“Breath of Autumn. October” – Original Watercolor by Marina Stognieva

The Story Behind the Painting

“Breath of Autumn. October” is an original watercolor by Ukrainian artist Marina Stognieva, created in 2023. The work is painted with watercolor on 300 g/m² paper, measures 24 × 31 cm, and is presented unframed.

At the centre of the composition stands a tree at the brightest moment of autumn. Its crown seems to glow from within with yellow, golden, orange, and red tones. Green trees remain around it, and this contrast makes the central tree appear even more luminous.

General view of the watercolor “Breath of Autumn. October”.

The title reflects not only the season, but the particular feeling of October — a brief time when nature seems to change almost every day. A tree may have been green only yesterday, yet today its crown is already filled with gold and fiery colour.

Watercolor is especially suited to conveying this sense of change. Transparent layers of colour overlap, blend in some areas, and remain as brighter separate accents in others. Because of this, the crown feels alive, light, and filled with autumn sunlight.

Detail of “Breath of Autumn. October”.

Up close, the character of the watercolor becomes especially visible: small warm patches form the foliage without turning into a literal depiction of every leaf. The artist leaves space for air, light, and movement, so the tree is perceived emotionally — as a moment of autumn preserved on paper.

Interior visualisation of “Breath of Autumn. October” framed in an interior.

In autumn 2023, “Breath of Autumn. October” took part in Marina Stognieva’s personal exhibition in a Kyiv forest. The artist organised the exhibition during the full-scale war, placing the artworks directly among the trees, where art interacted with nature, autumn light, and the real forest environment.

A moment from the personal exhibition in the forest. Kyiv, 2023.

For this watercolor, such a display was especially symbolic: the autumn tree painted on paper was placed among real trees in an October forest. The artwork seemed to return to the very environment from which its inspiration had come.

→ Learn more about the forest exhibition and explore the collection

→ Explore the gallery

→ Learn more about the artist

Artwork Details

Original Watercolor & Collectible Fine Art Prints

“Breath of Autumn. October” is an original watercolor by Marina Stognieva, created by hand on 300 g/m² paper. It is a unique one-of-a-kind artwork.

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. The watercolor on paper is carefully packed with the characteristics of the medium in mind, helping protect the artwork from moisture, bending, and mechanical damage during transportation.

Shipping costs and estimated delivery times are calculated individually depending on the destination. All purchase, payment, packaging, and international shipping details can be discussed directly with the artist before ordering.

“October always feels to me like the month when nature allows itself to become especially vivid for a short time. One tree suddenly turns golden and orange among the still-green surroundings — and you want to preserve that moment before it changes.”

— Marina Stognieva