About Ika

I began my career as a professional dancer, choreographer, and ballet teacher, receiving my training first in Europe, and continuing on in Canada and the U.S., under the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) and Canadian Dance Teachers Association (C.D.T.A.) programs.

My many travels eventually lead me to get a B.A. in Classics (Ancient Greek and Latin), but after graduating and working in the corporate world, I quickly realized it was not for me. I still loved philosophy, metaphysics, art, books. I kept finding myself drawn towards the more creative side of life. If you’re ever sat in a mind-numbingly boring office, you know how soul-sucking it is.

After many years of doing what was “realistic” I finally decided to follow the pull of what I loved most. I fully immersed myself in everything that brings me joy: art, painting, writing, books, music, dance, daydreams. And while it may seem like those who pursue the arts are doing nothing of value, think about this:

“The human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, those are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” - Dead Poet’s Society

Dulce otium.

About Pepella

I’ve got a question for you. When you see a monarch butterfly fluttering by, what do you feel?

For me it stops me in my tracks. The dainty gliding, the ethereal flaps of its gorgeous wings; the seemingly joyful little life it leads. But what a dark and painful transformation it first had to go through!

The butterfly has inspired awe in me since I was a little kid. And what a metaphor for life it gives! From creeping and crawling to flying among the flowers, the butterfly is the epitome of transforming the self. Just when you’re in your darkest hours, when you feel like you can’t go on…you persevere just a bit more and, suddenly, you’ve emerged from your chrysalis, more beautiful and free than ever.

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was going to end, it became a butterfly.”

Pepella means butterfly in Georgian, and I can think of no better name for the art I create, which is always inspired by a sense of beauty, love, strength, and inner joy.