“Picnic in the Forest” – Original Ukrainian Painting by Marina Stognieva

The Story Behind the Painting

“Picnic in the Forest” is an original painting by Ukrainian artist Marina Stognieva, created in oil on canvas. The artwork measures 21 × 30 cm and belongs to the artist’s large-scale project “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine”. Within this project, the painting is dedicated to the Donetsk region of Ukraine.

In this work, the artist turns not to a monumental or ceremonial image of the region, but to an ordinary human moment — resting in nature, sharing food, talking, and enjoying the warmth of being together. It is often through such simple scenes that personal memory of a place, its atmosphere, and the way people live becomes most vivid.

General view of the painting “Picnic in the Forest”. Oil on canvas, 21 × 30 cm.

At the centre of the composition is a large pot suspended over an open fire. Inside, kulish is being prepared — a traditional Ukrainian field dish, thick and nourishing, somewhere between porridge and soup. It has long been associated with outdoor cooking during picnics, fishing trips, family gatherings, and time spent in nature.

Nearby lie fish and tableware, while several female figures sit around an improvised table deeper in the forest. They are absorbed in conversation, waiting for the hot meal and seemingly unaware of the viewer. This makes the scene feel natural and spontaneous, almost like a fragment of a summer day caught in passing.

The painting is created in a free, expressive manner with broad, energetic brushstrokes. What matters here is not photographic precision, but impression — the heat of the fire, the depth of the green forest, the generosity of the meal, the movement of the air, and the living presence of people.

Green fills almost the entire canvas, but it is far from uniform. Yellow, blue, turquoise, pink, and darker tones appear throughout, creating the impression of sunlight filtering through foliage. Against this background, the red and orange brushstrokes of the fire become especially vivid.

In the foreground, the kulish and fish almost become a separate still life within the landscape. Food here carries more than a domestic meaning — it becomes a symbol of hospitality, togetherness, and the simple pleasure of people gathering around the same table.

The painting almost allows the viewer to imagine the smell of smoke, the warmth of the fire, the rustle of leaves, and the quiet murmur of conversation. It captures a very simple but precious feeling — there is nowhere to hurry, familiar people are nearby, nature surrounds you, and the meal is being cooked directly over the fire.

“Picnic in the Forest” is a painting about hospitality, shared food, time in nature, and the beauty of ordinary human moments. Scenes like this make the image of a region feel alive — not only through its cities, architecture, or historical events, but through everyday life.

Within “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine”, this work adds a warm and personal note to the artistic portrait of the Donetsk region. Alongside industrial imagery, urban landscapes, and human stories, it reveals another important side of the region — nature, leisure, food, conversation, and memories of peaceful life.

→ Explore the Donetsk Region in “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine”

→ Discover “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine”

Artwork Details

Original Artwork & Collectible Fine Art Prints

The painting “Picnic in the Forest” is an original one-of-a-kind artwork by Marina Stognieva, painted by hand in oil on canvas.

Collectible Fine Art Prints personally signed by Marina Stognieva may also be available for selected works. Available formats, materials, prices, and other details can be discussed before ordering.

Payment & Worldwide Shipping

Payment can be made via PayPal, bank transfer, or another agreed method.

Worldwide shipping is available. Shipping costs and estimated delivery times are calculated individually depending on the destination and order details.

The painting is carefully packaged for safe transportation. All purchase, payment, and international shipping details can be discussed directly with the artist before ordering.

“I wanted to preserve in this painting not only the forest and the people, but the feeling of such a day — the smell of smoke, food cooked over the fire, conversation, and the simple joy of being together in nature.”

— Marina Stognieva