Ukrainian Folk Painting with Soul and Symbolism
Step into the world of Petrykivka painting — a vibrant Ukrainian folk art tradition where each brushstroke carries beauty, meaning, and ancestral memory. This series of art classes are guided by Liudmyla Makey, a skilled artist and cultural ambassador who brings warmth, depth, and authentic technique to every session.
✨ What Makes Petrykivka Unique?
Inscribed in 2013 (8.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
The people of the village of Petrykivka decorate their living quarters, household belongings and musical instruments with a style of ornamental painting that is characterized by fantastic flowers and other natural elements, based on careful observation of the local flora and fauna.
Local people, and in particular women of all ages, are involved in this folk art tradition.
Every family has at least one practitioner, making decorative painting an integral part of daily existence in the community.
The painting traditions, including the symbolism of the ornamental elements, are transferred, renewed and enhanced from one generation to another.
Ukranian majstrynia (artists) teach the fundamentals of Petrykivka decorative painting, with all children given the opportunity to study it.
Reviews
What our guests think
★★★★★
“Недільний курс із петриківського розпису. Пару годин праці - і розквітли чудернацькі бузкові іриси. Lyudmila Makey та Anna Congedo, дякую за творчість і атмосферу натхнення. Це не просто хобі, а й популяризація української культури для іноземців.”
Iryna – Journalist
★★★★★
“Я не просто малюю, раз за разом долаючи страхи, що щось не вийде. Я навчаюся і розвиваюся. А ще шалено пишаюся, що Anna Koshtyna організувала дивовижний простір, де Lyudmila Makey відкриває чарівний світ і Петриківського розпису. Тож ми зберігаємо і популяризуємо українські культуру на Балканах.”
Tatiana – Journalist
★★★★★
“It has been a very creative weekend - filled with Ukrainian painting and punch needling ”
Chloe – Educator
🎨 What to Expect in the Class
Learn traditional Ukrainian motifs
Flowers, birds, leaves, and viburnum (kalyna) berries, each with symbolic meaning.
Work with quality materials
Richly pigmented paints
Natural paper suitable for folk decorative art
Use unique tools
Try the cat-hair brush for delicate, flowing strokes, create berries and details using your own fingertip, a signature Petrykivka technique
Guidance by an experienced artist
Taught by Liudmyla Makey and Anna Congedo, who combine artistic skill with a warm, intuitive teaching style
People
🌍 Who Attends?
Our Ukranian community in Kosovo willingly teaches its folk decorative art skills and know-how to anyone who shows an interest in Petrykivka painting. The tradition of decorative and applied arts contributes to the renewal of historical and spiritual memory and defines the identity of the entire Ukranian community.
Our Petrykivka workshops attract international participants from all backgrounds — artists, travelers, curious beginners, and cultural explorers. No prior art experience is needed.
Whether you're Ukrainian or new to the culture, this is a beautiful way to connect to stories, symbols, and self-expression.
Symbols
🌸 The Language of Symbols in Petrykivka Decorative Art
Petrykivka painting is more than just ornament — it’s a symbolic language rooted in nature, tradition, and protection. Originating in central Ukraine, this vibrant folk art was used to decorate homes and everyday objects, offering both beauty and meaning.
Each element in Petrykivka carries a symbolic message:
- 🐦 Birds symbolize freedom, the soul, and love — often shown in pairs, they bring warmth and connection.
- 🌸 Flowers represent harmony, renewal, and the cycle of life. Bouquets often express balance and emotional wholeness.
- 🌿 Leaves and vines stand for growth, strength, and continuity, weaving together the elements of life.
- ☀️ Sun-like shapes and circular forms protect the home and represent vital energy.
These motifs, painted in flowing, layered strokes, are not just decorative — they are meant to guard, uplift, and connect the human spirit with nature and tradition.
Techniques
Finger painting
In Petrykivka art, one of the most important tools - beyond brushes - is the artist’s own finger.
Using a fingertip, artists create delicate elements such as flowers, berries, and especially the iconic viburnum clusters (kalyna), a cherished symbol in Ukrainian culture.
A true Petrykivka kalyna is said to be authentic only when it bears the fingerprint of the artist - a personal, tactile imprint that connects the artwork to the human hand and heart.
This method is traditional, and deeply symbolic: each berry carries the presence, warmth, and intention of its creator.
Materials
Cat-Hair Brush
One of the most unique tools in Petrykivka painting, Ukraine’s iconic decorative folk art, is the cat-hair brush — a handmade instrument known for its precision, softness, and symbolic charm.
Traditionally, these brushes are crafted using a single tuft of naturally shed cat hair, tied to a wooden stick or match. The softness and taper of the hairs allow artists to create Petrykivka’s signature "kryvulka" stroke — a delicate, comma-like mark that forms the flowing patterns of flowers, leaves, and feathers.
The cat-brush carries the spirit of tradition - reminding us that beauty often begins with the simplest materials and the gentlest touch.
What makes the cat-hair brush so special is its ability to deliver both ultra-fine lines and organic movement in a single motion. In the hands of a skilled artist, it brings to life the graceful rhythm and emotional richness of this centuries-old art form.