Umeda

In the artwork "Umeda", painted in 2018, I depicted the nanny of my younger sister Safiya. She came to us when Safa was one year old and I was 14, and became an integral part of a large family for everyone. Umeda is a person of "the same wave" with us: we laugh at the same jokes, cry at the same sad episodes, love the same cuisine, like the same music performers. Together we experience our victories and defeats.

Umeda is very gentle and attentive, warm and loving. Safa probably loves her the most, but Umeda's love is enough for all of us, we (sisters) are not jealous of her for each other.

The idea for this painting came when I had a regular painting lesson. Umeda entered the studio, wearing a large green-turquoise-blue checked bathrobe and a towel over her head. Illuminated by the bright sun, her outfit burned with fabulous colors, and my art teacher exclaimed: “Medina, quickly take a picture of Umeda, you should paint her.” And I immediately started working on the portrait: I chose the size for a long time, selected the right colors - during this period I painted with acrylic. I highlighted the reflections of the sun that fell on Umeda's face and clothes with orange and red tones. The background of the picture shimmers with different shades of yellow - this color gives me a feeling of warmth, something very dear, homely.

The portrait of Umeda was bought at the very first exhibition, as it was cozy and sincere.