I'm Kristina Zakhozhai, a visual storyteller and illustrator with 10+ years of professional experience in digital painting, concept art, character illustration, and narrative image-making. I create expressive characters, richly illustrated environments, and story-driven artwork across books, comics, publishing, and screen-based media. I also develop independent publishing projects including graphic novels and colouring books, bringing print-ready illustration and long-form storytelling to each project. I thrive on maintaining consistent characters across long-form work and collaborating across print and digital media. My practice spans independent publishing, client commissions, and VFX-informed visual storytelling for film and television, blending artisanal illustration with narrative design to engage audiences.

Kristina Zakhozhai

I'm Kristina Zakhozhai, a visual storyteller and illustrator with 10+ years of professional experience in digital painting, concept art, character illustration, and narrative image-making. I create expressive characters, richly illustrated environments, and story-driven artwork across books, comics, publishing, and screen-based media. I also develop independent publishing projects including graphic novels and colouring books, bringing print-ready illustration and long-form storytelling to each project. I thrive on maintaining consistent characters across long-form work and collaborating across print and digital media. My practice spans independent publishing, client commissions, and VFX-informed visual storytelling for film and television, blending artisanal illustration with narrative design to engage audiences.

Available to hire

I’m Kristina Zakhozhai, a visual storyteller and illustrator with 10+ years of professional experience in digital painting, concept art, character illustration, and narrative image-making. I create expressive characters, richly illustrated environments, and story-driven artwork across books, comics, publishing, and screen-based media. I also develop independent publishing projects including graphic novels and colouring books, bringing print-ready illustration and long-form storytelling to each project.

I thrive on maintaining consistent characters across long-form work and collaborating across print and digital media. My practice spans independent publishing, client commissions, and VFX-informed visual storytelling for film and television, blending artisanal illustration with narrative design to engage audiences.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Illustrator, Writer & Independent Publisher at Self-employed / Freelance
January 1, 2010 - Present
Creator, writer, and illustrator of long-form graphic novels, colouring books and novels. Released notable projects: The Book of Contradictions; Sovereign Colouring Book; Christmas Nevermore; The Angel of Elydria.
Compositor at Guru Studio
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016
Compositor on projects including Paw Patrol and Justin Time.
Head of Digital Matte-Painting VFX at PIXOMONDO
January 1, 2016 - Present
Project management, team management, art/concept shot work, and team training. Notable projects: Avatar: The Last Airbender; Damsel; John Wick: Chapter 4; See, Season 3; Halo; Star Trek: Discovery; The Mandalorian; The Umbrella Academy; The Boys; Wonder Woman.
Marketing & Brand Designer (Additional Role) at PIXOMONDO
January 1, 2020 - Present
Corporate branding, ads development, social media content creation, YouTube content creation, videography and editing. Project examples include Director’s Guild of Canada Workshop and Virtual Production BTScenes.

Education

Master of Liberal Arts, Extension Studies, Management at Harvard University
January 1, 2024 - May 29, 2026
Credential of Readiness (CORe) – Economics for Managers; Business Analytics; Financial Accounting at Harvard Business School Online
January 1, 2023 - May 29, 2026
Certificate in Visual Effects for TV and Film at Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
January 1, 2024 - May 29, 2026
BS in Industrial and Product Design at Ural State Academy of Architecture and Arts
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013

Qualifications

Generalist VFX Artist
January 1, 2014 - May 29, 2026
Credential of Readiness (CORe) - Economics for Managers; Business Analytics; Financial Accounting
January 1, 2023 - May 29, 2026
Certificate in Visual Effects for TV and Film
January 1, 2024 - May 29, 2026
Generalist VFX Artist
January 1, 2014 - May 29, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet