“I Feel Like I’m Making the World More Beautiful”: Vinnytsia Resident Olena Katruk Creates Leather Artworks

Vinnytsia-based artist Olena Katruk has spent over a decade transforming old leather jackets into paintings, floral compositions, and decorative pieces, including her tribute to Ukraine’s defenders.

For more than ten years, Olena Katruk from Yampil in Vinnytsia region has been creating paintings using the artistic leatherworking technique. The craftswoman turns old jackets into floral compositions, still lifes, and decorative pieces. One of her works, “Unbreakable Ukraine,” is dedicated to Ukrainian service members and commemorates fallen defenders. Since October 23, the painting has been on display at a regional folk art exhibition in Vinnytsia. This was reported by Suspilne.

“I Put My Soul and Imagination Into Every Piece”

Olena told us that she has a degree in primary education. After taking maternity leave, she decided to pursue a second degree in Social Work at Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University. She worked as a kindergarten teacher, later in the enforcement service and at a municipal utility company. She currently heads the local history department at the Yampil Museum of Fine Arts. In her free time, she has been creating leather artworks for more than ten years.

“I put my soul and imagination into every piece. I try to bring beauty into this world. People like my paintings, and I enjoy what I do myself. I feel like I’m making the world more beautiful,” Olena Katruk said.

According to her, it all started with a small, fairly simple painting depicting waves. She brought it to the kindergarten where she worked and was surprised by her colleagues’ reaction.

“Everyone praised my first piece so much! Back then, I could never have imagined that I would go on to create better paintings. If you saw that first piece now, you would understand just how simple it was compared to what I make today. But that was when I realized how much I enjoyed it and that I wanted to keep developing my skills,” Olena Katruk said.

“I Wanted the Painting to Speak for Itself”

Since then, the craftswoman’s works have become increasingly complex, with new techniques, compositions, and colour combinations. Eventually, she came up with an idea that went beyond her usual floral subjects: creating a painting dedicated to Ukraine’s defenders, titled “Unbreakable Ukraine.”

She said the idea had come to her long before she began working on the painting. She wanted to dedicate it to her country, its independence, and the people defending their homeland. She planned to complete the composition in time for Ukraine’s Independence Day.

“I had been thinking about creating a painting on a patriotic theme for a long time. I usually make flowers because Ukraine has such beautiful, picturesque nature! But one day, my son said to me, ‘Mom, all you ever make is flowers. Make something with a military theme, with soldiers in it.’ I gave it some thought and decided to give it a try.”

In the painting, the artist wanted to express her love for her homeland and gratitude to the defenders who protect Ukraine every day.

“When I finished the work, my son was surprised. He even examined the depictions of the weapons closely and recognized their markings. That was especially gratifying for me because I wanted the painting to be not just beautiful, but also meaningful,” the woman said.

According to her, every detail in the composition has its own meaning.

“The blue-and-yellow flag represents a free and independent Ukraine. The Tryzub (trident) symbolizes statehood, historical continuity, and Ukrainians’ right to live in their own country. The embroidered rushnyk represents a mother’s blessing, love, and prayers for those setting out to defend their homeland. The soldier in the painting moves forward across his native land, through the wheat fields, defending it. To me, this symbolizes the courage and resilience of Ukrainian soldiers. They are not simply defending territory — they are protecting our home, our freedom, and our future.”

At the bottom of the painting, Olena placed poppies as a symbol of remembrance for the fallen — those who gave their lives for the independence of their country.

“I wanted everyone who looks at this work to feel both the pain of loss and gratitude and pride in our defenders.”

The craftswoman spent two days creating “Unbreakable Ukraine.” She says she was in a hurry because she wanted the work to be included in the exhibition in Vinnytsia. For her, the painting became an opportunity to tell the story of the war, Ukrainian service members, and the price of freedom through art.

Since October 23, the painting “Unbreakable Ukraine” has been on display at the exhibition hall of the Vinnytsia Regional Organization of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, where visitors can see Olena’s work alongside pieces by other artists. The exhibition will run for one month.

“Every Leather Item Has Its Own Texture, and That Affects the Result”

Olena Katruk explained that, at first glance, it is hard to believe that the three-dimensional flowers, delicate petals, and expressive leaves in her works are made from ordinary leather that was once part of clothing. Friends and acquaintances often give her their old leather jackets.

“This type of clothing used to be particularly popular, but now many items are left unused in wardrobes. People know what I do and bring me leather jackets. They say, ‘We don’t wear these anymore, but you might find them useful for your art.’ And indeed, even if an item is no longer needed by its owners, it can be given a second life in a painting,” Olena said.

For her work, the craftswoman selects leather in different colours and textures. She tries not to dye the material, preferring to use its natural shades.

This allows her to achieve a harmonious blend of colours and make each composition more expressive.

“Leather comes in different types. For example, Turkish nappa leather jackets are soft and easy to work with, while sheepskin can be denser and therefore more difficult to process. To shape a petal properly and make a flower almost come to life in your hands, you need soft, high-quality leather. I deliberately collect materials in different colours. I don’t want to dye everything, because I can find the right shade among the materials I already have. Every leather item has its own texture, and that also affects the final result,” the craftswoman said.

The craftswoman treats the leather with water mixed with PVA glue. According to her, this makes the material suitable for shaping three-dimensional elements. Using a special tool called a bulka, fitted with various attachments, Olena gives the leather the desired curves, creates texture, and shapes petals and leaves.

“First, the leather needs to be prepared so that it can take the desired shape. I treat it with a solution of water and PVA glue, then use special tools to shape the elements I need.”

“I Like It When Art Can Be Not Only Seen but Also Felt”

Olena Katruk’s works include floral compositions, still lifes, and decorative pieces. Each painting has its own story, the craftswoman said. She finds inspiration in everyday life, her family, and Ukrainian nature.

One of her works is titled “Melody of Flowers.” In this composition, the artist said, she combined her love of flowers with the music that fills her home.

“I feel that every little flower has its own melody. My daughter plays the piano, and whenever I attend her lessons, I find inspiration in them. That’s how I came up with the idea of conveying music through flowers. I wanted people not just to see a beautiful composition, but also to feel its mood and imagine the melody. We even made a video combining the painting with piano music. I like it when art can be not only seen but also felt,” Olena said.

The painting “Autumn Fruits” conveys a different mood. In this still life, the craftswoman said, she sought to capture the abundance of Ukrainian land.

“I really like this painting, too. It shows how rich and generous our land is. To me, it symbolizes a full cup — abundance, prosperity, and well-being in the family. I hope every home has everything it needs and that people can live in peace and prosperity.”

Olena Katruk also makes decorative clocks adorned with leather flowers, as well as other items.

“I like it when beauty is combined with practicality. Besides paintings, I make various accessories, keychains, pendants, and other handmade items,” Olena Katruk said.

According to her, her husband, family, and colleagues support her creative work.

“The girls at work joke: ‘We don’t come to work wearing leather jackets anymore because you immediately look at them and start thinking about what kind of painting you could make from them.’”

Olena Katruk takes part in exhibitions and charity initiatives. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, in 2021, two of her paintings were displayed at the Yampil Museum of Fine Arts. This year, the craftswoman took part in charity events organized by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. Her handmade items were featured in charity auctions, including those held to support orphaned children.