Twin sisters who fled Ukraine during Russia’s invasion are finding a new beginning in Arborg, using their art as both a bridge to their past and a way to imagine their future. For Leeza Bochko and her twin sister Alisa, both 19, painting and digital illustration are more than hobbies — they are tools of survival, storytelling, and connection.
Their journey to Canada was not the first time the sisters were uprooted. Born in Crimea in 2006, Leeza and Alisa spent their early childhood in Kerch, a port city on the Black Sea. When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, their family was forced to abandon everything they had and resettle in Irpin, near Kyiv.
“We had to start from scratch after Crimea,” Leeza recalled. “But at least we were still in Ukraine, and we made a new home there.”
That new beginning lasted eight years. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Irpin quickly became one of the front lines. Families were evacuated as Ukrainian forces blew up bridges to slow the advance of Russian troops.
The Bochkos packed what they could, with Leeza’s father driving the family westward to Vinnytsia, hoping the fighting would subside. But it soon became clear they could not return.
“It was heartbreaking to leave everything again, not knowing if we would ever see our home or friends,” Leeza said.
Through a family friend, the Bochkos connected with Gerald and Beverly Huebner, of Arborg who offered to help them relocate to Canada. But the process of applying for visas and securing paperwork was slow.
In the meantime, Leeza, Alisa, and their mother stayed in Bannewitz, near Dresden, Germany, with the support of a German family who welcomed them into their home.
“The people in Germany were incredibly kind,” Leeza said. “Their neighbourhood helped us with everything while we waited for our documents.”
When approval finally came, the Huebners purchased the family’s plane tickets. After nine hours in the air, the sisters landed in Manitoba on June 15, 2022 — exhausted, nervous, but relieved to finally be safe.
The challenge of starting over
Safety, however, did not erase the challenges of resettlement. The language barrier was immediate.
“I couldn’t form a sentence in English at first,” Leeza admitted. “Alisa was better at it, which helped us survive that first year.”
Support poured in from the local community. The Morweena church helped with finances, while the Huebners arranged housing and work. Cindy Genik, a community volunteer in Arborg, provided food and clothing to dozens of Ukrainian families who had just arrived.
“Sometimes it feels unbelievable how many people were willing to share and help,” Leeza said. “Even though we came from another country, couldn’t speak the language, and didn’t know anyone, they welcomed us anyway.”
A passion for art
Art has been central to Leeza’s life since childhood. She studied at School No. 12 in Irpin while also taking lessons with art teacher Tatyana Ivanova, who introduced her to techniques and cultural motifs that would shape her later work.
“My sister was always praised for her drawings, so I wanted to keep up,” Leeza said with a laugh. “That’s how it started.”
By age nine, she was inspired by short animated clips circulating online, often made by Western artists. The playful characters and simple storylines sparked her dream of becoming an animator.
“I realized I wanted to tell stories through art, not just pictures but moving images,” she said.
Today, Leeza works across multiple mediums — pencil, watercolour, gouache, oil, acrylic, and digital art using an iPad. She once used professional software like Adobe Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint in Ukraine, but now relies on Procreate for illustration and Toon Squid for animation.
Alisa has her own distinct style, which she has not yet shared widely, though the sisters often inspire each other’s creativity.
While art began as a childhood passion, the invasion gave it new urgency. Leeza began creating pieces that reflected the war: the destruction of cities, the suffering of families, the loss of children.
“My art became a way to speak about what was happening in Ukraine,” she explained. “It’s how I process the pain, but also how I make sure people don’t forget.”
Her recent works combine awareness and personal therapy, portraying drones and missiles haunting nighttime skies, families separated by occupation, and the quiet dignity of soldiers and civilians.
“Kids losing their lives, parents losing children, families losing homes — it all needs to be told,” she said. “Art is my way of telling it.”
Looking ahead
For now, Leeza works at the Blue Crescent Hotel in housekeeping, occasionally stepping into a supervisory role. But her dream is to study fine arts at the University of Manitoba, then move into storyboard animation. She hopes one day to join studios like Sony Pictures Animation, DreamWorks, or Flying Bark Productions.
“I’d love to work with artists like Alex Hirsch,” she said, naming the creator of the animated series Gravity Falls. “That would be my dream job.”
The Bochko sisters are waiting for study permits from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. If approved, they plan to attend university. If not, they will continue working and building their artistic presence in Manitoba.
They are open to commissions, art shows, and other opportunities to share their work. Leeza hopes community members who appreciate art will consider supporting them, whether by purchasing pieces, spreading the word, or helping with tuition.
“Every small act of kindness helps,” Leeza said. “We’re so grateful to everyone who already has.”
A broader story
The Bochko twins’ journey is part of a larger story of displacement and resilience. Since 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have resettled in Canada, with Manitoba welcoming several thousand. Community groups, churches, and volunteers across the province have helped provide housing, jobs, language classes, and cultural support.
Local organizations say stories like Leeza’s and Alisa’s highlight both the challenges and contributions of newcomers. They bring new skills, perspectives, and cultural richness — but they also remind Canadians that the war is far from over.
For Leeza, the mission is simple: to create, to belong, and to give back to the community that welcomed her.
“Canada is a safe place to rebuild,” she said. “But we don’t want people to forget what is happening back home. Our dream is to create, to contribute, and to live in peace.”
If anyone is interested in commission the girls for work please contact them through email: Leeza at hlyupa.commisions@gmail.com and Alisa at order.artbochko@gmail.com
