Vika (b. 1985) is an art-based life coach, creative facilitator, and self-taught illustrator. Vika passionately advocates for creativity, helping individuals connect deeply with their authentic and creative selves to build confidence, release burdens, and flourish. Born in Lugansk, Ukraine, and now living in Metuchen, New Jersey, Vika's journey has been shaped by her diverse educational background and her passion for creativity.

 

Vika holds dual Bachelor's degrees in Philosophy and Psychology from Temple University and an MBA from Villanova Business School. She is certified in Professional Life Coaching from the Academy of Creative Coaching, and is currently pursuing the Associate Creative Coach credential. As a coach, Vika listens deeply, challenges limiting beliefs, and provides structure to help clients embrace their ability to transform their lives. Her art-based coaching approach integrates visual art throughout the coaching process to facilitate the client's journey.

 

As an illustrator, Vika uses bold colors, lines, and patterns to bring life to whimsical and powerful female personas. She works with digital media, as well as traditional media such as pencil, markers, and ink. In Chicago, Vika participated in numerous art fairs and displayed her work in various venues including yoga studios, a co-working space, art gallery, and the alderman's office in Humboldt Park, Ukrainian Village, Uptown, Edgewater, and Rogers Park.

 

In 2014, Vika founded a motivational group in Chicago to help creative professionals and creatively stuck individuals gain momentum and maintain accountability in their creative projects. Over the years, the group evolved into a creative self-care group, continuing virtually during Covid. Today, Vika develops and delivers creative self-discovery programs through her group "When We Create™," empowering women to rediscover their passions, build deeper self-awareness, and form personal relationships through intuitive art-making.

 

Since June 2024, Vika has owned and operated Rising Heart Studio in Metuchen, NJ. The studio offers art classes by local guest instructors, creative workshops and programs, group art-based life coaching, open studio hours, intimate gatherings around art, and retail of art materials. These days Vika enjoys working with mixed media, her most recent project are handmade art books using cardboard, paper, and various mixed media including paint, oil pastels, beads, and collage.​​ Vika is also a mother of two and a loving partner to her husband.