Postcards for Ukraine’s Victory Plan and Peace
President Zelenskyy's Sept. 2024 visit to the US to talk with President Biden, (the need for lifting restrictions on long range strikes), the candidates for US election, and the yearly UN summit inspired me to create these two, which are really a set.
Victory over Tyranny
Sept 19, 2024
This has a fiery red war explosion background, (nod to blowing up Russian ammo depots) with President Zelenskyy at a UN podium, with hands waving small flags in unity. The 10 point peace plan is also featured here, with a subtle dove underlay.
Of course since the actual "victory plan" was and still is classified, but I would think it is in preparation to a path for a just Peace.
A Just Peace
Sept 19, 2024
This has the blue universal background amid the clouds; again Pres. Zelenskyy is at the UN marble podium surrounded by Ukrainian flags. This is the outcome of the peace plan, with unity and harmony.
These cards were sent to a slightly different group of policy makers; to the National Security Council but also reaching out to others that could be influential.
Both postcards are paired with a quote from Prof. Snyder from a recent congressional hearing, one that I thought was very relevant to this moment.
Postcards to NATO
After the NATO summit, two things really haunted me, so this series goes to some - but not all - of NATO permanent members, Jake Sullivan, Pres. Biden, and many others that have the power to effect policy changes.
Ukraine belongs in NATO
Where's that Invitation to Join?
Since 2008, NATO has expressed its intentions that it will include Ukraine. NATO's paralysis in the face of nuclear intimidation compromises its credibility, from its stated obligation to address a security crisis affecting the alliance, and also its refusal to intervene even a humanitarian no fly zone in Ukraine’s sovereign air space.
Wasn't NATO created for just this purpose? Protecting European nations against Russian invasion?
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This design features Pres. Zelenskyy speaking at the podium during the NATO summit in DC July 9-11. I added the F-16s behind him in a patriotic ceremonial flyover, with the Ukrainian flag colors, and in the forefront there are Ukrainians waving small flags in victory.
You Can Stop this Genocide
This design is based on Russian war crimes of genocidal intent against Ukraine and Ukrainians, as documented by the UN meeting all the criteria.
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The teddy represents the children abducted, killed or maimed by Russian KH-1 missile targeted attack on the Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital July 8 in Kyiv. Behind the public bench where the toy teddy is slumped with his school backpack, you see the map of Ukraine in blood on the back wall, main cities have large bullet holes, but the whole country drips blood slowly that runs into the street. There’s a NATO logo sign tucked behind the teddy that is graffitied with Russian “Z” .
This is meant to be visceral…again, truth, raw emotion, but not hyperbole.
The Postcard Series for Ukraine Aid
March 24, 2024
The first series targeted the Congress, after Ukraine Aid of $60 bil was passed in the Senate before the end of 2023, and the House Speaker Johnson refused to bring a vote on this bill to the floor, delaying the Bills passage for months while Ukrainians on the front lines paid a price in blood for lack of munitions to fight the Russians. These postcards were mailed to EVERY GOP Congressperson’s office, including the White House. My full mailing list is linked right on the this page under series 3 with these postcards and the messages I added on the back of each.
Series 3: This is the third postcard mailing I sent this week of May 8, 2024. I believe a Thank You is deserved here, for the bipartisan effort taken, it will provide much needed ammo and morale for Ukraine, and a strong plus for the US National Security standing in unity with our European allies.
The white space I left open (left side) for any brief handwritten comments to the recipients.
3rd postcard design, front (top), back with message (bottom image). The actual postcard size is 9x6", and requires a first class stamp.
Each of these designs, or objects in a design, are hand-drawn vectors created by me in Adobe Illustrator.
*I have compiled a spreadsheet of all the Republicans in the House of Representatives and the mailing address of their DC offices. From that spreadsheet, I’ve created and printed mailing labels.
I am sharing this Excel file, if anyone is interested in mailing to Representatives.
download link: Excel spreadsheet with GOP Representatives' DC offices addresses
Series 2
Second postcard sent to GOP members of the House, direct mail April 17, 2024.This one had more drama and biblical symbolism regarding the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse
Series 1
First postcard sent to GOP members of the House, direct mail
March 24, 2024
STAND WITH UKRAINE
A vector Illustration series
PAINTINGS
This is my illustration and portrait series, some originals are available for sale and some (very) limited edition prints. If you see something you are interested in, contact me at cblair7@gmail.com
note: I have registered copyrights on most of these artworks, so please do not steal for NFTs.
SKETCHES / STUDIES
some of these originals are for sale in my Etsy shop
DESIGN
Various work for clients: posters, book and magazine covers, logo design, playing cards, etc.
CONNECT
Cynthia Blair
Illustration | Art | Design
Illustration and design services, freelance.
Currently working for non-profit charity organizations and other varied client work.
Software: Adobe CC Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, some After Effects, and Procreate.
I do: freelance illustration, print and book design, website and social media graphics, I'm very comfortable using both traditional and digital mediums, web and print formats.
Education: BFA Illustration RISD.
Other Interests: Music, portraits, mythology, philosophy and spiritual learning, psychology, technology, horticulture, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing.
