Supermodel Sasha Pivovarova is a supermodel, a muse and an artist creating fantastical expressionist paintings.

Sasha Pivovarova has always been a creator. Growing up in Moscow, the ethereal beauty with catlike eyes spent hours studying the drawings of the old masters. While traveling the world modeling for Prada, Dior and Gucci, she passed the time sketching in her notebooks. Today the muse-turned- master splits her time between the Hamptons and Sunny Isles, where she lives with her husband, photographer Igor Vishnyakov.

When did you begin making artwork?
I’ve been doing art all my life. I just never stopped. Every child can draw. But at 5 years old, some kids start to play with cars, some kids start to play with dolls. I never stopped playing with paints. In my teenage years I painted murals on the walls of Moscow. I always kept my sketchbook with me while traveling or being backstage at a fashion show.

Why is art a passion for you?
For me art is the highest form of freedom. It’s a perfect way to express myself and my favorite form of meditation.

How would you describe the style of your art?
I guess I can call myself an expressionist. My art is all about feelings and emotions. I don’t care about lines or proportions. I need to like a picture; overall it has to convey the mood and tell the story. Most of the time it is the story of my life. Life itself is the continuous source of inspiration. Expressionism is like music—it goes directly to your heart.

Who are some artists whom you admire?
My favorite artist also happens to be my husband, Igor Vishnyakov. His work has an ethereal quality to it.

Do you collect art? Who are some artists that you collect?
I have many presents from brilliant artists from the fashion industry and beyond such as photographs of me by Karl Lagerfeld, Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, Inez and Vinoodh, Mario Sorrenti, Patrick Demarchelier. And also a few marvelous pieces by masters of Russian modern art such as Ernst Neizvestny and Alexander Ney.

You’ve collaborated with Prada and Dior. How has fashion and modeling influenced your career as an artist?
Starting with my first days at Prada, people in the fashion industry were always very supportive of my art. The latest was Dior, who gave me an opportunity to show my art at the Dior S/S 2018 campaign where I was a model and an artist, and in a private exhibition celebrating the launch of this campaign held in New York, where I exhibited my works including sculptures, paintings, drawings and video art. I also created an interactive installation room full of expressive oversized faces staring at you from all directions. I wanted people to shrink down and enter my painting and feel the story behind it.

What are some of your favorite places in Miami?
Wynwood for its many colorful murals, Mr Chow restaurant for its cuisine and Faena Hotel for its art collection.