Fire Meets Music: The Story Behind Ruslana’s Metal Portrait

1. An idea born of fire

It all started completely out of the blue.

I found out that Ruslana was coming to Chicago—and at that moment, as always, a fire ignited inside me. With three days to go before her performance, a thought suddenly popped into my head that wouldn’t let me rest: to create a portrait of her. Not commissioned, not planned—just to do it. From the heart.

I didn’t have to think twice. To me, Ruslana is more than just an artist. She is a source of energy that always recharges me; she is a voice that brings light and strength; she is a woman who embodies freedom, struggle, and inspiration. I’ve always been a fan of hers, and for me, creating her portrait meant expressing my gratitude for everything she does for Ukraine, for culture, and for people.

Three days—it might not seem like much. But when you’re consumed by an idea, time ceases to exist. In moments like these, I don’t feel tired, and I don’t think about the time or sleep. There’s only metal, welding, and music—this time, of course, “Wild Dances.”

2. From Sketch to Flame

I started with a simple photograph that captured her genuine smile—open, strong, and vibrant. Then I created an outline, a black-and-white stencil, which I used as a guide to shape the future metal composition.

For me, every piece of work is a process of creation.

First comes the idea, then the energy, then the flame.

I always say: I don’t paint with paint; I paint with fire.

And this time, the fire was special—because it gave rise to the image of a person who is himself a symbol of energy.

The process is technically complex: metal preparation, marking, initial welds, acid etching, and polishing. But the most important thing isn’t the technique. The most important thing is the emotion. I felt as though I wasn’t just painting a portrait, but capturing an imprint of her strength, her spirit, and her inner light.

As I ran my fingers over the metal, feeling the contours of the face to come, it seemed to me that the metal was coming to life. And that music was already playing within it—her music.

3. Fire as a Language of Art

My craft is more than just welding. It’s the language I use to speak to the world. Fire isn’t about destruction. It’s about creation.

He shapes, refines, and transforms metal into something alive.

When sparks fly all around, I feel not just like a craftsman, but like a part of the creative energy itself. In those moments, I tune out the world—and all that remains is the light of the arc, the sound of the machine, and the metal gradually revealing its true nature.

In this work, I wanted to convey exactly that—the energy of fire and music, both of which have the power to lift people up, inspire them, and set them ablaze. Ruslana has always carried this fire in her art.

And I just decided to respond in kind—with my own fire in metal.

4. Three days of creation. No sleep. No limits.

I only had three days. And I worked nonstop.

During the day I sanded, and at night I welded. I wanted to finish in time for the concert.

I didn't even think about being tired. Every spark that fell seemed to echo her rhythm, her strength.

I remember looking at the finished piece late at night—and just standing there in silence. There it was, right in front of me. Not a photograph, not an image—but the energy of a person who inspires an entire country.

And I realized: this portrait wasn't a coincidence. It was meant to appear right now.

5. The moment of truth

When the day of the concert arrived, I felt nervous, as if I were about to do something big.

I was standing in the hall among hundreds of people waiting for her performance. And when she stepped onto the stage—the hall erupted. I realized that the time had come.

After the concert, while the excitement was still in the air, I walked over and presented her with the portrait.

And in that moment—time stood still.

Ruslana looked at the painting, ran her hand over the metal, smiled, and said that she had received countless gifts in her life, but never one like this. Her words, her emotions—it was like thunder and warmth all at once.

She was so happy, so genuine in her reaction, that I felt I had done everything right.

6. A person who radiates kindness

Later, when we had a chance to talk alone, I realized that Ruslana is not just an artist. She is a person with a big heart.

Sincere, open, kind. No pretension, no facades.

I saw strength in her, but not a cold kind—a human one. The kind that lifts you up, inspires you, and shares with you. And, honestly, after that conversation, I began to respect her even more.