Hi, it’s me again!

After publishing yesterday’s design for Olga of Kyiv, I very quickly discovered that even when historical characters are over 1000 years old, sometimes modern issues and context does overlap, as you can never entirely distance…anything! Nothing happens in a vacuum (take that, space).

So I’m back to add a bit onto yesterday’s design brief. Since finishing what has felt like a mammoth task, I have since eaten ice cream and slept, which has led to a fresh brain today, where I have been continuing the research to make sure I’ve got her how I consider to be right. I can’t say “got her right” as I wasn’t there, and is there a “right”? ie, is there a way to get the thumbs up from every person – there is not – but I can get her close, maybe.

In the previous write up, I stated how I felt more out of my depth with this one than others, and that it was a lot of information and context to absorb, and then blurt back out at you. Which is true.

Since yesterday, I have furthered research of the design elements and how symbols are seen in the context of the current Ukraine/Russia conflict, which has included three long phonecalls today with people who know more than I, so thank you to them.

However, there didn’t appear to be a specific design element that had caused issue, which means it’s hard to act upon, so I went over her details again. I’ve decided to keep with her design and reiterate that she was Kyivan Rus, which was before there was a Russia and Ukraine as we know them today.

The cross we are using is the same as shown on the Monument of St. Princess Olga, built and displayed in Kyiv since 1911. Our depiction is similar all around but less Byzantine influence, as I’m placing her in an earlier style to reflect her roots.

That’s all really, I wanted to let you know that we love feedback, and it all goes to making a better model, as well as the heaps of learning along the way. So never be afraid to question a part of the design, especially in this Community Miniatures Project.

Still, I prefer this method of cramming a whole load of information over simply pointing at a painting and saying to the sculptor “knock this off, mate”, because, even when many of the design elements end up similar to previous portrayals. I can confidently say how and why each part was chosen, with a deeper understanding beyond “well that looks cool”. It does open us up to more criticism but hey, that’s how we all learn; there’s no honour in being a copycat!

Thanks all as always,

I’m having a break this weekend to celebrate catching up with A LOT this week, and then I can start putting wheels in motion for the relaunch of Community Minis Project, and get those nominations going for the next minis!

Annie