Hope

This painting, my portrayal of hope, was inspired by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine three weeks ago. Then, I was struck by the horrific conditions facing the Ukrainian people whose homeland was and still is being brutally invaded. Frustrated by my inability to ease their situation or to provide comfort, I attempted to create this bouquet as a symbol of hope for the future. The world hadn’t yet fallen in love with President Zelenskyy, but here, in the United States, we were enjoying about eight minutes when everyone was on the same page and no one was hating or blaming anyone. The disinformation campaigns hadn’t yet begun, so there was a wonderful reminiscent feeling of unity within our country. This momentary glimpse of our solidarity in support of democracy gave me hope.
I want to remain hopeful that an end to this horrid, unprovoked war will be found soon. Until then, please join me in honoring and supporting the people of Ukraine and their extended families. The following is from Timothy Snyder’s newsletter.
“When I hear the predictions of defeat, I call up my friend in Kyiv, I just say ‘Sasha,’ and she turns on the video, shows me her little boy, everyone is smiling. They know the predictions too, and it would be indecent of me to question their decision. They are the fortress, the stronghold, their mood is cheerful, they concentrate on what they are doing, they are working at peace and they comfort us when our strength and hope breaks.”
Sitting in the dark in the theater my throat caught at those words. I heard a few quick sobs rise up all around me in the dark, right on that sentence, on the words “they comfort us”; and I knew that the people stifling them were the ones who call their friends in Kyiv, in Kharkiv, in Mykolaiv, in the other bombed Ukrainian cities, and who knew that it was true.
They are consoling us. Because Ukrainians are resisting, not just on the battlefield but as a society, they console us all. Every day they act is one when we can reflect and hope. People do have values. The world is not empty. People do find courage. There are things worth taking risks for.”

My wish is that we all will be able to hold on to the hope and the flowers and the light. Slava Ukraini!