Somewhere in Eppendorf

I speak about my art honestly and, I believe, intimately. For me, the process of creating a painting is an act of deep sensitivity and presence. I’m an empathetic person, and that’s why painting feels deeply personal — it touches parts of me that are usually left unspoken. Intimacy, for me, isn’t just about the body or sexuality. It’s about being fully present. It’s about silence, connection, and allowing myself to feel. It’s about what we don’t usually say over morning coffee.

This time, I was inspired by Hamburg — by its greenery, calmness, old architecture, and the way it breathes with nature. This city breathes like a real breath. And it reminded me of my garden back in Ukraine. It was right in the center of the city — not perfect, not “picturesque” in a traditional sense — but it was full of energy. That’s where I used to paint outdoors, walk barefoot, pick cherries, listen to the birds. It was my rhythm. My meditation.

This painting became very special to me because I returned to tempera. It’s a technique that demands total presence — every brushstroke, every centimeter of the surface becomes a moment to live fully. I painted slowly, carefully, as if trying not to disturb the moment. That’s why this work holds so much meaning for me.

I truly believe that every ritual we perform is a way of connecting to the world. We wake up, we try to feel ourselves, we try to stay in touch with others. And in these small everyday actions, there is already life — and already art.

I want that life to be vibrant.
As vibrant as this painting.