Whitehorse painter raises relief funds through art

Key takeaways: 

• ‘In the system of things, it’s nothing. But it’s way more than I could personally provide for myself.’
• Ava P. Christl is a long-time Yukon artist.
• She has been painting sunflowers every day since the war started in Ukraine and is now vending her work to raise funds for relief measures. 

April 19 marks 55 days since the beginning of the battle in Ukraine.

Over the previous month and a half, people worldwide, particularly in the Yukon, have come together to show help for the Ukrainian citizens. From a solidarity rally in downtown Whitehorse to a homemade pierogi fundraiser and a Yukon artist trying to support in the best way she knows how — painting.

Ava P. Christl is a well-known artist in the Yukon. She has been painting sunflowers — the nationwide flower of Ukraine — every day since the battle started.

Now, she’s vending her painting to raise funds for humanitarian assistance through the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

Per six-by-six inches oil painting is vending for $50. So far, Christl has sold almost 40 paintings.

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“In the system of things, it’s nothing. But it’s way more than I could personally provide for myself because I’m a painter, and I’m old on a pension,” she said.

Christl said the reply from Yukoners has been completely overwhelming, mainly the optimistic words.

“I got a note from somebody purchasing one saying, ‘What a lovely thing to do amid all the mess that these lovely flowers go out into the world and we’re all connected,'” Christl said. “That feels me.”

30-day challenge

This is not the only time Christl has done a long line of straight paintings.

She participated in a 30-day painting challenge managed by a Vancouver curator when she stayed in Victoria. Since then, she’s been challenging herself to paint every day for March. 

Source – cbc.ca