olechko

Old market by the Lubart castle in Lutsk, ink pen and copic marker, 07.08

Catching myself here doing very much similar stuff to what we normally do in Ukraine: sightseeing and food shopping at the markets, except this is no Bodiam castle, and not the Borough market, but Lubart castle in Lutsk and a spawl of village goods market right outside it. The castle hosted another of the nice festivals complete knight jostling and damsels just last weekend, where my also papa participated (as a bee keeper).

Check out Postcard from provence daily paintings.

Local market butcher, oil on canvas, 20×25,5 cm, 2008

Markets are the best places for taking in the vibe of a city, and learning the place though observing of how people shop. In fact, market produce and local meats are some of the best things you can experience while in Ukraine. The products are bound to be free of chemicals (it’s too expensive for individual producers to use any) and quite fresh as there aren’t any freezing facilities.

Once the pig is slaughtered, everything goes: head and hoofs for jellied dishes, intestines and blood for blood sausage, tail is a separate treat in itself, not even talking about liver pancakes and tongue soup.

One piece of art from Goldsmith’s BFA that’s interesting: Tali Febland. Besides, somebody from fresh art grands actually doing painting (although in the trendy  badly-cropped-snaps way)!  If only everybody (including me) could paint with the detail and depth of Hammershoi.

The number of plush owl portraits hit critical mass and I opened with them an Etsy shop.

Don’t remember mentioning it before here, but I have been a big fan of Amy Azelda Cooper’s ceramics for some time now.

I did not get a chance to go see the Central Saint Marktin’s end of the year show, but found these product design photos. Love the Perfect Smile product.

LIstening to some electronic music at Southbank center, ink and Copic marker in notebook.

While struggling to find a decent band to listen to Saturday night in London we realized that everybody has gone up to Glastonbury. Same way in Ukraine these days everyone is off to a music festival of some sort. Was thinking of good Ukrainian bands that come to mind, and realize that most of them play this folksy melodic music and congregate around these festivals:

Slavske, Pidkamin‘,Fortecya, Sheshory, Krayina Mriy (in Kyiv that just happened last weekend.)

There is plenty of techno with it’s Kazantip in Crimea, but most popular are the folk music gigs. What draws hip Ukrainians to them so much? The good choice in the genre, the desire to develop something local and rooted deep down in history, to set themselves apart from the rest of the world?

Besides thinking of the festivals, Went to see a nice show by Ralph Fleck at Prudy Hicks yesterday.

On Flickr found a very cool illustrator from Moscow.

My current Moleskine has soaked in Serpentine lake today. The memory of it rendered though my copious prior photographs of doubtful quality will keep its memory forever though. Time for a fresh start and a new notebook. The reason we hanged around the area is becuase of the RCA Show.  There was so much interesting stuff (ilustartions, videos, bookd, furniture, etc.)  it kept us busy till closing time. Particularly liked Emily May’s illustrations and some very cool futuristic car models (Roma’s choice).

One day one pose, 24.06.08

Today I happily spent a day at the PrInce’s Drawing School drawing. The facility is great, the instructor John Lessor is fantastic, can’t wait for the fall term to start.

Here’s Robert McKellar’s art on the subject (thanks, Gaping Mind).

Kvas , 20×20 cm, oil on canvas, 2008

Summer days finally began and the local cider can not quench my thirst as the Kvas could, if only we had some in London. The best one comes from these tanks propped on every corner of Ukrainian towns, and dot the Crimean beaches. The stuff comes in plastic cups whereas before you were served in glasses or beer mugs.  I think you can stilll find those at Puzata Khata cafeteria (kvas including).

Please send your bid by email if you want to purchase this painting.

The Auntie Owl,  25,5×25,5 cm, oil on canvas, 2008

Another very loved stuffed owl in the house, a worthy contribution to the “Owls and other softies” collection.  Besides baby man’s obsession with the birds, amazing stuffed specimens of owls have been popping out from everywhere. People either point them out to us, or give as gifts. Next owl inspired painting will probably come from a visit to the Owl and The Pussycat pub, that we have been highly recommended to go to.

Please send your bid by email if you want to purchase this painting.

David getting a major hair cut, Roma is awe, 22.06.08

Been to the BP Portrait Award show at the National Portrait Gallery today. The quality of work on show is sticking. Making a Mark particularly well described my favoarite item in the show - Gareth Reid’s illustarted trip to small Finnish willage. Also explored today Somerset House courtyard turned into a the largest living room for the weekend as part of London architecture festival.

Yesterday I got a chance to check ut the Free Range graduate show at the Old Truman Brewery, especially the City of Wesmister college photography show at 93 Feet East.

Last night our roommate Nabil performed with his friends fabulously at Betsey Trotwood

in Clerkenwell.  Listening to their one night band was a great pleasure.

Love the customized murals by the Two Little Hands I discovered though Ohdeedoh.

Ralph Fleck exhibiting now at  Purdy Hicks interesting paintings of orderly aranged people, books, trees - looking forward to seeing the show.