LEEDS — Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 Chris Barentz, artist and owner of Awake My Soul Studio and bARenTz Design Studio, has been visiting local businesses to paint sunflowers in honor of Ukraine for free.

“I just feel what’s happening over there is wrong and I think a lot of other people feel the same way,” said Barentz.

Barentz describes herself as a Christian artist, which influenced her to include God into her window paintings.

“I thought what better way to show my support and get my community involved by painting the national flower of Ukraine everywhere?” said Barentz.

As of last Friday, Barentz had painted approximately 12 windows across the city.

“It shows how vulnerable we really are and this could happen to us, and I think we need to stand up and show support. No matter how far away they are, they are still God’s people,” said Barentz.

She said she’s thankful for the positive support she’s received on social media. She said she’s like to expand outside of Leeds and around St. Clair County.

The best way to contact Barentz is to reach her on Facebook at her business page, Chris bARenTz Orginals.

“I’m just asking everyone to pray for them,” said Barentz.

The sunflower has been a symbol of peace throughout Ukraine’s history. In June 1996 Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons. To celebrate, the U.S., Russia and Ukraine came together and planted sunflowers at the southern Ukraine’s Pervomaysk missile base.

Sunflowers have also been a backbone to Russian and Ukrainian society, it helps fuel the economy today because they provide up to 70-80% of the world’s sunflower exports. According to a 1993 Encyclopedia of Ukraine, the flowers have been growing since the mid-18th century.