Shana was born in 1967 in the town of Fergana-city, Uzbekistan in the former Soviet Union. She studied art at the Benkoff Art College, in Tashkent-city, graduating in 1984 as a scenic artist. Continuing her education she studied at the Ostrosky State University of Fine Art in Tashkent-city, graduating in 1990 as an artist of TV and Cinema. In 1999 Shana and her family moved to Canada where they continue to reside today.\par \par As a child Shana was always drawing and painting, but she never aspired to become a full time artist. The career found her, and even now she still finds it difficult to think of herself as a successful artist. Discussing her works proves to be challenging, as she is still very much in awe of her success.\par \par Shana says her inspiration comes from inside, rather than choose her subjects she allows them to choose her. Painting objects and secenes that evoke an emotion in her. She draws upon her memories and experiences to provide her with subjects. Shana prefers to work with oil and acrylics, however, she enjoys experimenting with new mediums, always open to seeing what "can be" rather than what "is".