GCGA

Oksana Novikova

European Chapter

Born on August 20, 1971, in Dnepropetrovsk, Oksana Novikova’s journey into grooming was anything but expected. At 23, she moved to Kharkiv to begin a new chapter of life with her husband, later becoming a mother of two and now a proud grandmother of two.

At 38, following her divorce, Oksana found herself at a turning point—one that led her to ask a simple but powerful question: Who am I?

She had never envisioned a career in grooming. Her initial goal was to open a pet salon, and in order to truly understand the work behind it, she enrolled in hands-on training for grooming small and medium-sized dogs and cats. What began as a practical step quickly became something more.

Through that process, Oksana discovered a deep connection to the craft. She began experimenting with grooming and coat coloring, and what started as curiosity soon grew into passion. Drawn to the creative possibilities, she pursued further education in creative coloring and decorative coat design.

Since 2018, Oksana has been dedicated to the art of creative grooming—transforming coats into expressive, living canvases while continuing to explore and refine her artistic voice.

Kharkiv, Ukraine

Other Artists in the European Chapter

Browse more Artists

Alina Koliesnikova

Creative Groomer

Alina Koliesnikova’s grooming journey began at home with her beloved dogs: Aurora, a toy poodle; Agatha, a standard poodle; and Nikole, a spirited Chihuahua. Inspired by her poodles’ elegance, she first specialized in pure breed grooming, mastering the skill of maintaining breed standards and highlighting their natural beauty. But it was the discovery of creative grooming that truly ignited her passion, opening the door to endless artistic possibilities.

Creative grooming gave Alina a way to merge her artistry with her love for animals, turning each dog into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Known for her signature use of pink, she has developed a style that is both playful and bold, creating designs that spark joy and capture attention. She treasures the delight on people’s faces when they notice her creative touches - a reaction that drives her to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas.

As a competitor, Alina regularly participates in grooming shows, where her innovative designs stand out for their color, flair, and precision. She also shares her expertise through masterclasses in creative grooming, teaching other professionals how to balance creativity with safety. Her mission is to show that creative grooming can be safe, enjoyable, and completely animal-friendly - enhancing individuality while prioritizing the health and comfort of each pet.

For Alina, grooming is more than a profession: it is a calling. Every dog she touches receives not only artistry, but also care, respect, and love. Through her competition work, teaching, and salon practice, she continues to inspire groomers and pet owners across Europe to see grooming as both a craft and an art form.

As a proud member of the GCGA European Chapter, Alina Koliesnikova is dedicated to advancing creative grooming as a joyful, expressive, and responsible discipline - one that celebrates individuality while upholding the highest standards of safety and well-being.

Accolades

1st Place – Model Dog category, “UkraineGroom” All-Ukrainian Grooming Competition 2025
2nd Place – Poodle category, “UkraineGroom” All-Ukrainian Grooming Competition 2025
2nd Place – Salon Grooming category, “Grooming United” Competition 2023
Teacher at Barberpet Grooming School since 2024
Masterclass Speaker with the Ukrainian Grooming Association since 2023

Certifications

Training with UA Poodle Club President Ilana Simkina
the Ukrainian Grooming Association (2021–2025)
Pierre Vitale (Asian Style & Poodle T-clip, 2023)
Gabriel Feitosa (Bichon Frisé Commercial)
Sathit Suratphiphit (Asian Style & Donut Face)
Steven Hong (Asian Style)
Eliot Hernandez (Wire Fox Terrier)

More Info

Anastazja Mazurkina

Creative Groomer

Anastazja Mazurkina is a rising talent in the creative grooming community, blending technical skill with a bold artistic vision rooted in her background as both a horse trainer and professional clipper. Based in Warsaw, Poland, Anastazja brings a unique perspective to grooming, having spent the past three years professionally clipping horses and mastering the art of coat patterning.

Originally a horseback riding trainer, Anastazja’s career took an unexpected turn after motherhood inspired her to explore new passions. What began as an interest in clipping horses soon blossomed into a full-fledged grooming business. Known for her freehand coat designs and precise execution, Anastazja is self-taught, relying on intuition, creativity, and a natural eye for composition to guide her work.

Now, after a year of working professionally as a dog groomer, Anastazja is focused on expanding into creative grooming—merging her love of animals with her flair for artistic expression. Whether grooming dogs or styling horses, she approaches every session with care, imagination, and a deep sense of purpose.

As a proud member of the GCGA Europe Chapter, Anastazja Mazurkina continues to push boundaries with originality, dedication, and a fearless commitment to artistic growth.

Instagram

More Info

Arzu Yurter

Arzu Yurter began her career as a recognized makeup artist and beauty expert in Türkiye’s beauty and arts industry, where she built a reputation for pushing creative boundaries. As one of the early pioneers of special effects (SFX) makeup in her country, her work earned her a place among only three artists featured in a prestigious reference book on the history of Turkish cinema.

Her extensive experience includes leading roles as head makeup artist and supervisor across feature films, television series, commercial campaigns, and music videos. Alongside her work in production, Arzu has contributed to the academic and professional community by delivering lectures at vocational schools and film-television programs, mentoring students, and publishing in national newspapers and magazines.

Driven by a lifelong passion for art, Arzu transitioned into pet grooming, where she seamlessly merged her background in aesthetics with animal care. To deepen her artistic foundation, she pursued studies in anatomy, sculpture, and gouache painting, later exhibiting her work in collective art shows. Today, she is known for elevating grooming into a refined art form.

Arzu has further specialized in Asian Fusion and Creative Grooming, training under internationally respected artists including Alena Kovyazina, Olga Pristaychuk, and Anna Bardysheva. Her certification in cosmetology through Iv San Bernard adds a strong scientific framework to her creative practice.

A defining milestone in her career was representing Türkiye at the 2025 Hyponic Vietnam Grooming Competition, where she earned 1st Place in the Model Dog Challenge: Creative Grooming Arts category—an achievement that brought international recognition to her work.

Arzu currently operates her salon, My Perry Pet, where she continues to refine her craft. With a strong commitment to education, she actively shares her knowledge through seminars and mentorship, guiding the next generation of groomers. For Arzu, creative grooming is an evolving discipline where artistry, technique, and care come together.

Certifications

Alena Kovyazina ( master class groomer )
Olga Pristaychuk ( master class groomer asian fusion)
Anna Bardysheva ( Asian Fusion master class groomer )
Iv San Bernard ıntro Cosmolotology Stage Monique Van De Ven
Technics of Health Grooming Iv San Bernard Monique Van De Ven
Teddy Dog (international groomers Association creative grooming Course)
Teddy dog International Groomers Association Level B
Hyponic Vietnam Grooming Competition - Model Dog challenge Creative Grooming Arts Entry
Ataşahir Adıgüzel Üniversitesi evcil hayvan kuaförlüğü c bölüm (kalfalık)
Ataşehir Adıgüzel Üniversitesi evcil hayvan kuaförlüğü B bölüm (Ustalık)
Paşakapısı MEM C bölüm ( kalfalık MEB onaylı)
Paşakapısı MEM B Bölüm ( Ustalık MEB onaylı )
Paşakapısı MEM A bölüm ( Usta eğitmen MEB ) onaylı
Accolades
Hyponic Vietnam International Grooming Competition 2025 (1st PLACE )-Model Dog Challenge,creative Grooming Arts
Global Creative Grooming Association November-December Christmas Groom of The Month Competition 3st Place

Instagram | Tiktok | Facebook

More Info

Cristina Martínez

Creative Groomer

Cristina Martínez is an award-winning creative dog groomer and stylist based in Almería, Spain. With over 16 years of experience—more than half her life—Cristina has built a career driven by passion, precision, and an unwavering love for animals. From the very beginning, scissors and creativity became her language of expression, shaping a grooming journey rooted in artistry and care.

In 2013, Cristina founded The Happy Pet, her own dog grooming salon, a space where creativity thrives and animals are treated with deep respect and affection. Her competitive career began in 2020 during the pandemic, when she earned First Place at the Villena Groom Online Live Creative competition. Since then, her work has consistently reached the podium, with accolades including Gold Medals at Groomastur Creative, the Granada Creative Championship (along with Best in Show), and the Molina de Segura European–International Creative Championship, as well as a Silver Medal at Iberogrooming Sevilla and First Place at the Halloween Dog Color Online Championship.

Drawn naturally to color, Cristina has embraced creative grooming as both an art form and a message—advocating that color, when done responsibly, is joyful, beautiful, and an expression of love, never mistreatment. Through perseverance, growth, and dedication, she has helped clients and audiences alike see creative grooming in a new light. Creating brings Cristina immense happiness, and she hopes to continue sharing her passion for a lifetime.

Cristina would be honored to become part of the GCGA, an organization she deeply admires for its commitment to creativity, excellence, and the artistic future of grooming.

Instagram

More Info

Ewa Siara

Horses have been a central part of Ewa’s life for as long as she can remember, shaping her both personally and professionally. From an early age, she was deeply involved in riding and training, earning numerous awards and accomplishments in show jumping over the years. The discipline, patience, and connection required in equestrian sport have taught her invaluable lessons that continue to guide her work today. In 2019, she took another important step in her journey, becoming a professional groomer dedicated to the daily care, preparation, and presentation of horses.

Alongside her love for horses, Ewa has always nurtured an artist’s soul. She pursued this passion academically, earning a degree in visual graphics and developing a strong foundation in composition, aesthetics, and visual storytelling. Over time, she discovered that her greatest fulfillment comes from combining these two worlds — her lifelong connection with horses and her creative way of thinking and expressing ideas.

Today, Ewa brings together technical expertise, artistic sensitivity, and deep respect for each horse she works with. Creating and presenting clipping designs in a thoughtful, aesthetic, and truly creative way allows her to merge passion, experience, and vision into every project. Through her work, Ewa continues to elevate equine grooming, blending artistry and care while inspiring others in the equestrian and creative communities.

Accolades

VII.2025 Graduated with a degree in **Graphics**.