Once upon a time there lived a king who had three sons. When the king was in his old age and his eyesight was poor, he heard that there was an orchard in the kingdom where apples of youth grew, and where a well full of living water could be found. If the old man could eat such an apple he would find youth, and if he could wash his eyes with water his sight would be restored. And the youngest son said to his father: “I will go and will bring you the apple of youth and a bottle of living water.”

And so, after many difficulties, this youngest son returned home with the promised apples and water and they lived happily ever after.

I love fairy tales, they inspire me; sometimes I feel like I am living in a fairy tale myself. My name is Tina Sharapova, I am an artist and a felt maker. I was born in Moscow, lived 10 years in China and now have come to Canada. I like to travel, to see new places and meet new people. I love nature and I think the best way to have a rest is to sit under a tree in a green forest with a cup of good tea. When I see magnificent trees, gentle flowers and adorable mushrooms around me I feel such admiration for the great mystery of the Universe that brings all these marvelous things around us.

Mystery surrounds us and the most mysterious thing I like to work with is sheep’s wool. It is soft in the beginning, but can be transformed in human hands. When people ask me: “How do you do your felting? Do you need special devices or machines?” I say: “No. It is very simple, all you need is wool, hot water and soap. Soap helps the fibers to tangle together and hot water makes the process faster. If you ever washed your wool sweater in a washing machine in hot water you know what I mean. It shrunk and became smaller! The same thing is happening with the wool. After hours of rubbing in splashes of hot soapy water, after rolling, kneading, squishing and throwing, you will get a wonderful soft material that is lightweight, warm and flexible. Felted hats and bags can last for years without losing shape and colour if you did every step properly.

Fluffy wool is not the only thing I use for making art. I like to use watercolour for small illustrations for its bright colours and light transparency. I also work in digital media, using Photoshop and Illustrator to create pictures of other worlds that are magical, but at the same time, quite believable. I learned to use graphic programs while working as a designer, making labels, packaging and book covers. I changed occupation several times during my life, but my favourite job was in a Chinese style tea house in Moscow, Russia. People came there to drink good tea, while relaxing and unwinding after a busy day. They had to remove their shoes and mute their mobile phones to respect the tranquil atmosphere of a tea ceremony. My role there was that of a storyteller – telling the tale of the tea, its history and traditions while preparing the tea and ensuring the guests were comfortable and relaxed.

I understand now that the tea taught me a lot. It was not just a drink, like coffee or juice; it had its own spirit, its own mood. You need to be attentive, moving slowly, carefully and with confidence to make good tea. Don’t oversteep the tea, don’t pour water on the table, respect your guests to get the most of a tea party. Tea helps people to communicate, to attune to each other, to harmonize the atmosphere around them. It is a real magic!

I have always been looking for magic, seeking wonders around me. Have you ever thought that you would like to live in a fairy tale? To follow the white rabbit down its hole, to meet a real magician and fight the dragon, to enter a wardrobe and find yourself in a Wonderland? You can find this magic in art, as it can carry you away from reality to wonder. Art addresses people’s subconscious using images and symbols from myths and legends. All these mighty bears and tigers, heroes and magicians, witches and princesses are the parts of our inner lives. You can call your inner bear to help you to be brave or a magician to change a difficult situation. I use symbols and fairy tales in my art to give hints and clues so everybody can think of his or her own life. For me, it is always better to leave some space for imagination without illustrating the story directly.

And it is a fun game to offer people to bring their own ideas about what they can see on the picture. You can learn a lot about their thoughts! I’d like to make such things that can make people think about their life, about what they love and what they want. My dream project is to make such a piece that every person can see what he or she needs to feel better, to lighten one’s mood, to feel happier. It is like Mary Poppins’ medicine – various people felt different tastes, but it helped everybody! Maybe it will be a whole room! Or a special workshop – “make your own happy room!”  Yes, maybe that will be a good idea!