“I was working as a researcher at the institute of clinical immunology in Novosibirsk. I liked the job but wasn’t fully satisfied with it. When my mom suddenly passed away I realised that whenever you want to do something you shouldn’t wait. Because we never know untill when we have the time to do it. I decided to pursue this dream I had. Painting. After following a 10- day painting workshop in Sihanoukville I fell for Cambodia. One year later I booked a one way ticket and never came back.” 

“Just after obtaining my one year visa, the war started in Russia. I have been physically ill for about a week. All my bank cards were blocked, and still are. Imagine what you would feel like if your father suddenly starts killing people. What your father is doing is horrible, but you can not emotionally detach.”

Now my son is still living in Novosibirsk. We have seasons in which people are being stopped by the police in the street and taken away to go work in the military. Everyday I am afraid for my son. I told him to stay close to his appartement and to not take the metro. I proposed him to come here, but he doesn’t want to. What can I say. He is a grown up man.” 

“I can find a lot of trust in my art. Just after the war started I made this painting (1). It signifies what war did to me. I looked horrible in the painting. I hid it for several months. No one could see it. Last month I adjusted the painting. Painted a second layer. Now it signifies a woman that goes on with her life. On towards new adventures.” 

(1)

One week after I met Vera I received the following picture.