Recently, artist Janice Feist created a powerful painting depicting the vicious attack on Ukraine and auctioned it to raise money to support the Ukrainian people.
Inspired by her, another artists’ painting titled People of the Sunflower (acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 inches, unframed) by Wendie Donabie, depicts fields of sunflowers in the Ukraine stretching to a horizon darkened by the invasion of Russian troops. The colours used also represent the national flag, the wide blue skies of the nation and the golden fields of wheat. However, for the painting, the yellow also symbolizes the sunflower (their National flower) and the brave people themselves holding firm to protect their homeland. At the tree-line, around the midpoint of the painting, a thin red area stands for the Russian invaders attempting to crush the Ukrainian resistance. To go with the painting, Donabie wrote the poem included below.
In this time of darkness and loss for the people of Ukraine, Donabie says she wanted to create an image of light and hope. She is offering this painting to the highest bid with the funds raised going to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. Bidding will close on Tuesday, March 15 at 12:00 noon EDT. Bids can be made by an email message to info@wendiedonabie.com and the winning bidder will be contacted upon closing to arrange payment.
Updates on highest current bid will be posted on the artist’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WendieDonabieArtistWriter
People of the Sunflower (Populus Helianthus) by Wendie Donabie 2022 (for the people of Ukraine – March 2022)
Brave faces turn to the sun
stand strong, unmoved
against attack
Seeds of loyalty and pride
planted in their hearts
draw them together
Roots hold firm
in rich, fertile soil
defying all adversaries
This is the soul of Ukraine
This is the power of its people
This is their fight for freedom
Now!
