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ksana Viriutina began her nail journey in 2016 in a small town in eastern Ukraine. Over the past 10 years, she’s progressed from working at a manicure table in her home, to showcasing her skills at the
Nailympia Anaheim
competition, and opening a nail studio in California.
Although rewarding, competing takes courage and determination, as Oksana relays: “The creative spark can easily fade in the routine of everyday salon work. I’ve always been aware of my abilities and potential, and with the support of my family, I took the leap and entered Nailympia Anaheim 2026. I have not regretted that decision. Nailympia allows you to prove yourself and confidently say, ‘I can do it’. Talent, dedication and passion are needed to reach a stage like that.”
The call of competitions
It was at this year’s Nailympia Anaheim that Oksana entered the Extreme Nail Styling Poster category with the image that adorns this month’s Scratch cover, taking the gold medal in Division 2. She shares the concept behind the image, detailing: “The poster, named ‘The Way Home’, was born from my personal experiences. In 2022, due to the war, I was forced to leave my home in Ukraine, and that journey of emigration brought me to the United States. However, this work is also about growth and building a creative and professional path. At the same time as adapting to a new country, I began my competition journey. I’m truly happy with what that path has brought me: achievements in championships, creative recognition and countless nail art ideas and opportunities.
‘‘ Through competing, I realised that I don’t have to adapt to others – I can be unique. ‘‘
“I know that my search for ‘home’, like that of many immigrants, is not finished yet,” Oksana continues. “This piece captures a frozen moment of movement: a stork in the middle of its journey. I believe that constant movement towards new goals gives us life and opens doors. The rest of the story is left to the viewer: will the stork reach home or continue flying towards something new?”
Putting her personal experiences to the forefront of her mind, Oksana harnessed her creative spark and free-flowing imagination to fashion the nail design, revealing: “I always begin with feeling; meaning comes first. For me, it’s essential to create a story – not just something visually beautiful. People may not know my background, but they can feel the message. Interestingly, the inspiration for this piece was ignited by something I quite literally found on the street, and from that moment, the concept formed instantly. I believe that when a story is yours to tell, it arrives naturally.
“Technical skill is equally important. Without it, you can’t communicate ideas with clarity,” adds Oksana. “In competitions, you must present yourself as a well-rounded artist. I worked under the guidance of North America’s Star Nail Artist Seasons 1 & 2 contestant, Yuliia Kovalchuk, whose support helped me maintain balance, refine details and stay true to my concept.”
The creative process
Reflecting on the photo shoot for the poster, Oksana says: “Everything was thoroughly prepared before the shoot, so the process was smooth and professional on the day. It was important to me that every detail supported the concept – from the model’s pose to the lighting. The team was small, featuring a photographer, model and retoucher, and everyone was deeply involved and connected to the project. From the initial idea to the final image, the process took several months. It was intense, emotional and something I will always remember.”
Oksana reveals that the most challenging part of creating the poster was balancing the project with client work, and the nail look took several weeks to complete. “After developing a sketch, I brought the design to life, primarily using gel,” she says. “It was very detailed, meticulous work requiring a lot of filing, constant adjustments and careful refinement. I allowed myself to slow down and fully immerse in the process.”
Capturing a wealth of symbolism, Oksana tells a strong story across the nails. “The sharp elements in the design represent challenges: pressure, fear and uncertainty, but they are static,” she explains. “The wings, however, are in motion – and that’s the key idea I wanted to portray: as long as you keep moving, you will eventually pass through any obstacle.
“The stork in my work is a symbol of endless flight – of moving forward even when it’s difficult or the journey wasn’t your choice,” Oksana continues. “My experiences forced me to ‘take off’, whether I was ready or not. We are often placed on new paths, yet choosing to keep going is up to us. I chose to move forward: to rebuild my life, establish a new home, forge a career and rediscover myself through creativity. Competitions reflect the same reality – they’re not always easy. There are time constraints, creative blocks and moments when you feel lost, but that is exactly what creates growth.
“I’ve always been a creative person. As a child, I attended art school and expressed myself through painting, crafts and other forms of creativity – and I’ve now been in the nail industry for 10 years. However, competing has allowed me to fully unlock my potential. Before Nailympia Anaheim, I didn’t realise how much I could express using a jar of gel.”
The
Manicure Poster
that scooped Oksana a gold medal at
Nailympia Anaheim
2026 (Division 2).
True to oneself
Competitions have given Oksana confidence in her work, as she divulges: “Through competing, I realised that I don’t have to adapt to others – I can be unique. It became clear that my style is original and interesting to others. I now have many ideas and plans, and am actively developing my social media while being open to new creative projects. I’m also supporting those starting their journeys in competitive nail art. My favourite part of competing is immersing myself in crafting full concepts and stories via poster works. I also enjoy applying my gel skills to unusual and complex areas of art.
“Today, I’m proud not only of my awards, but the work I’ve created,” Oksana smiles. “Every piece – whether for competitions or social media, is meaningful and personal to me. I chose nail art because it’s more than a service: it’s art in miniature. Within this medium, I can express almost anything, and that gives me endless creative freedom. I also love that this industry goes beyond nails. It embraces communication, content creation, fashion and competitions. It’s a multidimensional space where, like a bird, you are free to choose your direction.
“I truly hope that my work inspires others to begin their own creative nail journeys.”
COVER CREDITS
Nail artist: Oksana Viriutina
@ksunnynails Photographer: Kate Zotova
@pacifica.studioModel: Aichurok Toroeva aya.toroeva
Retoucher: Ruta ruta.retouch