Ukrainian memories

Blue Adrenalin  Acrylic on canvas. 16×16 in Love at first sight with Carpathian lakes and rivers. Trips to the west of Ukraine, Lviv region and Ivano-Frankivsk region, surrounding lakes and mountains during my university years made me fall in love with folk art, western dialects and the dynamic, modern life with the strong authentic touch of traditions. I learnt to live my life in full colour and capacity, making it bright and memorable and to still be yourself with strong identity. The pattern in the left corner is common in the western part of Ukraine. £450 - all profits go to Ukraine

Mimosa Acrylic on canvas. 16×16 in SOLD Spring is in the air and mimosa is in my hand. A traditional gift on the 8th of March with its special aroma that never leaves my heart. Happy women with flowers and smiling men around, is the best memory of thecelebration day. The Easter folk pattern on the clay pot is typical to traditional Ukrainian Pottery, (Pottery Utensils of IvanLevynsky’s Factory).

Azov Sea Acrylic on canvas. 16×16 in SOLD My warm, beautiful, gentle and always welcoming friend. I grew up in a small town on the Azov sea. There are millions of memories… First memories are the early brunch picnics on a big blanket with my mum and sister, enjoying new potatoes, dill and butter in a glass jar and a fresh hot corn on a hob with salt. The last memory is from a trip 3 years ago when we had a sunset BBQ on the beach with lots of friends and especially mosquoitoes!The pattern at the bottom of the painting is traditional south-eastern pattern with flowers.  

Kyiv’s St Volodymyr’s Cathedral  Acrylic on canvas. 16×16 in SOLD  Neighbouring building to my work office in the centre of Kyiv. Like today…running to work from metro station ‘University’ and enjoying the beauty of this grand and stunning cathedral. During lunch time I could come and stand there, breathing in the burning incense leftovers in the air and having the oppurtunity to take a moment to gather my thoughts.   The pattern in the left top corner is Kievan Rus pattern from 13th century.

Grandma’s grapes Acrylic on canvas. 16×16 in SOLD My hometown of Berdyansk, the city I love with all my heart. My grandma’s garden with sweet ‘Izabella’ grapes hanging over and giving the shade in summer and wine in winter. First thing while visiting my grandma, I would have ‘Izabella’ grapes, but only inside! I would leave skin and seeds out, but ‘Berezka’ (Golden Chasselas), I loved it so much I couldn’t stop eating and would get sick at night after overeating it…The pattern on the left is traditional for Zaporizhzhia Region.

Palyanytsya  Acrylic on canvas. 16×16 in   Bread from my childhood, freshly baked, still warm to touch. I loved the sides, you tear the big piece with the crunchy crust and soft air inside and with a big glass of milk. After half an hour all the sides are gone and only the inside is left.The pronanciation of the word‘Palyanytsya’ (Ukrainian: паляниця, became a test of a true Ukrainian.The pattern on the table is a common Ukrainian pattern used in folk clothes. £450 -all profits go to Ukraine

Kyiv’s chestnut trees Acrylic on canvas. 16×16 in SOLD I thought that chestnut trees only grow in Kyiv. They feel so natural there that you would think that they were born there. How great to see lots of them in Cambridge, reminders of my Ukraine: the alley in the botanical garden next to ‘University’ subway stop, my favourite Kyiv’s cake with big chestnut leaves on the box and of course a subway token. Diamond shape pattern in the right corner is traditional for Kyiv Region. 

Ukrainian Cinderella Acrylic on canvas. 12×12 in I always remember myself working, during university times teaching at school in the afternoons, summer jobs at the spa resort, working till late in Kyiv but never forgetting to look beautiful. Gym and classes, swimming and jogging were my normal routine. Wearing high heels to work on the subway in Kyiv with lots of escalators was a challenge. Such a shame they were so pricy and took my whole months salary! The pattern above the shoe is common Ukrainian pattern used in folk clothes. £350 - all profits go to Ukraine