I love life. I cherish it in all its forms and manifestations, from a dewdrop glistening on the grass to

clouds dissolving on the horizon. I find intrigue in both the tangible world and the mysteries

hidden from our sight and consciousness. My wellspring of inspiration can be as simple as the

enigmatic life of plants in my garden or the play of light along the wall in my studio. It is from

these moments that the seeds of my future pictures are sown.

The love for nature seems to be imprinted in my genes, perhaps due to my birth in Siberia, a land

of boundless beauty and diversity. My fascination with people led me to pursue a career as a professional portrait painter-photographer. The extensive classical art education I received in

Russia has equipped me with a versatile array of techniques for capturing the essence of a

person. Alongside my trusty paints, my primary artistic tools include a photo camera and a video

camera. Presently, much of my creative focus is on digital works, where I blend various

techniques, incorporating fragments of my abstract paintings with photography. This approach

grants me a wealth of opportunities to enrich the narrative, crafting pieces that are both intriguing

and highly artistic.

CV (short)

Disciplines: Painting, Photography, Audiovisual Media

1959, April 7 – Ludmila Bessonova (artist name – Lucy Besson) born in Novokuznetsk, Russia. 1976 – 1980 – Regional Art Academy of Kemerovo/Russia, department: Painting/Drawing. 1980 – 1982 - Teacher at the School of Visual Arts, Novokuznetsk, Russia.
1982 – 1987 – Stroganov Academy of Industrial Art and Design, Moscow / Russia, department: Interior Design; Specialization: Textile Design.

Awards and Nominations:

2023 – Nominated for the Dutch Portrait Prize 2023.
2018 – II International Triennial of Contemporary Graphic Arts in Novosibirsk, Russia. 2nd prize in the category “Digital Art”.
2016 –Nominated for New Dutch Photography Talent 2016, GUP Magazine, Amsterdam / NL. 2014 – “Portrait of King Willem Alexander” for the Municipality of Veenendaal. 2nd prize.
2007 – XI International Film Festival for TV Programs and Documentary Films in Russia / Khanty- Mansiysk, 2nd prize for the film: "Create Your Personal Myth", diploma in "Screenplay and Direction".
Lucy Besson has participated in more than 110 regional and international exhibitions, art fairs, and film festivals.
Selected Exhibitions:
2023 – Slot Zeist, Portraits exhibition (group exhibition).
2023 – Kunsthuis Wijchen, NL (solo).
2023 – Monat Gallery, Madrid, Spain (group exhibition).
2023 – (un)Expected Art Fair Milan, Italy.
2022 – Climate Expo' 22, Museum de Fundatie, Heino / NL (group exhibition).
2022 - The 42nd Mini Print International of Cadaqués, Spain.
2022 – Lessedra World Art Print Annual — Mini Print 2018, Sofia, Bulgaria.
2021 - Liege/Belgium, Museum La Boverie, 1st International Watercolor Festival.
2018 – Museum of Modern Arts in Novokoeznetsk / RU, Portraits exhibition (solo).
2018 – II International Triennial of Contemporary Graphic Arts in Novosibirsk / RU.
2015 – Amsterdam, Annual Dutch Art Fair.
2015 – Brussels/BE, 14th International Watercolor Biennal “Salon de L`Aquarelle de Belgique”. 2015 – Beuningen/NL Galerie De Nieuwe Gang (solo exhibition).
2015 – Norwich/EN, International project “War and Peace” (group exhibition).
2008 - Miami, Florida / USA, Women’s International Film Festival, South Florida / USA.

Lucy Besson is the author of numerous video documentaries and several photo books.
Her artworks are in private collections and museums around the world, including Russia, Netherlands, England, Scotland, Israel, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, and the USA.