I was really plenair-pilled that summer.

I participated in SPBU textile department expedition to Kirishi organised as a part of preservation of Zakhozh lace technique. I loved every minute of it.

summer 2022 was awesome🤘🤠🤜🦟

As I was finishing this étude of three drunks on the bench at Kirishi town beach, a man approached me.

'Nice technique. I can see the passion,' he said.
'is this a 'White Nights' watercolor?'

The man proceeded to observe me painting, making gentle remarks and telling me about his life, his diploma in art college, how he got out of prison just recently. On and on, he asked me to draw him. I was expecting this. This is a common occasion at pleinairs and usually it feels intrusive and tacky, but this time was different. People on the street always ask to draw them and I hate it, but this man & his friend (who kept silent the whole time) really deserved it.

During subsequent conversation, it appeared that these men were from Mozyr, Belarus. Which is almost 1000 km away from Kirishi! Wow! I was impressed. How could 3 belarussians randomly meet in Kirishi town?

It is a pity that my colleague put on his clothes only after the painting was done - I love this red shirt and boots, turquoise socks combination - it would've been much more cooler to draw him in this look. Anyways, everything was amazing.

'It is, and a couple of additional colors', I answered,
surprised by this ordinary-looking slightly drunk man's knowledge of art mediums.

'Are these oil pastels? Ah, such a nice material to work with' - the man knows what he talks about.

волохов