Darya, you always present us with such good stories about Ukrainians. Kateryna Bilokur was a fascinating person. Such hardship she had to endure. She was an amazing talent. Those paintings are so beautiful. Self-taught talent too.
I hope that she had some real measure of happiness in painting. We find comfort learning about people who have that inner strength and a vision that will not be smothered. They live in their terms in their meager circumstances. They mattered.
Thank you, Sonia! I agree with everything you wrote. We indeed find comfort and solace in learning about people like her because it gives us hope to never give up, no matter what life throws our way.
I've never experienced art deeply touching me and drawing me in. It's just not how I'm wired. That changed today. There's so much joy in her work. I've set Wildflowers as my phone lockscreen. It's so incredibly beautiful. I'm so glad you took the time to introduce us to her.
Thank you for sharing, Rachel! I was deeply moved and inspired by Kateryna Bilokur’s life and art as well. She was insanely talented and strong, and I hope more people will learn about her.
An amazing life story, Darya, that you present beautifully. It reminds me of the fact that so many people before us have fought - through cold, hunger, and the disapprobation of others - for the freedom of self-expression and the most dishonorable thing we can do today is to yield that freedom to the fascist forces that exist in our lifetime.
Regarding reader engagement, I was actually able to read the whole post in email form, in my inbox, before I came here, to post a comment, so you might have reached a wider audience than you realize. Thank you for your content - it’s exceptional!
Thank you, Sky! I agree. We take so many things for granted, and stories like this remind us how hard those privileges we have today were fought for. I'm so glad you liked the article! It was very hard to fit a person like Kateryna Bilokur in a text, and there are so many stories that I didn't include about her. First, when I saw her art, I was inspired by her beauty, but when I read her story, I was astonished and deeply moved.
Yes, the book has a translation of some of Kateryna Bilokur’s letters, in which she shared stories from her life. She wrote a lot, and there are books with her letters published in Ukrainian that I hope to be able to acquire someday.
Wonderful! Thank you for helping us dive deeper into each of the topics that you present. You open a wondrous window into what is, for many of us, a new culture.
I'm impressed. Kateryna Bilokur was a gifted artist ahead of her time. Her work is exceptional. I'm teaching informal art classes to a group of refugee children in my city, and I think I'll include this artist in an upcoming class as a model for painting. Who knows if one of these children will become a great Ukrainian artist in the future? ;) I hope so, and Kateryna reigns supreme in Europe in the 21st century.
PS: I ordered the book; I hope it arrives soon. I also ordered a set of commemorative stamps I found in an online store. Thanks for the recommendation!
It’s amazing that you are planning to teach about Kateryna Bilokur in your classes! She is so undeservedly overlooked, and I hope more people will learn about her.
I just ordered two books! I'm on the Altar Guild at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Belvedere, California. I ordered one for myself and one for our Chair. We do the flowers! Many thanks for this wonderful post. We support and pray for Ukraine.
What a life! Love the way you've written this, Darya! Impeccable work.
Her paintings were wonderful. She transports us to beautiful spring. One can only wonder how beautiful her charcoals and lost paintings might have been. They might have been lost, but she won't be forgotten
This story is so incredible it’s almost hard to believe… how can such a spirit and intellect exist that is completely her own… no family or community or culture to help it thrive? I am in awe. Thank you for choosing to write about her and share her amazing life story with the world. I am sharing and subscribing.
Thank you for a wonderful story on the endurance of a human spirit, and the beautiful artwork.
I'm glad you loved it! Kateryna Bilokur was an exceptional artist and woman, and I hope more people will learn about her work!
Ditto
Every painting is almost more beautiful and vibrant than the last. That she made her own paints just amazes me.
What a hard, horrible life she had. I'm glad she found some solace in painting and in the beauty of nature. Something, at least.n
I agree! I’m deeply inspired and humbled by her and her work. She deserves much more recognition and attention.
Darya, you always present us with such good stories about Ukrainians. Kateryna Bilokur was a fascinating person. Such hardship she had to endure. She was an amazing talent. Those paintings are so beautiful. Self-taught talent too.
I hope that she had some real measure of happiness in painting. We find comfort learning about people who have that inner strength and a vision that will not be smothered. They live in their terms in their meager circumstances. They mattered.
Thank you, Sonia! I agree with everything you wrote. We indeed find comfort and solace in learning about people like her because it gives us hope to never give up, no matter what life throws our way.
I've never experienced art deeply touching me and drawing me in. It's just not how I'm wired. That changed today. There's so much joy in her work. I've set Wildflowers as my phone lockscreen. It's so incredibly beautiful. I'm so glad you took the time to introduce us to her.
Thank you for sharing, Rachel! I was deeply moved and inspired by Kateryna Bilokur’s life and art as well. She was insanely talented and strong, and I hope more people will learn about her.
Amazing story, beautifully written. Gorgeous art. Thank you for sharing the story of Kateryna Bilokur, Darya.
Thank you!
An amazing life story, Darya, that you present beautifully. It reminds me of the fact that so many people before us have fought - through cold, hunger, and the disapprobation of others - for the freedom of self-expression and the most dishonorable thing we can do today is to yield that freedom to the fascist forces that exist in our lifetime.
Regarding reader engagement, I was actually able to read the whole post in email form, in my inbox, before I came here, to post a comment, so you might have reached a wider audience than you realize. Thank you for your content - it’s exceptional!
Thank you, Sky! I agree. We take so many things for granted, and stories like this remind us how hard those privileges we have today were fought for. I'm so glad you liked the article! It was very hard to fit a person like Kateryna Bilokur in a text, and there are so many stories that I didn't include about her. First, when I saw her art, I was inspired by her beauty, but when I read her story, I was astonished and deeply moved.
Were some of those other stories about her life included in the book that you recommended?
Yes, the book has a translation of some of Kateryna Bilokur’s letters, in which she shared stories from her life. She wrote a lot, and there are books with her letters published in Ukrainian that I hope to be able to acquire someday.
Wonderful! Thank you for helping us dive deeper into each of the topics that you present. You open a wondrous window into what is, for many of us, a new culture.
Thank you! It's the best compliment to hear.
I'm impressed. Kateryna Bilokur was a gifted artist ahead of her time. Her work is exceptional. I'm teaching informal art classes to a group of refugee children in my city, and I think I'll include this artist in an upcoming class as a model for painting. Who knows if one of these children will become a great Ukrainian artist in the future? ;) I hope so, and Kateryna reigns supreme in Europe in the 21st century.
PS: I ordered the book; I hope it arrives soon. I also ordered a set of commemorative stamps I found in an online store. Thanks for the recommendation!
It’s amazing that you are planning to teach about Kateryna Bilokur in your classes! She is so undeservedly overlooked, and I hope more people will learn about her.
I just ordered two books! I'm on the Altar Guild at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Belvedere, California. I ordered one for myself and one for our Chair. We do the flowers! Many thanks for this wonderful post. We support and pray for Ukraine.
Thank you for your support, Linda!
Sentimental old guys sometimes shed tears.
What beautiful artwork
Love this, thank you for this discovery. Have just ordered 3 ex. of the album, for my friends too. Jarek
Thank you!
thank you
Thank you for sharing this poignant and inspiring story of Kateryna Bilokur and her beautiful artwork.
Thank you for reading!
What a life! Love the way you've written this, Darya! Impeccable work.
Her paintings were wonderful. She transports us to beautiful spring. One can only wonder how beautiful her charcoals and lost paintings might have been. They might have been lost, but she won't be forgotten
Thank you, Francisca! I agree! ❤️
Remarkable
This story is so incredible it’s almost hard to believe… how can such a spirit and intellect exist that is completely her own… no family or community or culture to help it thrive? I am in awe. Thank you for choosing to write about her and share her amazing life story with the world. I am sharing and subscribing.
Thank you! I completely agree. Kateryna Bilokur’s story is astounding and deeply moving. I hope more people will learn about her work.