Ukrainian Art Museum

Finally I got some confidence to find the art museum. It was worth it. Amazing works of art, from religious icons to contemporary artists. Small museum, but packed with diverse masterpieces. No photographs in museum, but did take many notes and artists names to research later. Ukrainian life in the early 1900's, winter scenes, oil paintings, graphics, & prints, were mainly exhibited.

Art-Music-Dance

Opera "Traviatta" was cancelled. So we walked with friends, Irina & Igor through a wonderful section of Kyiv, parks, architecture, fountains, views of left bank, lots of picture taking, history, rainbows, rain, subway, water museum, puppet theater, graffitti, monuments, stadium, listened to street musicians, watched some kids dancing in an open theater, a little bit of everything.

This picture with ribbons and locks is from a walkway called "The Kissing Bridge". It's where couples come to lock their love with promises together with padlocks, there must be thousands locked to both sides of railings over a main road into the upper city.

Ukraine Contrasts

The bed sheets are too small.......but a woman comes in to change bed every 4 days. Can not find a hamburger anywhere....but
There is a washing machine in our apartment....but you have to open it with a spoon. Can find prepared frozen shrimp in market ...but you can find the ones that you have to cut off the head, devein and shell. Walking everywhere is faster than taking a taxi or bus or subway. Outrageous styles in clothes in city...but quality is really bad and expensive. Buildings are beautiful on the outside and not finished in the inside. Bathroom has just a bathtub...toilet in another separate room. I think I am rather spoiled.
to be continued...

Some whimsical drawings of buildings inspired by the churches in Kyiv.

"White Walls of Kyiv"
7 x7 watercolor by L. Bromley

I still think I will put a few more details on this one, after looking at it now online. Went to the "market" today, small booths of the most outrageous clothes, leather, fur coats, book, cds, videos, pastries, kind of like outdoor fair where locals do there shopping, the malls are so expensive and not the best quality. You don't really buy clothes in Ukraine anyway. But the women really dress up, heels, skirts, dresses, they dress rather sexy. Raining now, but just passing showers. Bought the best nectarines I ever had. Been doing some sketches of many buildings, in B&W marker. One gallery the other day showed me work from different artists and some were just drawings, I would like to gather a series of drawings of Ukraine buildings for myself. to be continued

Kyiv Post-English newspaper..www.kyivpost.com


Walked and walked today to parts unknown, found a mall and bought a shirt and realized after I bought it that it was the wrong size. Well, I needed an interpreter to help me, it took in hour to exchange it, yes also needed my passport, 2 signatures, paperwork, unbelievable! Will never do that again, remnants of soviet rules.

The skies are very dramatic here, don't know if it is the time of year or what, but it is so picturesque, fluffy, big thunder clouds, all the time.

Lunch at Olivas, Italian restaurant we found and have been there alot lately. Atmosphere of an Italian kitchen with pots hanging and shelves of stacked wood and flowers, bottles etc..., one very important thing, they speak English, very reasonable prices and great food. Tonight, grilled cheese at home. I could use a beer, one of about a thousand choices, it is not considered alcohol here. There are "kids" walking around with big bottles of beer I see in hand all day. Young teenagers! Big alcoholic population here, with 40 kinds of vodkas made here in the Ukraine and the age at which they start drinking, it is a big problem, average life of a man is 62. Lots of pubs, lots of drinking. mmmm

Getting alot more comfortable getting around city, I think I will try to find the museums next week. There is alot of art here. Quite exciting!

"In the Moment"
Drawing of Main Street in Ukraine from Cafe House
black marker on napkin

Thoughts.......great meals with new friends...blogging, painting, drawing, discovering, sympathy, empathy, creating, loving, writing, journaling, photographing, discussing, traveling, wishing & learning.

Kyiv Walking Tour

Bubushka Flowers (detail), watercolor by Lorraine Bromley 2009

Finicular (Tram) up the hill, parks, mansions, monuments, monasteries, cathedrals, palaces, dramatic skies, artists, musicians, folk crafts, babushkas, lots of beers, cafes, embroidered shirts, scarfs, potatoes, crepes, flower shops, river, spectacular views of Kyiv and the most wonderful guide, Vlad.

I am having the most difficult time deciding what to paint!
(I know poor me.)

Thinking of you Aja, hoping you are feeling better today after your surgery.)