Life for most artists could be termed "unpredictable," but this holds especially true for Russian immigrant artists Valentina and Vladimir Vainstain, who now live in Salt Lake City.
Both Vainstains were born in the Soviet Union in 1950 and graduated from Voroshilovgrad Art College in 1973. Vladimir works in oil, watercolor, acrylic and tempera. He also makes clay toys and small sculptures and describes his work as "quasi-realism." Valentina refers to her style of painting as "folk-abstract." She also uses oil, watercolor, acrylic and tempera, and says her art is influenced by Miro, Matisse and Moore."I attempt to represent the elements of beauty and harmony, which connect the human soul to its environment," she says.
Like many struggling artists, the Vainstains - who are presently living on welfare - dream of having their work well-known and appreciated - and said it is this dream that brought their family to the United States.
"In Russia, only socialist realism art is legal," Valentina Vainstain said. "I could not sell my art and could only show it in underground exhibits."
When she speaks of her family's trek to America, she smiles and expresses insights that only one who has traveled in her shoes could. She says that on the day of departure she felt no fear of what might lie ahead - only excitement.
"We tried for 10 years before we were finally able to leave." When they did, the government only allowed them to take 100 rubles per person, equivalent to less than $1,000, for the Vainstains and their seven children to start their new life.
The Vainstains have only been in the United States for one year, and so far it hasn't been easy, despite the legendary American dream. Valentina Vainstain says Utah has a poor market for art.
"Utah is nice for living, but we are having a hard time selling our art," she says.
Regardless of the hard times, the Vainstains have no regrets. "Life was so bad in Russia," she says. "Here we are alive. We have hope and a chance to succeed. In Russia, we had no chance."
Late last year, the Vainstains enjoyed some local exposure. Their works were exhibited in the Atrium Gallery in Salt Lake City's Main Branch Library. Their art also graced the walls of Cafe Central.
The Vainstains have four more years before they will be considered official residents of the United States, but the youngest Vainstain is already a citizen. Valentina Vainstain gave birth to her eighth child, John, only two months after the family's arrival in the United States, and she says her son's birth marks a new life for all of them.
"We are happy here," she says. Her children are adapting well and are learning fast at school, and she's been taking English classes at Salt Lake Community College.
"We are lucky," she says. "People here don't realize how different the Soviet Union is."