Новий український (The New Ukrainian). My first new work of 2023. I started, and later abandoned, this illustration when the Russian war on Ukraine began. Displaced Ukrainians struggle to survive. The trauma of war re-emerges in a new and disastrous form. These horrors terrorise those who’ve survived WWII again, which also now stain the hearts of younger generations. As difficult as it was to illustrate this subject matter, I’m glad I finished it. I’m the first born American in my family, and my grandparents are from both sides of these fighting counties, Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. Each have fled to the US and Canada post war for a better life. Still, I’m removed from my grandparents’ experiences, and I’ve felt disconnected from what is happening in Eastern Europe. Perhaps this illustration is an attempt to reconnect with my heritage. . . . . . #portraitillustration #illustration #art #artistsoninstagram #illustratorsoninstagram #illustrator #digitalillustration #editorialillustration #magazineillustration #newspaperillustration #ukraine #russia #ukrainerussianwar #heritage https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm7VK9DurlA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=












