Katya Gridneva is an Ukrainian painter.
As a child she loved to draw and paint, but this talent was set aside when she was selected to be a gymnast at one of Russia’s prestigious Sports Schools.
This career came to an abrupt end when she was injured in a fall from the bar.
Her significant artistic talent was recognised by her acceptance in 1993 to the Academy of Fine Arts in St Petersburg, also known as the Repin Institute.