Renowned Ukrainian artist Yevheniia Hapchynska has painted a portrait of Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, and his favourite frog who lives in an aquarium in Budanov’s office. The piece has already been sold for US$6,000. Source: a news story by TSN news service, on air of the national 24/7 newscast Details: Yevheniia said that it was her children who asked her to make a portrait of Budanov.
Quote: "He is a favourite of our entire family. There are few colours and details [on the painting], but there is this charming, well-known smile that we all like so much," the artist shared. She claims she had never been to Budanov's workplace, so she based his image from a single interview with him, taking freeze frames and examining the minutiae.
The artist described the frog that appeared next to the general as "fabulous." The artist claims that the animal in the image appears to be "whispering something to the head of Defence Intelligence." Yevheniia dubbed the portrait Budanov and the Magical Frog just after it was finished.
After a few hours, she decided to erase the inscription, but could not do so, despite the fact that paints can dry for a week. The artist's work prompted a reaction from Budanov himself. He mentioned that the frog's name is Petro.
The animal is a true long-liver, at 17 years old now. Budanov thanked the artist and her family for the inspiration. "I thank Yevheniia, her warrior husband, and their children who inspire the artist to cre.