Hi, I'm Libby.

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I was born in Ivano-Frankivsk, a quiet town near the Carpathian Mountains in Western Ukraine. As a child, I could sit for hours watching my dad — a graphic artist — at work. That’s how I first fell in love with creativity: silently, deeply, and forever.

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In the 90s, like many others, I left Ukraine in search of new beginnings. Moscow became my next stop — a chaotic, intense city where I studied graphic design and graduated with honours. But the real dream was still ahead.

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After years of waiting and paperwork, my family and I finally moved to Australia. I’ll never forget my first impression: the colours here looked too bright, almost unreal — especially after the grey smog of Moscow. It felt like a place I’d always belonged. But as any migrant knows, settling in a new country is rarely easy.

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Learning English, building a new life from scratch, and finding my place in the community were only part of the challenge. My son’s health brought unexpected struggles. And my own career? I had to put it on hold.

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But when words failed, colours spoke.

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I turned to painting — at first, just to cope, then to reconnect with myself. I began capturing the beauty of Australian nature: the wild light, the strange animals, the open skies. Through art, I found hope again — and a way to share it with others.

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I believe creativity helps us grow, heal, and stay human — no matter what life throws our way.

Let’s stay connected.

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Libby Protsan