ARTISTIC Ukrainian newcomers enjoy the comfort and beauty of painting on the shores of Lake Ontario. From left are Roman Zuzuk, Maria Antoniv, Halyna Kostiuk and Mustafa Cetin (sitting).
Special By HALYNA KOSTIUK
On a sunny hot July 16, a group of Ukrainian artists who are newcomers to Canada, gathered in Colonel Samuel Smith Park for a plain air, or lively outdoor art session.
Led by a well -known artist, Maria Antoniv, they choose the picturesque spots between the marina and Lake Ontario to paint landscapes.
They were surrounded by lush flowers, bushes, and grass, as they set up their easels determined to capture this gorgeous day in colours and shapes.
Roman Zuzuk, Mustafa Cetin, and artist-student Tetiana Lototska each have their own style and share a love for nature. The artists were joined by the amateurs who love the outdoors and enjoy painting. These art lovers are newcomers from Ukraine who escaped their country now ravaged by Russia in an all-out war to find a safe and welcoming reception in Canada.
THE CREATIVE group enjoy the safety and splendour of painting Lake Ontario. From left are Tetiana Lototska, Roman Zuzuk and Maria Antoniv. Photo by Halyna Kostiuk.
They are thankful to Canada and the kind people of South Etobicoke.
It is amazing how much the artists were able to glean from the popular landscapes and well-travelled pathways.
Antoniv is famous for her floral arrangements and can put a new perspective on familiar things. Zuzuk prefers figurative compositions; his plain air paintings are bright and relaxed.
The artists lost themselves in the beauty of summer day and produced the exciting paintings of the lakefront. Their sense of colour reveals to the audience the new dimensions of the intimately known environment.
People stopped by and were captivated and fascinated by the scenery as it appeared on the canvases. The great power of art erases boundaries and brings people together.