Professional Experience A classically trained painter, Elena’s concentration centered on traditional Russian icons, and mastering European lacquer miniature painting techniques. Her award winning work is included in museum collections in Russia at the Orsk Youth Art Institute, and the Moscow Institute of Art and Industry, as well as private collections throughout the United States and Russia. Arnaoutova’s current studio practice has shifted from miniatures to larger oils, using an iconic vocabulary of characters and objects to explore metaphor and personal value.