It's Mother's Day this Sunday, and Innisfil artist Maria Kelebeev is busy preparing for her first-ever virtual exhibit and auction, showcasing paintings from local mothers.
Each unique piece represents the artist's depiction of motherhood and will be available for purchase by local bidders.
Artists had until Friday afternoon to submit their work for the exhibit.
“The goal is to give moms an outlet and more exposure,” explains Kelebeev. “As a mother, I needed to ‘recover’ from all that has happened this past year, so I wanted to give back and provide an outlet for other painters as well.”
There will be works for exhibit only and also work to bid on. All pieces that are not purchased will be posted on the gallery's site to view and bid on throughout the week.
Kelebeev has been painting since she was a little girl.
She was born in Moscow and moved to Canada when she was just seven years old. She attended school in Italy and Greece to study art, and eventually went on to pursue marketing.
Ever since being laid off from her corporate job due to the pandemic, Kelebeev has been focusing on her art full time, painting everything from landscapes of Innisfil to political figures and celebrities.
She moved to Alcona in October, and loves everything about her new community, from the beaches to the people, she says she feels inspired every day by her surroundings.
Kelebeev can paint anywhere from one to five pieces a day.
"It is a daily practice, and they are very small canvases, and I usually use watercolours or acrylics," she said.
The Mother's Day art exhibit and auction take place this Sunday, May 9 from noon to 2 p.m.
There will also be a special musical performance by Kelebeev's sister, pianist Elina Kelebeev.
To take part, visit the Facebook page here.
To check out some of Kelebeev's work visit her website here, or Instagram page @hannatess_arthaus
