I have been enraged by the invasion of Ukraine. Painting was an outlet to express this. It was a flurry of painting much different than I usually paint when I'm trying something of value and meaning. It had some dust in the primer, but this time it didn't matter. It just mattered that the paint flowed. Precision barely mattered, just the act of doing art for a cause was important. Perfection was not the goal; solidarity was.

The figure is now up for auction if you want to buy the figure for a good cause, please head to my painting Facebook page, or this link where it is posted. Proceeds go to Polish humanitarian sites. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2061137844200629/permalink/3019536441694093/

I had intended to paint this figure by Nordlys Miniatures with the more simple goal of "a man telling ghost stories at a campfire". But then the invasion began, and the character's story changed.

The color scene became one mimicking the Ukrainian flag, both to tell the story and honor their determination. The man now stands in front of a fire, ignited in his homeland as he stands in the aftermath of destruction. He has taken up arms, despite never training as a soldier before. He watches the night skyline as it briefly glows while bombs drop, but the illumination has a glint of hope as he sees the Ghost of Kyiv fly to avenge his country. He will someday tell his ghost story around a campfire in the future, of what he has seen, never to let it be forgotten.

  • Frédéric BISSEUX (MINOS)

    Bonne initiative !

  • Melnikov Ivan "Nakatan"

    Great idea, gold

  • Flo « FFF » Rochet

    Gold, love the idea and it’s well executed!

  • Jakob VPLUS

    Love it!

    • Rhiana, "Cyradis"

      I'm so glad you approve of my depiction! You did so many inspiring versions too!

  • Guillaume "Skas" Masselot

    Love the story, love the style ! Gold !

  • Rhiana, "Cyradis"

    The figure is now up for auction with proceeds going to charity. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2061137844200629/permalink/3019536441694093/

  • MarcPLUS

    Haaa, that's a really nice job!

  • Bran

    Great initiative Riana, well done !!

    • Rhiana, "Cyradis"

      Thanks! I am hoping the piece ends up in a good home, with money raised for a good cause. Next charity project will be a more uplifting piece. This one is good, but a bit heartbreaking to paint!

  • Marius "Der Stone "Stein

    These eyes. Very expressive.

  • Peter"Peterpaint"Trenner

    I could go there, and your works also all no better to vote as with bronze. But that's too stupid for me, I don't feel like it. I would be happy if you would no longer vote for my work. Look at them best not at all, they are not good enough for your demands anyway.

    • Rhiana, "Cyradis"

      I have never once said anything mean to you, but you've come here to bother me. I am getting weary of this attitude. I have voted as per the rules of this site. Vote as you see fit on my work. It is posted on a public gallery. You are not obligated to like everything I paint. If you are uncomfortable with how strangers react to your work, then perhaps a public gallery isn't an ideal place to showcase them. If you like something, give it a bronze. If you think it is great, give it a silver. Don't give a gold unless it is something really well executed and special. If you don't like it, don't vote. That's how this site states to allocate votes.

  • Peter"Peterpaint"Trenner

    I didn't say anything mean, nor am I here to annoy them. I just want you to stop voting for my work in the future.

  • Vladimir_Golubev

    Gold!

  • vincenzo gambinoPLUS

    gold

  • Sergey Popovichenko

    Interesting job!