Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been so strong, so brave, and such an inspiration for his people during this time of immense suffering and horror. I knew the minute Russia and Putin invaded and put their revolting plan into action I had to paint him for myself more than anything. I painted him in action with the wings of the stork, the official bird of Ukraine and with the country’s symbolic sunflowers in full bloom in front of him. The background colors are an interpretation of Ukraine’s flag.
Sales of the limited matted print were divided between Bethenny Frankel’s bstrong organization and CORE raising funds for humanitarian aid in Ukraine and Poland, and World Central Kitchen feeding people in Lviv, Ukraine. I also booked an AirBnB from someone in Kyiv so they could get the money right away. That process was a little more complicated, but it felt good hearing from the person I was potentially helping.
After the initial success of that first print I made another original with a more regal look and a print from that piece is also available.
I then moved on to painting the Kyiv Independence monument on earrings to raise more funds.
Next up was an interpretation on Ukraine’s flag in Sterling Silver with semi precious gemstones in two different styles.
And finally I returned to the revered Zelenskyy and put him on some painted earrings. I just feel so lucky that I have an ability to create things that people want. It enabled me to raise money for these causes when I normally wouldn’t be able to afford to help. And that made me feel a little less hopeless over the whole tragedy.
Thanks for looking!
zacharypryor 