My Mother Yulia Pokalo: A Study in Grace

A Work in Progress. A Lifetime of Love.

“Mama” is more than a portrait; it is a conversation between an artist and her roots. Created as a companion piece to the portrait of my father, this work is a tribute to the woman who shaped my world. As a scientist—a chemist and biologist—my mother has always seen the hidden structures of the world, and in this portrait, I aim to capture the beautiful structure of her spirit.

The Soul of the Companion Piece

While my father’s portrait captures a specific legacy, “Mama” is being crafted to reflect the nurturing, intellectual, and creative force she represents. Painting a parent is a journey of discovery, and this piece is a reflection of the grace and wisdom she has carried through the years.

The “Homecoming” Process

This portrait is currently a work in progress. Like the memories it represents, it is being built in layers, with the final brushstrokes waiting for my next journey home.

• The Dry Brush Connection: Utilizing the same dry brush oil on canvas technique as its companion piece, I am focusing on the softness of the skin and the familiar light in her eyes.

• A Living Project: Because this portrait is being finished “on location” during my visits home, every layer of paint is infused with the actual presence and energy of being with her.

• Technique: Fine-layered oil application to achieve a hyper-realistic, soulful texture without the weight of traditional heavy oils.

Product Details

• Medium: Dry Brush Oil on Canvas

• Status: In Progress (Awaiting final layers)

• Inspiration: A tribute to a mother, a scientist, and a creative collaborator.

• Pairing: Designed to hang alongside the portrait of my father as a complete family legacy.

A Note on the Journey

There is a unique magic in an unfinished work. It represents the “becoming.” I look forward to the moment I can return home, sit with my mother, and place those final, defining highlights that will bring this “Stone-Couture” heart to its full completion.