The Brave Journey of Iryna Tarasova in Portugal: From midlife crisis to craft to the Canvas

Iryna, tell us a bit about yourself. When did you move to Portugal and how did it happen?

I've been living in Portugal since the year 2000. Back then, my husband and I didn’t see a future for ourselves in our small Ukrainian town, so we decided to make a change. We didn’t have a clear plan, but the opportunity to move to Portugal came up.

In Ukraine, I worked as a secretary at a public health station. In Portugal, I spent 10 years working in a fruit warehouse, packing pears and apples. Looking back, I’d say I was in a kind of hibernation. I had no dreams, no goals, no ambitions — just home, work, and vacation in the summer. And oddly enough, I was happy in that stillness.

At 34, I had my son. And at 38, I hit that so-called midlife crisis.

I began asking myself the big existential questions: Who am I? What am I doing here?

I realised I had become no one, learned nothing, achieved nothing. That realisation hit me so hard I quit my job the very next day — no plan, no savings, no idea what was next. But it was the boldest and most transformative decision I’ve ever made.

When did you start taking art or craft seriously? Was it intentional or accidental?That moment marked the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in my life. At first, I fell into a depression because I had no idea what to do next. Then one day, I visited a student drawing exhibition — and burst into tears. Something clicked in my soul. Something in those drawings triggered a deep emotional reaction. That’s when I knew I had found my path.

Did you have an artistic background — any studies, family influence, childhood creativity? 

My family was never into art. As a child, I drew a little — mostly for school — wrote journals, made collages, like many girls at the time. Nothing special.

Later, I studied at the School of Art and Design in Caldas da Rainha (Portugal), completing a two-year course in Illustration and Graphic Production. I had actually applied for a Fine Arts degree but failed the drawing exam — not surprising, I didn’t know how to draw yet. But I took the risk and tried with just a month to prepare.

I’m self-taught in painting and still learning, both independently and from other artists. I’ve explored linocut, wood painting, mural art, and ceramic tiles. If I fall in love with a technique or artwork, I immediately want to try something in that spirit myself.

I love experimenting, blending techniques, and learning how others create — what inspired them, what processes they used.

For my collage work, I use old books, magazines, and even cardboard from packaging. I’ve also trained as an art therapist and now give workshops, mainly for adults. I love helping people reconnect with their inner child. I sometimes work with kids too — they’re amazing teachers of creative freedom.

How do you balance your roots with your life in Portugal? Does this show up in your work?

My favorite approach, both in art therapy and my own creative process, is intuitive painting. I start with a line or a blotch of color and let it unfold. That’s where things from childhood start to surface — the garden, the meadow, my grandmother’s house, old dreams or books. Memory just flows into the art.

What are you working on right now — techniques, formats, products?

I focus on four areas:– Custom orders (including murals and paintings)– Gallery and shop collaborations — especially my original and quirky animal portraits– Art workshops and art therapy– Personal development as an artist — I’m planning a new series of large-format works and still shaping the technique and concept.

I also participate in municipal and regional art projects.

How do you run your craft business? Any personal principles that help you grow?

Lifelong learning, keeping my eyes open, connecting with the right people, testing new tools and platforms — and above all, a deep belief in myself and what I do.

What challenges have you faced in your work?

The only major challenge is income instability.

As a freelancer, everything depends on sales and clients — each month is unpredictable. But I’m actively working on this: growing, improving, and reaching new levels.

Where do your clients come from? Local or international? Online or in-person?

A mix of both. I work with locals and internationals, online and offline. Social media and word of mouth have both been really helpful.

What are your goals in the coming years?

I want to give more space to my inner artist — she’s not fully out yet and still knocking.

And I’ll never stop learning. I think that process never ends.

What do you hope to gain from the Craftwork4All project?

I don’t know yet where Craftwork4All will lead me. For me, craft runs parallel to art — another layer of experience, another tool in my kit. Being a multi-functional artist is a joy! I often use craft in my workshops and in mixed media projects.

Looking ahead, I’d love to create large abstract decorative pieces using canvas, cardboard, fabric, mesh, paint, and more — something bold, textured, hypnotic, and beautiful. The kind of work you can mentally wander through like a city, discovering something new around every corner — both in the art and in yourself. Perfect for large interiors or thematic art projects.

FOLLOW THE CRAFTER