Varvara Harmon was born and raised in Volzshk, a "small Russian city" of 100,000 people that is located in the central European portion of Russia. She began painting in her childhood and was a student at the Volzshk Art School, where she graduated with a Diploma in Art Studies. Varvara's career goals briefly turned from the arts towards the earth sciences. While pursuing this interest, she studied geology at the Moscow Geological Exploration Academy, where she earned a Degree in Geological Studies.

After graduation, Varvara worked as a geologist - work that brought her to some of Russia's most spectacular wildernesses. It was during this time, with so many opportunities to see Russia's wild beauty that Varvara returned to painting landscapes. While in Russia, Varvara participated in many regional art exhibitions and also had the honor of being the first artist ever to put on a solo exhibition at the Museum of V. E. Lenin in the City of Kazan, Russia.

 

Varvara immigrated to the United States in 2001 and moved to Windham, Maine. New England, especially Maine, is a place whose lands, inland waters, coast and people have inspired many of her recent paintings. While the majority of these works are done with acrylic, she also creates with oils, watercolors and pencil. Although landscapes are still her favorite subject, Varvara also does portraits, commissioned works, geological illustrations and perspective views of architectural landscape designs.

 

 

2002 was Varvara's first summer as an exhibiting artist in America. She presented her work at nine art shows from Bethel, Maine to Sudbury, Massachusetts and won a judge's award at the Fryeburg, Maine Art Festival. During the 2003 season, Varvara's works were present at ten events in Maine, and she took the "Best in Show" award at the Winthrop, Maine Sidewalk Art Show. In October of 2003, Varvara was again honored by being asked to present her works as the first guest artist of Gallery 302 in Bridgton, Maine. Varvara's work is currently represented at “Little Sebago Gallery & Frame” in Windham, ME, at “Gallery 302” in Bridgton, ME, “Elizabeth & Main Gallery of Art” in Gorham, ME, ”Priscilla Bond Gallery” in Lovell, ME and “The Blue Shutter Gallery and Frame Shop” in Wolfeboro, NH. She also regularly displays additional pieces of her work at the Windham branch of the Evergreen Credit Union.

Despite her busy schedule, Varvara has found the time to volunteer on projects that benefit a diverse assortment of groups including the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Town of Washington, Maine, and the Gorham Community Ballet Company. She also donated a piece entitled "Acadia - A View from Cadillac Mountain" to the 2003 Great TV Auction for Maine PBS.

Varvara Harmon can be reached at:

(207) 892-9929
harmon@midmaine.com