The exhibition True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow at Gosford Community Gallery was the first of many we held during the first three years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It marked a moment when art became a way to stand together, to act, and to help.
Seven Australian artists of Ukrainian descent, all living and working in Australia, came together to sell artworks and raise funds for Ukrainians in need. The theme — blue and yellow — was both simple and deeply felt: a tribute to the ocean, to emotion, and to shared experience.
We are endlessly grateful to everyone who visited, supported the exhibition, purchased artworks, or made a donation.
This exhibition ran from 27 June to 1 July 2022, and it set the tone for everything that followed.
Books have always felt magical to me. Unlike social media, they don’t disappear into a feed — they stay in your hands, on your shelf, and in your life. A book captures what’s important and preserves it for generations. And to make that experience meaningful, every detail matters. Over the years, I’ve worked on many publications — sometimes creating the layout, other times designing covers, illustrations, or managing the entire visual direction. One of my favourite projects was Taste of Ukraine, published by the Australian Publishing Company (sovabooks.com.au). I created the cover illustrations and the full layout — and the book went on to win the 2013 Gourmand World Cookbook Award. I’ve also worked with community organisations, including Ukrainians Down Under for AFUO, where I served as both editor and designer for their catalogue. Four Jubilee Book for Intersession of Holy Virgin Parish is one of the thickest and most comprehensive publication I’ve worked on to date. Each book is its own world — structured, tactile, permanent. And I love shaping those worlds so they’re clear, beautiful, and built to last.
Textile & Clothing Decoration — Wearable Statements. Working with textiles and clothing gives me a sense of freedom that few other mediums offer. It opens up the possibility to create one-of-a-kind pieces — garments that carry individuality, intention, and personality. Through colour, pattern, and detail, clothing becomes a way to shape an individual style, highlight accents, and, just as importantly, draw attention away from areas you’d rather keep understated. Individually decorated clothes are statements. They speak about who you are — your boldness or softness, your playfulness or restraint, and what truly matters to you. A painted jacket, dress, or pair of jeans can express confidence, curiosity, or a quiet sense of joy without saying a word. I create textile and clothing designs using high-quality acrylic paints that are washable, durable, and resistant to sunlight, allowing the artwork to be worn and enjoyed over time. Decoration can also be practical: a favourite jacket with an unremovable stain can be transformed into something even more loved. Bring me your old dress, jacket, or jeans, and we can make it new again. One of my clients spent his entire working life in neutral, formal suits. After retiring, he discovered the pleasure of colour — and his decorated jeans became a joyful declaration: I am ready for all the colours of the world. If you’re looking for a statement piece in your wardrobe — or a creative way to reimagine something you already own — I’d love to help you create it.
