I was born in Saint-Petersburg and live here all my life. Sometimes I envy people who moved here from other cities — they can see and truly appreciate all the beaty and miracles of this place; I got quite used to it. But I still believe it's the best, most creative, free and open city in the weird state called Russia.

I'm a calm person, trying not to disturb anyone without a weighty reason. I appreciate people's comfort a lot, that's why I'm trying to be the most pleasing guest for my hosts.

I graduated with a degree in psychology and psychotherapy, but I've been drawing all my life as well. In 2012 I founded a drawing studio, where I work as a teacher, designer and a director. We have a bunch of courses where we help people not to be afraid of drawing and to overcome their psychological barriers to creativity. Also I make local art events: from lectures and workshops to big festivals. Sometimes I take commissions and work as a freelance illustrator.

I work a lot (really a lot), and the only way to stop working is to go travelling. Maybe that's why I love travelling so much. It's always nice to meet new interesting people. Especially it's wonderful to meet colleagues from other contries and share experience.

I like animals a lot, and I keep one — black and white cat called Hedgehog. In every place I go I try to visit a zoo, so I have a lot of funny memories from zoos: once i touched a slot in Budapest!
I love bicycles and believe that riding bike is the best way to see the city. In my studio during summer we make bike-pleinairs, and once couple of couchsurfers joined us. It was fun :)

Feel free to add me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fakeglue

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love couchsurfing because it helps you to see new places from the inside and meet wonderful people. I used CS quite a lot, and never had a bad experience. Sometimes it gets you to places you never thought of. In autumn of 2015 I failed to find a host in Venice, but found one in 100 km from the city. With my kind host i visited 2 festivals of italian culture and food in small medieval cities. And before that I stayed in an austrian village between the Alps, in a 200-years old house, just like from the fairytail. That was amazing! I'm sure that CS is the most unpredictable and interesting way to travel.

I used to host travellers and it also was a great experience. I hosted people from Сzech Republic, Singapore, Norway, Turkey. Two years ago I moved to the very small apartment: there I have the only mattress for myself and, unfortunately, no possibility to host. But if you need any advice ot just want to meet up — feel free to ask.

Another reason to love CS is more pragmatic one, but still important. Since russian ruble fell, everything in the world became too expensive for us: the euro exchange rate against the ruble has grown twice in several months. Many of russians, who accepting staying only in hotels, now don't travel at all. That's why possibility to stay for free is so valuable now. You still can travel and see new places, and fuck the crisis.

Interests

It looks like I'm a happy person — my biggest interest is my job.

• arts
• street art
• illustrations
• animation
• teaching
• psychology
• illustration

Music, Movies, and Books

Radiohead and Nabokov. Not sure about movies.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In every place I go I try to visit a zoo. So I've seen some amazing animals.

Teach, Learn, Share

It's always interesting to meet a colleague for sharing some knowledge, differences and common things of the profession.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can tell you stories about Russia, Saint-Petersburg and our creepy laws.

I can give you a couple of drawing lessons and share my experience of keeping drawing studio and making art events.

Once I've successfully taught couple of couchsurfers to beg in russian. Very useful skill!

And be sure, I will draw your place in my travel sketchbook :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation