olechko

Bandura player, summer festival, Ukraine, oil on canvas, 8×8 inch, 2008

Please email me your bid (starting at $75) if you’d like to own this piece.

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.) more info in Ukrainian here.

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.

19.08.08 thought of more folk festivals to add to the list: Potyag do Yaremche, Unizh, Trypilske Kolo, Zashkiv, besides lots of Ukrainian bands participate in Polish festivals like II Praski Piknik Rowerowy and Woodstock.

My current Moleskine has soaked in Serpentine lake today.  My 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 at a life drawing class. 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. Please send your bid by email if you want to purchase this painting.

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 still find those at Puzata Khata cafeteria (kvas including).

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.

Boa the owl, oil on canvas, 8×8 inches, 2008.

Met up with my friend today for a chat and remembered about the delights of Anthropologie from the USA. Their (home) catalogs are such eye candy, I kept some since 2005.

Came across really fantastic ceramics via popputalk.

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

Girl sipping tea,18.06.08 watercolor pencils on 140 lb. paper

Girl dancing, watercolor pencils in Moleskine