Today we’d like to introduce you to Masha Menshikova.
Hi Masha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I don’t really remember a time when I wasn’t drawing or making things. As a kid, I was always rearranging objects, cutting paper, inventing little worlds. But for a long time, I didn’t call myself an “artist”—I just thought of it as something I had to do.
Over time, I started taking it more seriously: studying, experimenting, and showing my work. The more I committed, the more I realized that art was my way of processing the world—especially all the contradictions, the awkwardness, and the in-between spaces. That was when it stopped being a hobby and became my actual path.
At the moment I’m a professional artist, working at the intersection of figurative painting and surreal storytelling. My recent series explores mannequins and chess as metaphors for identity, movement, and the choices we make. Alongside my studio practice, I run a pop-up art studio where we provide “Plein Air” experience and host open-air art classes for kids and adults. My goal is to make art less intimidating and more like play—whether on canvas or in the sand.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been smooth, but I’m grateful for every bump because it shaped me as an artist and a teacher.
Launching the Pop-Up Art Studio on the beach came with its own learning curve: logistics, unpredictable weather, transporting materials, and figuring out how to make newcomers of all ages feel comfortable creating in public. It took trial and error, but each setback made the experience stronger.
Today, those struggles feel like stepping stones. They helped me build something authentic, resilient, and community-focused.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work sits at the intersection of figurative art and surreal symbolism. I’m most known for my ongoing series that explores mannequins, chessboards, and states of transformation. I use the mannequin figure almost like a stand-in for the human experience—something familiar yet anonymous, caught between stillness and motion. The chess elements bring in ideas of strategy, choices, and the invisible forces that shape our lives. Together, they create a visual language that is both structured and dreamlike.
I’m also proud of the pop-up beach art studio I created, where I teach open-air classes for kids and adults. It combines my two passions—art and community. I believe creativity becomes more accessible when people are outdoors, relaxed, and connected to nature. Watching someone who insists they “can’t draw” light up during a class is one of the most rewarding parts of my practice.
What sets me apart is the combination of my visual storytelling and my approach to teaching. My art has a distinctive, symbolic language, but my teaching is all about dissolving fear and making creativity feel playful again. I don’t just create finished pieces—I create experiences. Whether in the studio or on the beach, I try to help people see the beauty in imperfection and the power in their own imagination.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Miami is its energy — the color, movement, and diversity. The light here is incredible, and the sunsets feel like a daily performance. Miami’s beach culture is especially inspiring to me. The shoreline is a place where everyone crosses paths: locals on evening walks, families on vacation, couples watching the sunset, kids running after waves.
All of that energy flows into my sunset painting classes. The waves relax people, the shifting sky inspires them, and the open space makes everyone feel welcome. It becomes more than an art class — it becomes a true Miami experience, and sharing that with visitors and locals is one of my favorite parts of what I do.
My least favorite thing is the traffic — Miami drivers keep you on your toes! And on some days, the heat and humidity feel like a character of their own. But even those things are part of the city’s personality.
Pricing:
- Sunset Painting on the beach starting from 65$ per person
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.equilibriumsoul.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popup_artstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EquilibriumArtstudio
- Other: https://www.mashashab.com
