Original artwork description:

HARACTERISTIC FEATURES:
• ✈️ Free shipping with tracking number.
• Named: “ About Safe #1”
• Origial acrylic painting on canvas board. It is not a print.
• Size: 8”8” inches. 20 x 20 cm.
• Used canvas panel, glossy varnish and acrylic paints.
• Signature at the front
• The paining is not framed
• Do not store the paintings in the room with high humidity

This painting have the story (my own experience). You can read it here:
‼️Trigger warning ‼️
#harassment #victimblaming
#mentaltrauma #bullying 👉
I was new to this place. One morning, I came onto the balcony and my neighbor (an old guy) came onto his balcony a few seconds after me. He asked me something but I was sleepy and I didn’t understand what he said, so I just smiled and came in my apartment.
The next day, I came onto the balcony again and once again, the old man came onto his balcony a few seconds after I did. He started to ask me where I’m from, etc. I answered and went to my apartment. It was really strange, I felt it. I thought he maybe was stalking me but he looked like a nice guy.

He knocked on my door a few days later. When I opened the door, he said he want to give me fresh eggs from his chickens. I said thank you, smiled, took the eggs and closed the door.
I asked my friends if I need to present something to him too, to be a nice neighbor. They said I can present sweets or fruits. I remember that my apartment owners, a married couple, gave me fruits and sweets too when I moved in so I thought it was a really good idea. I bought a few donuts and knocked on his door. His grandson answered and I asked him to give the donuts to his grandfather because he gave me eggs. He said “okay” and I went back to my apartment.

In a week, he did it again. He gave me eggs from his chicken and he asked if I’d like to drink morning coffee together in his apartment. I said thanks and closed the door. I asked my friends if it’s ok to drink morning coffee with neighbors here. They said it’s totally ok and it’s tradition, all people do it here to know their neighbors better and it will be nice if I agree. So I did and it was okay. He made coffee and talked about his life. I listened to him and tried to be a nice neighbor. I went home in 20-25 mins. I was happy I did it, though I didn’t really want to. I just wanted to be a nice neighbor.

The next morning, he came again at the same time in the morning and said “let’s go drink coffee”. I didn’t really know what to do. He looked like a nice guy. I thought maybe he felt alone and wanted to talk about his life to someone so I agreed. I felt he used my ear because he talked all time. He had tasty candies so I thought it’s good deal: I’ll eat candies and drink coffee while he talks. It was like a compromise for me to not feel used myself.

I needed to take a trip to city nearby the next morning. I knew he would come again, so I hung a piece of paper at my door with the words “I’m in the city nearby this morning, be back at the evening”. When I came back, I saw there was no piece of paper at the door. I thought it was weird.

The next morning, he knocked to my door and we went to drink coffee again. He said he took my piece of paper from the door. It was strange to me, but okay. He said he had handmade cognac and he brought it. I said that I don’t like alcohol and I would not drink. He asked if I’d like just to try. I added one drop to my coffee. He poured into his and my glass, but I did not to drink it. He said he wanted to show me his garden that was nearby. He showed me his different trees and plants. It was not bad. I went home after that.

We had coffee again the next morning. He brought cognac and I added one drop to my cup but he snatched the bottle from my hands and filled my glass to the brim with cognac. I thought that it wasn’t so bad; I can just not drink it; he won't make me drink. In 20 mins, I said I need to go home. His eyes were wet and his look became weird. I got up and went to the hallway. He followed me, he caught me like a bag of potatoes and tried to kiss me. I was shocked. I didn’t understand what happened. I thought it’s traditional here. I pulled out of his arms, went to my apartment and closed the door. I was in disbelief. A few minutes, he knocked on my door. I thought he forgot something. I opened the door, he said “I’ll always help you, you can asking me anytime and anything!“ In this moment, he went to my apartment and caught me again in his arms. It was terrible! I was really scared! He grabbed me tightly and didn't let go. He kissed my cheeks and tried to kiss my lips. It was gross. I don’t know how I pulled out of his arms, but I did it. I reached out my hand to push him away so he wouldn't come closer to me again. I said “NO!”. He said “why?”. I said “get out of my apartment, please!”. I pushed him out the door and closed it. I was trembling with fear and my hands felt cold. My heart was beating very fast. I cried.

I talked about it to my friends in the chat who live here too and I talked to my girlfriend. They were nice and supported me. Friends said I must go to the police immediately. It’s a small city and police didn’t have a lot of work, so they can help me. I was too scared. I didn’t believe they would really help, but I wanted to try. I went to the police and I couldn’t stop crying. The policeman asked me what happened, he waited until I stopped crying. I told him all about this story with old guy. The policeman looked like he supported me, I felt ok. He asked me questions and I replied. Then he understood who the old guy was. He called to another policeman who worked in my district and we waited for him. When he came to us, the policeman talked all about it to him. They asked if I wanted to make a statement, but I said I’d like if they just talked to the guy. They agreed and said that he will never touch me anymore after they talk with him. The district policeman said he needed to do some work and he will come to the guy in 30 mins and then he’ll come to me and tell me how he did. I say thanks and went home. It took about 30 mins.

When I was at home, the district policeman came within 5 mins. He knocked on the door and I let him in. He was out of breath, as if he had been running. He said he talked to the old guy and he will never bother me anymore. I said thanks and he left. I felt better. I was glad it was a good experience with police. The old guy has never bothered me to this day.

When I talked about this story in chats to other people, there was different reactions. There was misogyny and sexist reactions. It makes me angry and sad. There was several men and women, who bullied me. I know it’s important to talk about harassment and violence but they tried to shut up me and laughed at me. They said I’m liar and fake, that I myself am to blame. I don’t feel safe here. It’s a lot of supportive people here (friends, girlfriend, other victims, my apartment’s owners, police, my psychotherapist and just understanding people with empathy), but I still feel alone.

All I have is paper, canvas, and paints. I’m an artist so I tried to put my emotions to my artwork. I did it for the first time. I painted cool and beautiful pics before. Like a lot of people, I have feelings inside me and I have what I want to say. Stay safe.

Materials used:

canvas panel, glossy varnish and acrylic paints.

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