Avilys 20

Description

Avilys 20

Wayy back 10 years ago in January, I inked 20 4×4″ illustrations of honeybees in traditional Lithuanian clothing, and then painted them in watercolors in March. I called this series “Avilys”, meaning “beehive” in Lithuanian: a meditation on my feelings about being of Lithuanian descent in America. Bees have a special significance in Lithuanian history, and feature prominently in their language and stories. Each bee is unique and depicts an aspect of culture, food, or history!

Avilys 20: The Lithuanian flag! Our final bee is draped in the green-yellow-red flag that has come to represent Lithuania in the modern times. Perhaps he’s cheering on the Lithuanian national basketball team (the most popular sport), visiting any of the large Lithuanian diaspora locations (such as Chicago), or just showing his patriotism!