 1993 to 1996. During these years, she wholeheartedly immersed herself in a wide array of subjects, encompassing art history, fine art drawing, painting, composition, sculpture, and anatomy. Her commitment was evident as she attended art school three to four times a week, after her regular school hours.

Between 1996 and 2001, she pursued her education at the Kyiv State Institute of Decorative and Applied Art and Design, named after M. Boychuk. Here, she delved into the intricacies of designing and decorative finishing, as well as the art of crafting jewelry from noble metals. She delved into the creation of highly artistic works of sacred art and mastered modern metalworking techniques such as working with noble metals, metal plastics, minting, casting, engraving, filigree, art soldering, inlay, and galvanoplastic.

During this period, she also developed a passion for cycling in Crimea, achieved the third category in rock climbing, and learned to play the guitar with the guidance of a friend. Her first guitar, a cherished gift, came from her father, who had been a guitarist in an amateur band during his younger years and continued playing while serving in the army and later. Thereafter, she acquired an antique guitar from her teacher and now proudly owns one more a beautiful new branded guitar.
 
After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2001, she ventured into the field of graphic design. However, feeling the need to enhance her skills in this domain, in 2002 she made the decision to enroll in the National Technical University of Ukraine, specifically at the "Institute of Publishing and Printing of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute" in Kyiv, Ukraine. During her time there, she immersed herself in a comprehensive range of subjects, including fine arts, composition fundamentals, printing composition, book illustration, art graphics, painting, type design, printmaking, various modern printing technologies, etching, linocut, photography fundamentals, art history, sculpture, and anatomy. Additionally, she began working for a prominent publishing house in 2003, thus applying and expanding her knowledge in the practical realm.
 
She skillfully juggled her academic pursuits, professional endeavors, and personal life, showcasing her exceptional multitasking abilities. In addition, during the years spanning from 2004 to 2007, she actively engaged as a member of the European student organization AEGEE, embarking on captivating journeys across Europe to partake in cultural exchanges and welcoming other students from abroad in Kyiv.

The first education of the artist-master jeweler significantly influenced the distinctive style of her early paintings. Her artistic approach encompassed elements of both realism and a decorative aesthetic, residing on the delicate boundary between the two with meticulous attention to detail reminiscent of a jeweler's craftsmanship. Her paintings were drawn on a black background, lending depth and density to the colors. Notably, she dedicated several artworks to the exquisite ancestral jewelry cherished by Ukrainian women, which held immense significance in Ukrainian culture.

In 2006, she proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and shortly thereafter, she pursued her Master's degree at the same university, successfully completing her studies in 2008. Subsequently, in 2009, she was promoted to the position of art director in the "Blank-Press" publishing house. It was within this dynamic and nurturing environment that she gained invaluable experience and honed her skills. The "Blank-Press" publishing house's visionary leadership fostered a profound passion for creating beautiful high-quality books and print products. Their unwavering commitment to excellence and their forward-thinking approach resonated deeply with her, fostering dedication to create products of the highest quality. 
 
Between 2010 and 2012, Kateryna established a children's art studio in Ukraine. Recognizing the importance of enhancing her teaching skills, she enrolled in advanced training courses offered by the Main Department of Education and Science, under the Kyiv Regional State Administration of Postgraduate Education for Teachers, with a specific focus on fostering a creative personality in her students. Drawing upon her experience and expertise, she meticulously crafted the curriculum for her studio, ensuring a comprehensive and enriching arts education for her young learners. Her students actively participated in exhibitions and competitions, showcasing their talent and passion to the wider community. Although the studio eventually closed its doors, the curriculum Kateryna designed received official approval from the Ministry of Education of Ukraine. As a result, she transferred this invaluable curriculum to the Children's Arts Center, allowing a continued impact on the artistic development of young minds.

In 2012, Kateryna ventured into the realm of computer games, exploring new creative opportunities. For the following two years, she found success as a computer game artist in a Ukrainian-American company. Immersed in this dynamic industry, her work in computer games began to influence her artistic style and subject matter. As she immersed herself in the world of computer games, Kateryna's paintings began to reflect a shift in focus from the Ukrainian theme to the realm of nature. The captivating landscapes and environments found in digital games inspired her to explore the beauty and intricacies of the natural world through her artwork.

Since 2014, Kateryna Metelytsia has wholeheartedly devoted herself to her art, thanks to the unwavering support of her husband Denys Dzhura. Immersed in her creative journey, she explores various genres and styles, employing unique approaches to painting.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Kateryna also nurtures a childhood dream of acting in movies. She possesses a deep fondness for comedies, particularly those of French origin. In 2017, she took a significant step towards realizing her dream by completing acting classes. However, since relocating from Ukraine to the US, in 2017 Kateryna has yet to find the opportunity to put her newfound acting skills into practice. Despite this, her passion for the art of film remains unwavering.
In response to overwhelming demand, Kateryna, a practicing artist, fulfilled her fondness for sharing the joy of art by opening her own art studio in 2019 to both children and adults who appreciate the beauty of art. The studio proudly bears her last name, Snowstorm, which translates literally from Ukrainian to English.

In her Snowstorm Art Studio, Kateryna indulges in her own artistic journey, continuously exploring diverse techniques and materials. She finds immense fulfillment in witnessing the successes and growth of her students. Furthermore, she mastered the profession of an art therapist, recognizing the transformative power of art in healing and self-expression.

Beyond her studio, Kateryna envisions illustrating and publishing a series of books. Additionally, she nurtures a deep longing to devote some time to her new black guitar, cherishing the opportunity to explore music.