after the creation of the ukrainian state academy of arts, mykhailo organized a workshop with a school and included timofey in his staff. it was there that he began distinguishing himself as a painter; becoming especially well known for his portraits and political posters. later, his early portrayals of peasant life, painted with tempera on boards, would become his best remembered works. they reflected influences from byzantine art, icon painting a ukrainian folk art. he also provided illustrations for children's books.