Alexandra (Sasha) Yakovleva presents Peaceful Pisces, a segmented abstract piece painted in oil. Photo provided by Alexandra Yakovleva

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Alexandra (Sasha) Yakovleva has always loved art. As a child in Kaliningrad, Russia, Yakovleva was always drawing and painting so her mother enrolled Yakovleva in art school. 

Yakovleva fondly remembers the exciting school field trips that presented a variety of subjects to draw.

Yakovleva occasionally drew and painted. At age 20, Yakovleva came to America as an adventure to see a new land, new people and new cultures. Yakovleva officially immigrated to America at age 21 to South Lake Tahoe.

“There was a strong interest in pursuing an independent lifestyle and exploring personal identity and career aspirations without the influence of societal pressure of the country I grew up in” Yakovleva said. “Which wasn’t bad by any means but the breath of fresh air in your 20th is much needed.”

Nine years later, at age 30, Yakovleva relocated to Sacramento and for the last seven years, has lived in West Sacramento, where her artistic practice has flourished. Yakovleva began to paint in segmented abstract. 

Segmented abstract painting The Apple Man, by Alexandra (Sasha) Yakovleva. Photo provided by Alexandra Yakovleva

“Experiencing separation from family as an immigrant, I started paying closer attention to how the world directly impacted my life,” Yakovleva said. “Dealing with family situations, aging parents and realizing that life isn't always paradise, I learned that every decision comes with its own price. As my thoughts started to conflict and create unproductive chaos, I turned to art sketching that came out compartmentalized. My first sketch was a segmented drawing of ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ in pencil. Later, I began incorporating chess figures and profiles into my artwork.”

Yakovleva paints oil paintings that she describes as “selected images that are infused with personal meaning or memories and then dissected into harmonious segments.”

Yakovleva focuses on color and on texture. Within each segment of the piece, she builds texture with a pallet knife and then fills in the segments with rich, bold colors. Her desire is to ensure visual attractiveness by allowing the eye an assortment of depths to enjoy.

The inspiration for segmented abstract painting can be traced back to a trip to Germany that she took some 20 years ago. While sightseeing, she visited beautiful cathedrals. 

“I was mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty of stained-glass windows. They were stunning and unique,” Yakovleva said. “Each color occupied its own designated space on the panel, resembling a harmonious mosaic.”

Yakovleva considered the beautiful stained-glass windows as a life lesson as she learned to compartmentalize feelings and emotions in her everyday life. “

Each color is separated, just like feelings, conflicting thoughts, experiences,” Yakovleva said. 

Yakovleva’s work is on display from April 4 through April 26 at Gallery 1075 in the West Sacramento Community Center, 1075 West Capitol Ave. The public is invited and encouraged to visit this free art display. Yakovleva’s artwork can also be viewed on her website at www.alexandrayakovleva.art. To contact Yakovleva, message her on Instagram at @alexandra_yajovleva_art. 

Alexandra’s message to the community, in part, is “Don’t deprive yourself from the joy of art. The world of art is incredibly rich, and one doesn’t need to know how to draw or have extensive knowledge about art to explore it. Just open yourself up to it and express curiosity about.”