The Russian wooden doll called matryoshka. In ancient Russia the name Matryona or Matryosha was among the most common female name, delivered from the Latin root "mater", which means "mother". The name conjured up the image of a staid, sturdy family matron. Subsequently, it became a symbolic name and was specifically applied to describe painted wooden dolls fashioned in such a way that they could be taken apart to reveal smaller dolls fitting into one another. Matryoshka for long centuries is a pure symbol of motherhood and fertility. In some literature your can find mind, that matryoshka came to Russia from Japan. But Japanese claim, Russian monk made that first such dolls on their islands. In each Russian family home you usually see tens of matryoshkas. They represent Russian culture and spirit; bring luck and happiness to families. Especially kids love to play with them. Many adults and elderly people remember all their matryoshkas with a smile, with which they played in their childhood.

Each year Irene paints tens and tens of matryoshkas. They take a lot of time and patience.