My journey with oil painting began in year 7, when I was studying at the State Secondary Art School in Kyiv, Ukraine — a highly selective school that required passing three entrance exams in painting, drawing, and composition. It was there that we transitioned from watercolours and gouache to the timeless medium of oils.
I’ve always loved this classical medium. Oils have a long and rich tradition in fine art, and I’ve admired their depth, luminosity, and the way colours blend so seamlessly on the canvas. Working with oils teaches patience and reflection — they dry slowly, giving time to build layers with care and intention.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have received proper academic training in the classical use of oils, alongside in-depth knowledge of anatomy, linear perspective, perception principles, and art history. That foundation continues to shape how I see and create today, allowing me to appreciate not only the technique but also the discipline and history behind every brushstroke.
Right to Be Free was an art exhibition by True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow, created to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day and presented as part of the Freedom. Courage. Culture. performance at Sydney Town Hall in August 2024. The exhibition focused on fundamental human rights and freedoms — values currently under severe threat in Ukraine due to the unlawful Russian invasion. The visual artworks deliberately reflected the joyful, life-affirming aspects of freedom, while accompanying posters addressed the specific rights being violated. This contrast invited viewers to reflect on what freedom means, and what is at stake when it is taken away. Presented in the heart of Sydney, the exhibition formed part of a broader cultural program celebrating Ukrainian identity, resilience, and independence.
18 September 2026
A Visual Conversation in Texture and Colour Paintings by Tetiana Koldunenko & sculptures by Deanne Palmer Gallery 11:11 presents two artists inspired by their local bushland, each translating nature through colour and texture in distinctly different materials—textured painting and encaustic sculpture. Through these contrasting approaches, familiar flora is no longer singular, but reimagined, open to multiple ways of seeing, sensing and connecting with the landscape. This dialogue becomes fully present through the physical encounter with Tetiana’s painted reliefs and Deanne’s sculptural forms. Together, the paintings and sculptures celebrate the richness of Australian flora through two distinct yet complementary artistic languages. Opening 5:30 – 7:30 pm Friday 18 September. Complimentary Ukrainian Cake Tasting Free admission. Gallery 11:11 227 Malton Road (cnr Malton and Norfolk road - Norfolk road entry) North Epping NSW 2121 Australia Open hours
