An Artistic Plein Air In The Frontline Zone Or How We Painted In A Place Of Power And What Came Of It.

A short story about the activities of Ukrainian artists in difficult times.

You’ve probably read my previous posts about art in my country during the war, what my colleagues and I are painting and how we are trying to continue our practices. Today I would like to present to you the process of creating a painting that will soon be exhibited in the city’s museum.

So let’s get down to business. The “golden autumn”, the best season for an artist, has begun.

As before, my fellow artists and I go out of town to paint in nature. This is what makes it possible to feel the power of the wind, the sun, everything wild around us and forget about the war at least for a moment.

This time we came to a place we already knew and went to look around to choose a landscape to capture the composition and feel the mood. It took us a long time to choose. Finally, we found an interesting pear tree that was illuminated by light and looked like a portal to another world. There was a bird’s nest hidden in the branches of the tree, and it seems to me that it also kept other secrets that we needed to unravel.

We gathered our art supplies and went in different directions to draw. We were in a very remote place where a deep quarry bordered the wide Dnipro River. But over time, we noticed that in addition to us and the fishermen, this place was also interesting to other people who came on their own business and often passed by.

From time to time, one of the unexpected spectators would stop and talk to us. Usually I like to socialize, but that time I wanted to pay more attention to my work. Unfortunately, it was not possible that day.

The audience’s questions were very different and not related to the process. They asked if I was psychic or something similar, interested in techniques, practices, anything that could explain why I painted in this style and manner. The audience in their guesses, versions and dialogues took me out of the state of creative concentration a little bit. I realized that today I would not be able to reach the final stage in my creative idea. And it made me sad.

My explanations that artists are all extraordinary people and one should not expect standard solutions or visions from them did not satisfy the audience. I was offered to hold a couple of training events in my style of painting, but the offer was not timely.

So right now I am working on the canvas at home and trying to complete the painting.

Please write in the comments what funny situations you have had while painting on the street or during art plein airs.

In conclusion, I would also like to note that a shepherd with his friends and a flock of goats also passed by that day. They also stayed with us. My colleague was worried that the goats would damage the paint and personal belongings. This art plein air seemed never ending. The place was busier than ever and there was no peace at all that day.

More info: saatchiart.com

An Artistic Plein Air In The Frontline Zone Or How We Painted In A Place Of Power And What Came Of It.