THE THINGS WE DO...: The paintings of Olya Velitchenko (02/14/99)

THE THINGS WE DO...

by Orysia Paszczak Tracz

The paintings of Olya Velitchenko

She uses only paints, gold, lacquer and wood - and with these simple raw materials creates intricate, glowing, exquisite things. Her work is difficult to classify because, while it is fine art, it is not done on the usual canvas. While she does also paint in oils and acrylics on regular canvas, she prefers wood in its many forms.

In addition to regular-sized paintings on wood, there are tiny and larger boxes with covers, decorative plates, plaques and other interesting shapes - all with the painting encircling the pieces, telling a story. For Christmas, she has created one-of-a-kind angel ornaments and mother-and-child portraits on wood, which collectors especially desire. There are also minute icons on wood meant to be worn around the neck on a velvet or silk cord. These are especially intriguing.

Olya Velitchenko is a new Winnipeger, having emigrated with her husband and two children from her native Kharkiv in April of 1996. Since childhood she had wanted to be an artist, but her parents discouraged this as a career, wanting her to have a more secure profession. She graduated from a polytechnic institute in Kharkiv, and worked in the engineering field for a few years. After her children were born, she returned to her first love, painting, and worked from home while caring for her son and daughter.

Her commissions in Ukraine included murals on two walls in the restaurant of the new opera house in Kharkiv. Her intricately painted boxes were the official gift to honored guests of the city. The Church of the Ascension in Kharkiv carried her icons in its gift shop. Before 1991 she often traveled from Kharkiv to Moscow, where she exhibited and had a clientele for her works.

Ms. Velitchenko developed her own technique of painting, studying books on Japanese and other miniature painting. The work is time-consuming and painstaking, but the result is a glowing, deep and practically three-dimensional image. She works with the finest sable brushes, which contain just a few hairs. There are many layers to the image, and much waiting for each layer of paint and lacquer to dry in between. But technique alone would not be enough: because of her innate talent, the resulting images are amazing. The grandmother, the mother and child, the loving couple - all are gently, beautifully portrayed. Her love of nature and beauty is reflected in the faces and scenes she depicts.

Ms. Velitchenko is drawn to the feel and shape of the wood, and her planning before painting includes both the form of the object and the theme.

Many of her works are based on Ukrainian folk motifs, such as scenes from a traditional Ukrainian Christmas or Easter, the feast of Ivan Kupalo, a wedding or harvest. Other themes are taken from folk and love songs, and include babies and children, and romantic couples.

For Christmas, and for collectors in general, she had a selection of angels in many guises, Nativity scenes and Madonna portraits, most often with a Ukrainian touch.

Soon after arriving in Winnipeg, the Kharkiv artist worked for four months on the restoration of an antique cabinet with Japanese miniature painting on the doors. Ms. Velitchenko decorates new furniture with miniature paintings or ornamented edging. She also creates jewelry: her mother-of-pearl brooches are subtly and delicately painted (under a magnifying glass) with landscapes and birds. Unique carved and painted necklaces are made in fine wood. Recently she completed a series of commissioned portraits of children.

While she is happy that her family has a chance for a new life in Canada, she misses Kharkiv and the Ukrainian countryside and way of life. The relations between people were different, she commented, and even though everyone is struggling economically, there was an emotional and personal contact that is not always present in the more business-driven society here. She said she is pleased her son and daughter will have a better chance for advancement here.

Ms. Velitchenko herself is diligently studying the English language, but finds time to paint whenever she can. For her, painting is as vital as breathing. Her future plans include an exhibit of paintings on " 'Zhinocha Dolia' - Life Goes On: Women's Cycles of Life," and book illustrating.

Ms. Velitchenko's works are available from the Oseredok Boutique at the Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center, 184 Alexander Ave. E. in Winnipeg (telephone, 204-942-0218); and by special order by writing to her at 5817 Rannock Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3R 2A5.

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