This stunning oil on canvas painting, measuring an impressive 2 meters by 130 centimeters, captures the intricate fusion of a woman and a majestic jaguar. The woman, draped in a flowing white cloth, exudes a subtle grace that is intensified by her relaxed yet watchful pose. Her face, partially concealed by a purple headscarf, draws the viewer in with a mysterious gaze.
The jaguar, rendered in exquisite detail, embodies strength and elegance, with its coat shimmering in cool blues and earthy browns, creating a dreamlike yet realistic effect. The proximity of the two figures suggests a connection beyond the rational, as if they are entwined in an intimate dance of souls.
The background, a gentle blend of geometric shapes and warm hues, focuses attention on the central figures while creating an atmosphere of tranquility and intimacy. The soft transitions of colors and flowing lines add a sensual dynamic to the painting, making it a poetic celebration of nature and humanity.
Born in the vast heart of Ukraine, surrounded by endless fields of grain, Valentina Andrees’s path was shaped early on by a gentle yearning for beauty and self-expression. As a child, her artistic talent unfolded like the beating of wings—always accompanied by the music of her homeland and the dance of light and color on the faces around her. In her early youth, she first took up the paintbrush and found in oil painting the language that has remained her chosen voice ever since.
The move to Germany opened new horizons: Amidst the rhythm of a different culture, her creative voice developed further, gaining in depth and maturity. Inspired by the diversity of life in her new surroundings, Valentina began to focus on expressive portraits of women and animals. Large-format paintings came into being—works that fill and move a room, making emotion tangible and telling stories of their own.
Her signature is in the gaze: The eyes in her portraits—so often women’s eyes of almost unearthly intensity—draw the viewer in irrevocably. Here, strength, vulnerability, and that quiet dignity that marks each of her figures are reflected. Under her brush, animals too become striking personalities—powerful, mysterious, always linked by an unspoken connection to their creator.
Through exceptional artistry and a distinctive pictorial language, Valentina Andrees became a valued member of the Society of Animal Artists. Her works have been exhibited both nationally and internationally, across Europe and overseas. Numerous national and international awards and prizes bear witness to her artistic standing and to the resonance her paintings evoke around the world.
A new and inspiring chapter began when Valentina found a creative home in Sicily. The last years have been spent on this remarkable island, whose unique light, radiant colors, and lush nature have had a formative impact on her art. Among olive groves, ancient walls, and the timeless glow of the Mediterranean, she draws new inspiration. Her oil paintings now also reflect the warmth and vibrant colors of Sicily—each canvas becomes a tribute to the beauty, intensity, and exuberant life of this remarkable place.
Thus, her art fuses the memory of her Ukrainian homeland with the openness of the German cultural landscape and the sensuous abundance of Sicily. Using oil on canvas, Valentina Andrees not only creates portraits of powerful personalities and sensitive animal beings, but also emotional windows into a world of light, color, and unforgettable impressions.