I am a graphic designer, photographer and photo-based artist. I grew up in Moscow, Russian Federation, lived in Israel for several years, and settled in Seattle nearly twenty years ago.

It took me years to complete my design and photography education and switch careers from trade and logistics (with design and photography on the side) to full-time creative work. Without exxageration, my profession is a source of daily joy for me, in spite of the requisite stress that comes with unreasonable clients and mad deadlines. I make a living primarily as a graphic designer but do lots of street and neighborhood photography and occasionally show it in Seattle venues. Check out some of my photos essays at lanablinderman.com. Recently, I have begun exploring site-specific installation and mixed media art with the use of my photography.

As a person and an artist, I have always been a city person through and through. Seattle provides a backdrop for my wandering, my thinking, and my photography. As a city dweller, I also enjoy fashion and make it work for me with a combination of new and used. Local thrift store people know me by name. I am also a big fan of all things roses, leopards, and gilded metal.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I enjoy occasional travel and find it so much more interesting to learn about a new place with the help of a friendly local host than on my own. In my youth, I traveled extensively in Russia & former Soviet Republics with my partner at the time. We always stayed with friends and acquaintances, and always hosted friends and friends of friends in our home. It was a wonderful way to meet new people and travel while being a young, broke hippie. I am not so young and not quite so broke anymore but excited to rediscover this way to visit places and meet people.

The reason I am not accepting guests is that my boyfriend and I live in a very small space. This may change in the future if we get a larger apartment!

Interests

• architecture
• interior design
• graphic design
• photography
• reading
• road trips
• art
• film photography
• graphic novels
• comic books
• walking around
• vintage fashion
• thrift stores
• iphone photography
• mystery novels
• housing justice
• architectural preservation

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
New wave, punk, ska, reggae, rock; Italo Disco, Soviet block 70's & 80's new wave, rock & pop; contemporary music.

Books:
Graphic novels, comic books (esp. Boom! Studios), mystery novels, thought-provoking social commentary, occasional fiction.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I immigrated twice.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you how to take a well-composed photo on your iPhone if you don't know how to already. And how to say stuff in Russian or Hebrew.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share stories or cook a simple but tasty meal.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belarus, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel, Russian Federation, United States