In his modest room on the Bilderdijkstraat in Heemskerk, there is an easel in the corner of the room. When he has some rest, Valeriy squeezes into the corner and tries to get something on the canvas.

But the moments of serene peace he needs to get into a flow are rare. He lives with his wife, daughter and three grandchildren. A busy and noisy place. That is why he longs for a place where he can paint in complete silence.

Learned young, done old

Lutensko grew up in a creative home, where a love for art was instilled by his grandmother. From the age of three, he enjoys nothing more than drawing. He attended art academy and developed a recognizable style, with influences from surrealism, nature and architecture.

He has a well-known name in Ukraine: founder of the Etude art center, with its own gallery and workshop. His paintings hung in countless exhibitions and that earned him a good living.

But when war broke out, Lutensko had to leave in a hurry. His city was occupied and he left his studio, canvases and paint behind with a heavy heart. He fled to the Netherlands together with his wife, daughter and three grandchildren. It put the opportunity to work on hold, but he continued to have the urge to create.

Text continues under the photo.

ttn-55