Anya and Varya Kendel were born in 1992. In 2012 they graduated from the Chelyabinsk Art School, and in 2019 they graduated from the Stieglitz Academy in St. Petersburg, Faculty of Book Graphics.

Anya and Varya Kendel are twin sisters who work together on book illustrations! One of them is left-handed, the other is right-handed, and as children they drew the same picture at the same time. It's a little different now, but they work on each illustration in turn.

Anya and Varya were born and grew up in the Urals, one of the most beautiful places in Russia. Here there are ancient mountains, birch and pine forests, and clear lakes. Therefore, the most favorite theme for their works is nature.

They were invited in Global Artist Committee of Asian Art Association in August 2022.

The technique in which we now work is best described as a «mix.» We use different materials, combining them in one work: watercolor, acrylic, gouache, ink, pencils, charcoal and collage.

In our free time, we try to travel. We enjoy the spirit of adventure, hitchhiking, the joys and challenges of hiking. All of this helps to inspire us to do new and interesting projects.

The girls have designed more than 20 books and magazines, and won prizes in international competitions, for example:

Grand Prix BIBF Ananas 2020
Grand Prix Berrywaterfest, 2020
Grand Award Golden Pinwheel CCBF, 2021
Grand Jury Prize BIBF Ananas, 2021
Golden Apple of BIB 2021 Bratislava
laureates Cheltenham illustration awards, 2021
Second place Brightness Illustration Award in the Editorial category 21
Bologna Children Book Fair 2021, finalists
Cheltenham illustration awards, shortlist, 2020
Chen Bochui International Children's Literature Award (CICLA) shortlist, 2021
Golden Pinwheel CCBF, shortlist, 2020
World illustration Awards, shortlist, 2021
Cheltenham illustration awards, shortlist, 2020