Join Debbie to welcome her series of paintings to our Art Gallery Wall!

“Ukrainians and their Pets” is a watercolor study of love and resilience, curated over the past several months. The series depicts the intimate bonds between Ukrainians and their animals, as seen on European and American news and YouTube.

Originally, the series was not meant to be seen by the public, but rather as a private way for Greene to process her angst and recover from sleepless nights as she watched daily war news.

"I have a very deep affinity for animals, especially those in our care," says Greene, a Berkshire native. "They are as dependent on us for love and survival as a small child." Greene was moved by stories of Ukrainian families fleeing with cats, dogs, guinea pigs, birds, turtles, and other pets while leaving behind all other worldly possessions to face an uncertain future. She also witnessed scenes of soldiers rescuing and adopting abandoned animals, and older Ukrainians who stayed in abandoned war-torn villages to care for animals in shelters.

Greene snapped pictures of YouTube stories with her iPhone to show her partner and neighbors. But then she decided to sketch from her blurry cellphone images. When she shared some early watercolors with a few friends, they encouraged her to keep painting. "This is a new direction for me," says Greene, who previously painted still lifes and landscapes.

“Ukrainians and their Pets” will be on view on the Berkshire Food Co-op Art Gallery Wall for the month of November. Greene will also display a poster listing organizations that support pet shelters and that rescue and care for abandoned pets in Ukraine. 10% of proceeds from art sales during this show will be donated to one of the organizations listed on the poster.