Ukrainian artist Lina Buhai: I’m illustrating and writing a book of fairy tales based on real events, inspired by my experiences during migration

Lina Buhai is a Ukrainian artist who cannot imagine her life without art. While in migration, she began writing and illustrating a book of fairy tales based on real events. In addition to this, she paints floral artworks and creates original greeting cards. Lina shared with us her thoughts on her botanical art, love for nature, and unique gift cards.

Interviewer: When and how did you realize that you wanted to be an artist?

Lina: I enjoyed drawing from a very early age. Even back then, I knew I wanted to be an artist. I’m grateful to my parents for always praising and genuinely supporting me, which inspired me to draw more and more. At school, I was the best artist in my class. My classmates would hold my drawings up to the window to trace and copy them. One time, my drawing was damaged, and the art teacher didn’t believe I had drawn it myself. He gave me a lower grade than the classmate who had traced my work.

Interviewer: You pay special attention to nature. Can you tell us about your paintings and why you focus on the botanical world?

Lina: Nature is pure inspiration, from the freshly sprouted grass in spring to the wilting autumn leaf. I love painting plants, especially flowers. I enjoy capturing the shape of a flower, its colors. When I finish a piece, I often revisit it for several days just to admire it and reflect on how amazing our world is. I also find inspiration in my previous works when I start a new one.

Interviewer: Tell us about your technique and painting process.

Lina: Some paintings I see in my mind’s eye, particularly when it comes to creating fairy tale illustrations. For botanical art or realistic objects, I work from life or reference, adding my own elements. I start with a pencil sketch, then add tones with watercolor, and enhance the contrast and details with colored pencils. To finish, I add highlights using white. I work in a mixed media technique, using various materials.

Interviewer: You have a dream to illustrate a book. Can you tell us more about that?

Lina: Yes! I have a big dream to illustrate a book. I’m working on it now. I’m writing my own book and illustrating it as I go. My book is a collection of fairy tales about mice, based on real-life stories. The mouse characters are based on real-life prototypes, and I didn’t even change some of their names. One of the stories will also reflect the times we’re living through now. The book is meant to be interesting, educational, with a touch of Provence and vintage. Currently, my project is about 50% complete.

Interviewer: Your works are printed on clothing. Tell us about your first order. How did it all start?

Lina: Before printing on clothing, I had worked with sticker printing, notebook covers, and stamps. Printing on clothing came as a surprise. A few months after the war started, I left for Poland with my children, where I deeply felt the impact of these events and missed home terribly. That’s when I created two illustrations: a heart from which flowers grow and a guardian of the home. My friends saw them and showed them to a clothing manufacturer, who then offered to print these illustrations on T-shirts. Of course, I agreed. Later, I received an order from another manufacturer also involved in clothing printing. That’s when the "Free" illustration was created.

Interviewer: What is the most important thing in art for you?

Lina: For me, the most important thing in art is the ability to express my inner world, to transfer my vision onto canvas or paper, and for it to resonate with the heart of the viewer.

Interviewer: You have a series of paintings featuring mice. In each one, it seems as if a happy moment is frozen in time. You mentioned that people inspired you to create these works. Could you tell us more about that?

Lina: These mice are actually the characters of my book!

For the past two years, I lived in a monastery where missionary sisters sheltered us Ukrainians. It was from them, and not only them, that I drew inspiration for my characters. During that time, I worked in the kitchen, and one day a little mouse ran by. That’s when I drew my first mouse character – a little chef. This sparked the idea to make the main characters of my book mice. I observed the sisters, the staff, listened to their life stories, and then wrote my tales. My characters vary in age and personality – some are sad, some happy, some skinny, some chubby – just like people. I really hope to finish my book soon so that it can finally see the light of day.

Interviewer: What are you currently working on?

Lina: Currently, I have two projects: my book and a series of flower illustrations, which I plan to print as greeting cards.

Interviewer: You have many works on Ukrainian themes. One of the most significant paintings is 'Home, My Home'. Tell us about this painting.

Lina: The painting about home came to me while I was abroad, right after I had arrived. Every night, I dreamt of home. My thoughts were constantly about home. I saw on the news how the enemies were destroying homes. In my mind, I envisioned a painting of a girl embracing a wounded home. She’s wearing a yellow and blue wreath, symbolizing Ukraine. The house is patched together and bandaged with plasters. It will heal. Now, I’m home, and I’m so happy about that. For me, home is the place where you live, where your children are born and grow, where you create your own comfort and coziness. It’s your place of strength.

Interviewer: In addition to creating paintings, you also design postcards and photo albums. Each design is exquisite. What is the process of working on them?

Lina: I also really love creating greeting cards, photo albums, and various art objects. I’ve been a designer for many domestic and international material manufacturers. Currently, I work with just one design team, which is our Ukrainian mixed-media material manufacturer, Scrapego. The process of creating cards is quite labor-intensive but incredibly exciting. Almost all of the decorations for my cards, such as flowers, clay elements, and more, I make myself. I can’t imagine my life without illustration and scrapbooking.

Interviewer: What message do you convey through your art? Why that particular one?

Lina: Through my work, I want to bring something good and beautiful into the world, to touch hearts, and to inspire. Sometimes, I infuse my pieces with certain meanings or feelings. And when I see that people enjoy and connect with my work, it warms my heart and makes me feel so happy.