Rooted in Nature, Guided by Cats: The Art of Viktoria “Branchstone”
The art community plays a vital role in supporting and inspiring artists—and it’s through this connection that I met the wonderful Viktoria at the Letting in the Light Exhibition. Her nature-based work and heartfelt story left a lasting impression on me. Congratulations to her on being part of the show! I’m so grateful we crossed paths, and I’m honored to introduce you to her unique art and the meaningful role her rescue cats play in her creative journey.
Tell us about yourself
Hi! I’m Viktoria — a nature-obsessed artist originally from Ukraine, now living in the U.S. with my husband, teenage son, and two rescued cats who rule the house.
I work under the name Branchstone, creating abstract, textured artworks using natural materials like tree bark, stones, leaves and anything that catches my eye on a walk. My art is my way of staying grounded and finding meaning in the chaos.
What inspired you to start creating art?
I’ve felt deeply connected to nature and creativity for as long as I can remember — it’s just part of how I exist in the world. But things shifted when I was displaced. When the war began, I lost access to the places that shaped me — the forests I knew by heart, familiar city corners, and my community. In that rupture, I started creating almost instinctively, like stitching together fragments of memory. It became a way to process grief, to stay grounded — healing and, in the most beautiful way, addictive.
Can you tell us about your artistic journey and how you developed your style?
I come from a tech background, but I also studied biology — and somewhere along the way, I kept making these accidental little artworks, always floral and earthy. I’m mostly self-taught, and my style has grown out of intuition, trial and error, and a deep love for nature’s raw, imperfect beauty. Over time, I stopped trying to make things “pretty” and started letting them just be — honest, textured, and true.
Are there any particular artists or art movements that influence your work?
I’m especially inspired by artists who explore nature-driven themes. A few of my favorites are Jaclyn Gordyan, Sabrina Merayo Núñez, and Vered Brett — their work constantly pushes me to see things differently and try new approaches. Outside of the art world, I also get a lot of visual inspiration from photographers like Kilian Schönberger and Supii Lake. Their landscapes and textures remind me why I’m so drawn to organic forms in my own work — they feel like little windows into places I want to honor and preserve.
What message or emotion do you hope to convey through your art?
Stillness. Memory. A reminder that beauty can be raw, quiet, and even broken. I want people to pause — not because the piece is loud, but because it feels familiar in some deep, wordless way.
What role do animals or pets play in your life, and how do they inspire your creativity?
A huge role! Both of my cats are rescues with big stories. Bragi, our mute little fighter, literally climbed up my pants leg as a starving kitten in Poland. He’s absolutely fearless and curious — always the first to explore anything new. Mila traveled with me across Europe during a really uncertain time. She’s more of an observer — gentle, quiet, and incredibly intuitive.
They’re my emotional anchors, and being around them reminds me to stay soft, curious, and present — the exact energy I want to bring into my art. While most of my inspiration comes from plants and natural textures, I also find beauty in more unexpected places — like insect wings, the pattern of lizard skin, or the softness of fur. Nature is full of stories, and animals are a huge part of that for me.
If you were to create a piece to honor a cat who has crossed the rainbow bridge, what mediums, colors, and forms would you choose to express that memory for the owner?
I think I’d be overwhelmed by sorrow and tenderness — so I’d turn to soft, organic textures to hold that emotion. Maybe layered paper or tree bark, with delicate pressed flowers or fine threads woven in to bring balance. I’d use gentle blues and faded golds — colors that feel like memory and soul — and maybe hint at fur texture or whisker-like lines. Nothing too literal. I’d want the piece to feel like a quiet memory, something the heart recognizes more than the eyes.
If the cat could see the piece you made in their memory, what do you imagine they’d say to you?
Probably something like, “Not bad, human. You caught my essence. Now go eat a treat and take a nap in the sun like I taught you.”
Could you share your favorite piece of art with us and the story behind it?
One of my favorites is a piece called “SPRING FIRE.” It’s made with burned tree pieces on a painted canvas that shifts between soft blues, smoky blacks, and flashes of orange — like sparks in the wind. It was inspired by the idea that destruction and rebirth often walk hand in hand. The story behind it goes like this: “And then the world splits open. A blaze, wild and vengeful, turning air to ash, green to black. Even the sky forgets how to hold still. For a while, silence feels like loss. But beneath the burn, roots remember. Life is patient. What seems lost is only waiting. And when it returns, it rises hungry, wild, and full of fire-fed strength.” This piece is a tribute to resilience — to the quiet strength that lies beneath loss, waiting for its moment to rise again.
If you could send a message to yourself three years from now, what would you say? “
Keep choosing wonder over fear. You didn’t come this far to only come this far.
What would you like to say to other artists who are walking a similar path?
Don’t wait to feel ready. Start where you are, with what you have. Your story is messy, quiet, brave and IS already enough. And don’t underestimate the power of community, especially among artists who get what it means to feel things deeply
After listening to her stories and how she presents herself as an artist, I’ve learned so much from Viktoriia—she truly motivates me to keep doing what I love. It’s also amazing how pets can ground us and bring meaning to our lives. Check out her social media and contact information below—I’m sure you’ll find a sense of peace in her beautiful, nature-inspired art.
Branchstone: portfolio
Email: thebranchstone@gmail.com
Instagram: @branchstone.art
