When the hobby of exploring art and drawing, or painting, different landscapes, subjects and objects, it was because of the lockdowns that were imposed owing to the coronavirus pandemic. More of the story behind the hobby can be found here. However, lockdowns were in reaction to a crisis and what would later be described as the greatest crisis that has faced the global in peacetime history – since the end of World War Two. The remainder of
Throughout the pandemic, many people made time to go outdoors and embrace nature and the natural world. This was mainly for well-being purposes and to aid in having good mental health given the extraordinary circumstances of being required to remain at home for the majority of the day. Some of the habits made throughout the lockdowns, including new hobbies and getting outdoors more, enjoying local surroundings and nature, has continued beyond the lockdowns.
Social media provides a platform for many people to showcase their lives and opinions in a way that has never been more connected. Scrolling through social media platforms, it can often be seen that people’s newfound hobbies and habits, found during the coronavirus pandemic, are the occupation of people’s weekends and spare time. It was seeing a post on social media from someone on social media who had been out for a walk in their local area over the weekend. At the time of writing this, and at the time of completing the creation, it is April 2022. April is a time associated with springtime and the season of spring, leaving behind the coldness of winter and moving to the brighter and warmer summer season. This exact concept was captured by the image on social media. An English agricultural field, with bright blue skies, and a field of blooming rapeseed flowers, a plant cultivated for rapeseed oil that is often used in cooking.
This creation used a slightly different method and technique than the normal large strokes and blends that have been used across the majority of the creations completed so far. Given the individual flowers on the rapeseed crop, and the tall stalks of the plant, which are phased out of view the further the eye moves towards the horizon, this creation wasn’t going to be a case of large paint strokes and blending – but more one of dabbing and blotting. The technique produced the finish that was wanted for the creation – so that will go down as a win!
Now, as mentioned the first main reason for this creation was that it highlighted a hobby and past-time that had been found during the lockdowns but continued on, even now the public health restrictions have been removed. Once the creation had been completed, and on a second look, the creation also symbolised something else…
As mentioned earlier in this post, this creation was completed in April 2022. Quite a significant time for the continent of Europe, but more so, a devasting time for Ukraine.
The break-up of the Former Yugoslavia Republic created conflict across the eastern bloc in the 1980s and 1990s. Once this conflict had been resolved and peace had been brokered, it was thought that that would be the last armed conflict on the continent of Europe that anyone would ever bear witness to. However, sadly, 2022 has seen that this was not to be.
On 25th February 2022, the state of Russia, under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, invaded the state of Ukraine. As with any conflict, there has been destruction and mortality. There has also been aid and solidarity. As you can imagine, more information about the conflict is available online. One thing that really is worth noting, is the leadership, courage and determination that has been shown by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy has gone from governing a peaceful country and progressing its elected agenda and legislative programme to becoming a leader defending the country from an invasion from a neighbouring country and addressing his nation with messages of hope and courage whilst dressed in clothing associated with combat.
Another point that is worth noting, as part of the campaign for support for Ukraine, Zelenskyy has been undertaking diplomacy engagements across the globe, with many global firsts being witnessed, such as addressing the United Nations, the European Parliament, the US Congress, and the UK Parliament, all via a virtual connection from his base in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine and a place the President has remained throughout the conflict despite having several offers of evacuation from the international community.
As someone who is based in the UK, it is also worth adding that the occurrence of an official from a different country, such as President Zelenskyy, making an address to the UK Parliament normally takes place in the room, within the Houses of Parliament – the UK Parliamentary buildings, known as Westminster Hall. However, given the significance of the address and the impact of the invasion, the Speaker of the House of Commons, granted permission for President Zelenskyy to address UK members of parliament, via a live stream, in the House of Commons Chamber. The address was greeted with a standing ovation and applause from UK members of parliaments, acknowledging the bravery, determination and courage of President Zelenskyy.
So, how does the conflict relate to the creation? It’s an English agricultural field growing rapeseed crop after all, right? The answer is yes, it is a field of a flowering crop. However, rapeseed crop flowers in yellow, and given the springtime weather, it meant that the reference image and subsequent creation had a yellow foreground and midground, showing the crop, with a blue sky. It also happens to be the same colours and layout as the national flag of Ukraine – which is blue in the top half and yellow in the lower half. The national flag of Ukraine has, since the invasion and subsequent war has begun, become a symbol of solidarity and hope that the conflict will soon be over and Ukraine be a safe place, free from conflict, once more.
The world stands with Ukraine – slava ukraini!
This blog post is available in audio as a podcast and can be found here: A Path of Hope and Peace Audio
Artwork in Progress 