Helen Badulak
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Blog Post #79
"My life began at the age of twelve when I walked on the shores of the United States for the first time, after World War II. America's peace and freedom was the form of a true pysanka to me, because before my life had been full of fear, death and insecurity. I would like to thank the United States for giving me the chance to live freely... and a restored trust in mankind.
—Helen Badulak, Pysanky in the 21st Century
Excerpts from her book: Pysanky in the 21st Century
“Each time I sit down in front of an egg a meditation process began... My favorite motto is that my work is my meditation… time to think and work out the ongoing problems in my life.
"By sharing my knowledge, I hope to give a part of myself to the future beginner and advanced pysanky artist, young and old, male and female, and encourage that anything and everything is possible...
“Each symbol and line stands for some aspect of life; giving a pysanka as a gift brings luck and good fortune to the recipient.
“The art of Ukrainian pysanky fills us with peace and love; each line and symbol on a pysanka unites to tell a story about God's gifts and the glory of life.”
Joe Zapach recounts his first meeting with Helen Babaluk, on his website,
Spirit of the Egg, Ukrainian Pysanky as Journey and Symbol.
Shared below are a few excerpts, in his own words:
“A shared newspaper article introduced me to Helen Badulak, master pysanky artist. There pictured were eggs graced with the most delicate lines, complimentary colors, and a perfect, quiet symmetry that defines her style.
“As I read the article, I zeroed in on one sentence: ‘Before starting a pysanka, Badulak says a prayer and trusts God will guide her hand…’ I knew that eggs [pysanky] contained far more depth than I had thus far been able to bring to my own work. And in one statement she revealed what must have been the secret of her mastery.
”The trip to meet her at that first egg show was a pilgrimage. I finally worked up the resolve to speak, leaning slightly over her table of masterpieces… I asked what she prays before she starts working.
“With quiet faith… she said it was a feeling that comes, especially right before she starts. ‘It’s like there’s another hand guiding my hand… You look at some eggs and think they’re ok, but you look at others and don’t know how you did it — you got help from a higher power. And the help is given because we’re trying to bring more goodness into the world through the eggs [pysanky].’
“The hand is the link between heart and egg, the vehicle through which prayers become manifest in wax-on-shell.”
Peace Affirming Prayer
Peace fills my mind and flows through all my thoughts.
Peace fills my heart and flows through all my love.
Peace fills my soul and goodwill flows to all.
Peace fills my being and permeates all my activities.
Peace within. Peace without. Peace everywhere.
Peace in my mind. Peace in my heart. Peace in my soul.
Peace in me. Peace in my home. Peace in my country. Peace in my world.
Peace everywhere.
Amen.
Ukrainian folklore characterizes pysanky as a symbolic, talismanic writing that invokes a higher Universal Power for help, while believing with faithful certainty that It will. The contemporary version of this characterization is a paper-and-pen journaling practice called prayer writing that develops a personal relationship with God.
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