The crafty community, like most of the world, has been absolutely shaken to the core by what is happening in Ukraine. I spent most of Friday and Saturday in a bit of a haze, feeling heartbroken over what was happening and feeling utterly powerless to help. A crafty friend, the unbelievably talented Yana Smakula, is from Ukraine and is currently there during all of this. She has been sharing updates on her Instagram and Facebook pages, and what they’re going through is just horrific. Personally knowing someone who is spending her evenings in bomb shelters and making Molotov cocktails makes this seem so much more real, and that much more terrifying.
I saw that my friends in the Share Handmade Kindness Facebook group were going to start sharing their yellow and blue art in honor of the Ukrainians fighting so bravely for their home, and it inspired me to channel my sadness into some artwork. Sunflowers are the official flower of Ukraine, and their flag is yellow and blue, so I created this free Sunflower download so that you can color it with your choice of medium, and share on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #cardsforUkraine.
Ukraine Sunflower/Anemone No-Line
Ukraine Sunflower/Anemone Outline
I created a black outline version as well as a no-line coloring version. Simply click the link above to download the files. Please note, these files are for personal use only. The images belong to me, Emily Midgett, and they are not to be used for commercial gain.
Here’s my colored panel:
If you’re the Instagramming type and feel like you would like to donate, @ukrainecarddrive is hosting an online card auction, starting tomorrow. Masses of beautiful cards to be auctioned off, with 100% of the money being donated to global humanitarian efforts to help those in Ukraine. Check out the @ukrainecarddrive account for all of the details.
It was suggested that I should charge a few dollars for the digital stamp and donate the proceeds, but I think I will just post a link to the World Central Kitchen, which is an incredible humanitarian organization that has already set up in Ukraine to help those in need. If you feel inclined to donate in exchange for the digital drawing, you can do so here. Not at all required, but very, very appreciated.
Thanks so much for reading and for being here, my friends. Times like these make a person feel so grateful (almost to the point of feeling guilty) for all of the good things in your life, and you wonderfully supportive readers are definitely on my list of “good things.” I hope you enjoy the illustration and that it maybe provides you with a bit of artistic peace. Sending you crafty hugs.