I do a lot of different types of art. My art consists of pictures that are hung on the walls and some of it is in the form of sculptural, wood furniture. I like super realism in my pictures and free form, smooth wood in my furniture. But I make my living as a Computer Illustrator. The art that helps me meditate is my Pysanky. I can find vast amounts of tranquility in creating art on eggs. In Ukrainian it means, 'the art of drawing or writing' (Expressing one's self). I became intrigued with this form of art from enjoying Easter festivities at Mr. Voniak's house. He lived across the street from me in West Hempstead. He and his wife would invite the entire neighborhood to his house to celebrate! His wonderful creations totaled in the hundreds and surrounded the room in beautiful egg platters. When I turned 10 I began bugging him year after year to tell me how they were done. When I was 14 he asked my parents permission to teach me this ancient craft and thankfully they said yes. Most chicken eggs take several days to create just one design. During the day Mr. Voniak was a foreman in a lumberyard. He only had the evenings to work on his Pysanky. So he and I would sit in his basement night after night with just a candle between us to heat the drawing tools (kistkas and wax) he explained to me about the symbols and their meanings and how Pysanky came to be. There is something quiet and meditative when you're concentrating on the forms you are creating on the egg and all you hear is your breathing and the scratch of the tool on the shell. He and I would start 2 months before Easter in preparation for the big event. We worked together for 4 years until I went to College. He was truly a great teacher, a good artist and one of the finest mentors anyone could ever hope for. He was soft spoken and kind and the world needs more people like him. His pieces were basic compared to what I'm doing now and I wish I could show him my Pysanky. But without him I would have never accomplished any of my Pysanky. Now I teach Pysanky where and when I can and hope that I can inspire someone else to enjoy this art form too. The classes I teach are 3 to 4 hours long and no one ever leaves early. It takes a long time to create these little treasures. It can't be rushed. Not even for my simplest of classes. I love to catch the incredible look in a persons face when they achieve a fulfilling moment in my class. And they get it. Peace. Accomplishment. Relaxation.