Page 29 - Leon Oks : Dreamscape

nature’s beauty, even amongst the horrors

and ravages of wartime. Being a child, Leon
didn’t fully understand all the hardship
his family went through, but he always
listened, taking quick notes in his mind,
whenever his neighbors got together and

shared their life experiences during this
horrible time. He began to draw, slowly
working his way toward watercolor. At

the time, they were a family of six, living
together in one room that was used both
as a living room and as a bedroom, and
a small kitchen, which soon became his
‘studio’. Here, Leon created some of his

first artworks late at night, after everyone
went to bed. Leon loved to paint Ukrainian
villages and people the way only a child

can see and feel.
1982 USA: Leon Oks 43

It has only been within the last few years that he was painting in the studio which he uses
this artist has come to greatly appreciate today, Leon looked through the window,

those childhood feelings. One day, while and noticed it was snowing beautifully.
This helped him recall his childhood
with great passion. So powerful were
the memories, that when the artist started
painting, the progression of compositions

of his childhood town, which he knew
and remembered clearly, came out in all
their beauty and sadness. He called this
series of paintings “MY CHILDHOOD

MEMORIES”, as a memento to a time
long gone.

1966 Ukraine:
Lucy Oks 25 and Leon Oks 27

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