Photo Taken by Clarissa Pane Uvegi Anna-Nina Kovalenko ...Was born and grew up in a small Siberian village, in Old believers family. Studied in Moscow, Power Engineering Institute, then State Cinematography Institute. Worked for Siberian TV and newspaper. Back to Moscow; trained as an artist under Alexey Maximov. Became a member of Independent Artists Association (Malaya Gruzinskaya, 28). Organized exhibitions with young hippy artists, most remarkable the show-parade "Art is stronger than Bombs". Member of group of peace initiatives "Trust" (Group for trust and confidence between East and West). For solo peace activity was arrested and imprisoned. Released was granted political asylum by US Embassy and in 1987 arrived to New York. Since then Member of Salon des Independants (Paris) and few art groups. Recipient of diplomas and medals from Ministery Cultural Affairs Francais. Member of Russian Writers Club, NY and Pen American Center. Published 17 books and many stories in Russian and English magazines and languages. Lives and works in New York.