Valia Nelavitsky was born in Athens and was involved in painting from an early age. She is a Russian-Greek from a family with an artistic tradition.  She studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts (1948 - 1951) in the workshops of N. Mathiopoulos and G. G. Nalavitsky. Moralis, in Paris (1952 - 1953) and in Rome (1954 - 1955).

 Main works and compositions are mainly still lifes, fruits, books etc. A distinctive artist, many influences mainly from various 17th century Flemish painters. She has many exhibitions to her credit and her works are hosted by a variety of galleries worldwide.