Lana Trayser

My watercolor journey began with creating a set of stationary cards, where a family of characters I call, “Matryoshka’s” or Russian nesting dolls, travel all over the world. Amidst a pandemic, we were all staying home with lockdown restrictions. My characters, however, were free to go anywhere, as imagination has no boundaries. It was my way to escape reality and enjoy freedom in a confined environment. My Matryoshka dolls captured the eye of an old acquaintance, offering me the opportunity to illustrate the story of “Crimson”. It was an incredible experience to work on developing characters for the children’s book: their personalities, look, expressions and movement. Shortly after that project, I realized that I could join my love for photography and watercolor in painting abstract wedding bouquets, which is near to my heart as a wedding photographer. I started painting photographs of my bridal bouquets, giving them a whole new life, as fine art. Following my new passion for watercolor, I met more incredibly artistic individuals who have helped me not only improve my skills but also opened my mind to the limitless applications for my art. I’m incredibly thankful for the ongoing support of my new American friends as well as my Russian friends and family.

It is with deep gratitude that I dedicate the illustrations of Crimson to my mother, Lubov Medem, who made it possible for me to become the person I am today. My name is Lana and I am an immigrant from Russia. I have been working as a photographer for the past fifteen years. This year, during the pandemic, I discovered a passion for working with watercolor which led me to this amazing opportunity, illustrating the story of Crimson. The narrative is personal to me. Moving to a different country and trying to fit in while preserving your identity is a lifetime challenge. Sometimes, exploring on your own can help you find who you really are. I hope this story inspires you to always embrace yourself and discover your true powers.