Interested in art from a young age, Ms. Kontorina began formal art studies while in architectural college in Gorky, Russia. She continued her art studies while earning a graduate degree in architecture from the Architecture University in Kazan, Russia.

Ms. Kontorina has worked with oils, watercolors, gouache, and acrylics for the past thirty years and is currently concentrating on watercolors. Subjects of her recent work include still life paintings, landscapes, architectural motifs, and portraits.