Albena Hristova grew up in the presence of art. 'I never thought I could be anything else but an artist. It was my destiny. I think of myself as an artist by birth."

Albena's first mentor was her mother, the leading restorer of the Bulgarian National Gallery in Sofia. Albena spent countless hours during her childhood observing her mother at work. She recognized her own passion for art and began formal training in high school. Afterward she attended the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia and received a Master Degree in mural painting.

Albena starts each of her oil paintings by creating a richly textured surface foundation using a lengthy process. She embosses the texture using hand-carved wooden blocks. Albena's skill as a muralist is evident in her beautifully rendered flowers, vessels and landscapes.

Albena lives in California with her husband Max and their teenage son. Her studio occupies the two sunniest rooms, where Albena paints daily in the company of her dog Sharo. Travel is an important part of her creative process, and whenever Albena and her family can, they pack up and roam through cities absorbing the architecture, shops and museums.

Over the past ten years Albena has had many solo exhibitions and numerous group shows. Her artwork is available on an extensive collection of home accessories and in a signature wallpaper collection. Her paintings are part of the permanent collection at the National Art Gallery in Sofia, and hang in various private collections worldwide.

Click here to see some of Albena's work.

Bio from WAG 2004 Binder Catalogue • ©2005 Wild Apple Licensing