I'm Elena Markova, an artist. I was born in Russia, lived in New York, and have lived and worked in the Netherlands for the past 15 years. In my artistic practice, I work with papier-mâché—a material that allows me to explore form, texture, and the sensation of living volume. I'm interested in creating organic objects and sculptural surfaces inspired by nature. I often begin by observing natural forms and processes, then translating them into tactile, multi-layered works. The process itself is important to me: experimentation, handcrafting, finding unexpected solutions, and interacting with the material. Through this, my objects are born—fragile, imperfect, yet very alive. I've also recently created a course in which I share my techniques, experiments, and approach to working with papier-mâché. It's a space where you can explore the material, unleash your creative thinking, and create your own forms. I believe that creativity is a way to connect with yourself and the world. And I want to share this process, inspiring others to create and make the world around them a little more alive and meaningful.