Nice to have you back, rested and recharged. I’ve been planting sunflowers over the last week (southern hemisphere springtime 🌻), a visual representation of my support for Ukraine which is how I always think of them now!
Welcome back! It sounds like you had an excellent break.
What a beautiful story! And really lovely that each of the people involved understood the link. Very special. I love your paintings. I must think about what I could do with such a print.
My current FB cover photo is a painting I saw of my latest Ukrainian artist discovery, Gennadiy Kyrychenko. I still can hardly believe his paintings are not photographs. Absolutely jaw-dropping. I am slowly getting to recognise some artists, but I'm not so good at recalling names. Mostly because I'm paying more attention to the artworks than the names. So I couldn't name any, perhaps apart from Beata Kurkul, who I know isn't strictly speaking Ukrainian. I will improve in this. But definitely, some amazing and inspiring artists, that's for certain.
Thank you, Laurel! While watching those series, I didn't expect to see mentions of Ukraine, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Even though I was born and raised in Eastern Europe, I don't know many artists and writers either. This is, of course, a direct result of Russian colonialism that made people think of their cultures as less than "great Russian culture." The fact that I need to discover talented people from my native region and learn for the first time how much they achieved makes me very sad but also fills my heart with pride and a feeling of closure. Nothing makes me happier than seeing more people discovering the work of Eastern European artists and writers and learning their stories.
It’s a collaborative project so if you know anyone who would be interested in contributing work, please let them know. Have a read through and see what you think. https://open.substack.com/pub/sunflowersintheblood
Darya, I’ve been to the site of your pix showing the road through the trees. The sense of “Home!” hit me as it did once before when I turned the page of a new history book to see a picture of a recreated Celtic home archaeologists had built amid ruins they were excavating. Just that instinctive boom that perhaps rings from a former life.
Nice to have you back, rested and recharged. I’ve been planting sunflowers over the last week (southern hemisphere springtime 🌻), a visual representation of my support for Ukraine which is how I always think of them now!
Whenever I see sunflowers in people's backyards or parks, I always think of Ukraine, as do many people. Keep planting sunflowers, please!
Sunflowers never used to mean much to me. They were just there. Now they're Ukraine and hope and courage and resolve and incredible bravery.
Same 🌻❤️
Welcome back! It sounds like you had an excellent break.
What a beautiful story! And really lovely that each of the people involved understood the link. Very special. I love your paintings. I must think about what I could do with such a print.
My current FB cover photo is a painting I saw of my latest Ukrainian artist discovery, Gennadiy Kyrychenko. I still can hardly believe his paintings are not photographs. Absolutely jaw-dropping. I am slowly getting to recognise some artists, but I'm not so good at recalling names. Mostly because I'm paying more attention to the artworks than the names. So I couldn't name any, perhaps apart from Beata Kurkul, who I know isn't strictly speaking Ukrainian. I will improve in this. But definitely, some amazing and inspiring artists, that's for certain.
Thank you, Laurel! While watching those series, I didn't expect to see mentions of Ukraine, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Even though I was born and raised in Eastern Europe, I don't know many artists and writers either. This is, of course, a direct result of Russian colonialism that made people think of their cultures as less than "great Russian culture." The fact that I need to discover talented people from my native region and learn for the first time how much they achieved makes me very sad but also fills my heart with pride and a feeling of closure. Nothing makes me happier than seeing more people discovering the work of Eastern European artists and writers and learning their stories.
I’m enjoying the 🌻 and your work. I’ve a newsletter/ hybrid project called Sunflowers in the blood. If you’re interested I’ll drop the link to it.
It might be a difficult read for some as it’s war poetry and prose, so I’ve not left the link here directly.
Best wishes - and peace one day…
TE
Thank you, Tate! Yes, please share the link
Hi Darya,
It’s a collaborative project so if you know anyone who would be interested in contributing work, please let them know. Have a read through and see what you think. https://open.substack.com/pub/sunflowersintheblood
Darya, I’ve been to the site of your pix showing the road through the trees. The sense of “Home!” hit me as it did once before when I turned the page of a new history book to see a picture of a recreated Celtic home archaeologists had built amid ruins they were excavating. Just that instinctive boom that perhaps rings from a former life.
Interesting! What is the picture with the road through the trees that you are referring to?