My new painting "Two states" or "Before and after". I started it back in 2020, in May, when the peonies were in bloom. I painted a light background on the right and a bright, voluminous peony. I remember well that joyful mood, the smell of flowers. I didn't finish this picture then. I returned to her now, being in Kharkov in April 2022. My city is shelled daily by Russian troops from hailstones, it’s very scary. In the rare quiet hours, I try to do something useful. I'm trying to keep drawing. I drew this picture. On the left is a completely different mood. And in my soul at the same time there are these two states - restraint, patience, confusion and, on the other hand hope for a new spring, for rebirth. Red peony is like my soul, which wants to live, love, create, do good. I do not understand when this will end and how to survive now. But I hope....