Nina Khmeleva
ninakhmelyova@gmail.com
Instagram
I am an illustrator.
Born in Russia with mixed Russian-Ukrainian roots, I moved to Uzbekistan with my family in 2022 because of the war, then came to the United States to pursue my artistic career.
My work combines flat graphic forms, surrealist storytelling, and dark humor to explore the uneasy boundary between humans and animals, as well as themes of distortion, play, and irrational logic.
I work primarily with acrylic paint, collage, and digital media.
I am currently developing a collection of short stories and hope to write, illustrate, and publish my first book within the next two years.
Education
Maryland Institute College of Art
BFA Candidate in Illustration
Expected graduation 2027
GPA 3.99, Dean’s List
Russian secondary (high) school
Diploma with honors, Golden Medal
USA high school,
Aquinas International Academy
Diploma of graduation, GPA 3.756
Employment
Intern, Maryland Art Place (MAP)
January 2026 – May 2026
Teaching Assistant (UTA),
Creative Writing course, MICA
Instructor – Paul Long
January 2026 – May 2026
Orientation Leader, MICA (CSE)
August 2024
llustrator & Writer, Manka Magazine
September 2020 – December 2021
Contributor, AST Publishing House
June 2020
Illustration Instructor, Lil School
December 2017 – May 2023
Skills
Interpersonal: communication, collaboration, analytical
thinking, giving and receiving feedback, time management
Art: character design, sequential art, 3D, editorial and cover
design, product design mockups, collage, academic drawing
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere
Pro; Procreate; Rhino 3D; MS Office
Social media: content creation and management (YouTube
videos, social media posts, online courses)
Languages: English and Russian
Awards
Illustration West 64, Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles –
selected for virtual exhibition
2026
FUMETTO Comics Festival, 34th international competition –
exhibition participant
2026
“Graphically Speaking: The Art of Comic Storytelling” Atlantic Gallery juried show - contest winner, exhibition participant
2026
“Learning Financial Literacy from the Mistakes and Successes
of Literary Heroes” (5th Anniversary Student Competition) –
3rd place, Illustration category
2020
MIKS, 4th International Cartoon Competition “Black Sails”
(Sisak, Croatia) – 1st place
2018
BMW Berlin Marathon International Children’s Drawing
Competition – 3rd place, “Winners from abroad” category
2018
International Tourism Cartoon Competition (Turkey) – 2nd
place
2017
The Graceful Envelope Contest (USA) – 1st place
2017
Science Without Borders® Challenge, Khaled bin Sultan Living
Oceans Foundation – finalist
2017
FUMETTO Comics Festival, 25th international competition –
1st place
2016
Toyota Dream Car Art Contest (Russia), – 1st place
2016
SALON STRIPA Comic Competition (Belgrade, Serbia) – Special
Jury Award
2016
Olense Kartoenale Cartoon Competition (Belgium) – 4th place
2016
BOOMFEST International Comic Competition (Russia) –
shortlist
2016
British Council, Best Illustration of Shakespeare Competition – shortlist
2016
Doodle 4 Google Competition – Top 300
2015
Publications
Kvantik
Escape comic / PDF
May 2017
RU Swiss
Temptation comic / PDF
April 2016
View full CV here
Last Updated 24.10.31
1. Normal People
Acrylic on wood, 20 x 30 inches
April 2026
A political painting about modern Russia.
Each character represents a major layer of Russian society: the Grandma symbolizes the older generation and the main voting mass, the Bandit represents the corrupt government, and the College Student reflects the younger generation with no possibility of escape.
Modern Russia is trapped in a limbo of cruelty, fear, and learned helplessness.
2. Office Dragon
Digital drawing, 1920 x 1080 px
December 2025
A character concept of a dragon forced to blend into human society and work a 9-to-5 office job.
3. Werewolf Shepherd
Digital drawing, 1920 x 1080 px
November 2025
A character design concept of a werewolf shepherd from a small village. The main illustration was inspired by the works of Ivan Bilibin.
4. Beasts, Humans, Gods
Digital drawing, 8.5 x 11 inches
May 2026
A sticker book cover and a sample sticker page inspired by Perm Animal Style, a tradition of bronze artifacts created between the 2nd century B.C.E. and the 12th century C.E. across the Ural Mountains.
5. The Fly
Mixed media, 20 x 20 inches
December 2024
A board game designed to help children strengthen their logical and mathematical skills. The gameplay focuses on memory and strategic step-counting.
6. Tinder Terror
Acrylic painting on laser-cut templates,
each one is 5 x 6 x 4 inches
March 2026
A short humorous series about the dangers of meeting new people on Tinder.
Who is really behind the screen?
7. Security Guard
Clay sculpture, 10 x 10 x 10 inches
December 2024
A character concept for a minor enemy from a forgotten RPG. The Security Guard is gullible, easily distracted, and does not even know what is inside the room he is guarding.
8. Priest and Son
Digital drawing, 6.5 x 3 inches
September 2025
A character design concept for an evil alcoholic priest and his son. They fight against fairies in the woods in an attempt to stop the locals from worshipping “pagan spirits.” Unsuccessfully.
© NINA KHMELEVA