Last week, Ukrainian artist Snezhana Soosh's poignant illustrations of a father-daughter relationship went viral. Now the illustrator has spoken about how her artwork is influenced by her relationship with her own dad.

“I always wanted to have a tender and loving relationship with my own father, but he didn’t know how to show his love so most of the time was distant and cold,” Soosh told The Huffington Post. “I was observing other fathers with their daughters and so loved each tender moment they had together. I think I drew what I lacked and very much wanted - to feel loved and protected by my big papa.”

Soosh's watercolour paintings, which she posts on her Instagram feed, depict a bearded, bearlike man taking care of his tiny daughter: carrying her on his shoulders, playing games, and sitting with her as she falls asleep.

“I drew what I lacked”: illustrator depicts the relationship she wishes she had with her father