Olesia Shelk

100 and 1 birds of happiness

The 100 and 1 Birds of Happiness project was born out of my passion for drawing birds and my desire to share that happiness with others. Inspired by my son Dobrynya's question about why I draw birds, I thought about creating a series of 101 birds, each one carrying its own unique story and symbolizing happiness. The idea behind the project is to draw 100 birds and give them to people around the world and keep one for my son and me, symbolizing the connection between the past, present and future. Each bird is numbered and carefully recorded so I can keep track of where and with whom they find their new home. This project has become not only a way for me to express myself creatively, but also a personal story of overcoming and hope during one of the hardest times of my life. It allows each bird to find its unique home and bring joy and inspiration into the lives of the people they meet.