As a Ukrainian Canadian artist, I work on pieces that honour the fundamental traditions of realism with its ability to add emotional depth to my paintings, but also incorporate the esthetics of folk art known as “Ukrainian Baroque”, with its maximalist use of visual space and rich decorative details. Whether my subjects are caught in motion or captured at a moment of quiet contemplation and profound stillness, they invite the viewer to slow down and immerse in timeless beauty of vivid complementary colours, meticulously crafted backgrounds and opulent costumes – all that to create an enchanting visual space and to tell their stories. Aiming to fill the canvas with their intense presence, I weave a narrative connecting the viewer with their inner lives at moments when they are closest to nature. A tangible fairy tale vibe comes from building on the historical tradition of portrait painting by old masters, and my overarching fascination with the past and local lore.
