Book Credit
Poetry, photography, art, and writing featured in the book is by Sophia Popovski. Edited by Sophia’s mother, Anastasia Osling. Bio by Sophia’s sister, Paulina Popovskaia.
Design Credit
The book is designed by a young Brazilian illustrator, Luísa Guarnieri, who channeled Sophia’s creativity in a fun diary splashed with whimsical texture and color. Video, "If I Ever" - editing and motion design by Léo Passeti. Book footage by Léo Passeti & Luísa Guarnieri.
Light
Light, a collection of poetry, artwork, diary entries, and photography by the young Sophia Popovski, offers a glimpse into her unique spirit, talents, and dreams.
Celebrate upcoming poetry month and Sophia’s birthday with a special offer! Throughout April, get your copy of a powerful book, Light, at a discounted price. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of Sophia’s creative journey.
Inspiration
Light is a comfort for anyone who is going through tough times. This is a book about joy, laughter and love in the midst of cancer, loss, and grief. This book is about making sense of it all, and not taking life too seriously, either.
Having been diagnosed with brain cancer at eleven years old, Sophia’s mobility was greatly reduced, keeping her close to home. Sophia went through her teenage years undergoing aggressive treatments, surgeries, and short remissions that gave us hope. She had to relearn how to walk, how to write, and how to live.
Along the way, Sophia had ups and downs, with laughter and tears, anger and joy. But what was always present was her kindness and unconditional love for humanity, animals, and the environment.
Sophia’s health did not restrict her imagination or vision. The beauty she captured in her poetry and photographs is a beauty available to anyone with a powerful desire to find it. She wrote with her heart on her sleeve.
“…Fighting with cancer was a colossal hardship for me, as I battled, and still battle, many of its levels. However, I was changed largely as a person by this experience too and, without it, I would not be the person I am today. As a result, I believe that, while not all suffering that comes with hardships is necessary, hardship is inevitable part of life. To truly build one’s life, hardship can sometimes be as imperative as good times.”
– Sophia, 15 years old. c. 2009
SOPHIA POPOVSKI
Poetry
I go about my life
Like any other person
But in the same way differently
I’m not normal
At any time
Words collect themselves
Like a swarm of bees
Inside my head
Pretty soon
I can do nothing but heave
Hands forced to pencil
Creative Explosion
A poem
SOPHIA POPOVSKI
Photography
In 2007, at the age of 13 she began studying photography with David Kurtz through an organization called CoachArt. Sophia and David were preparing for a photo exhibit of their joint work. In David’s words, “Sophia found her own style: vivid beauty among banality. She was a young photographer captivated by color. Her work bursts with rich, saturated hues and curious graduations. Constantly exploring new ways to see her world, Sophia was often spotted kneeling by the reflection in a pothole puddle or fixated on some overlooked item of daily life, dazzled by a play of light or composition.”
Sophia didn’t get a chance to see her photo exhibit. That took place a few weeks after her passing. Her art photography is a big part of this book. The photos that are not featured in the book will be posted on this website.
Book Reading EVENTS
Events
Date: September 21st, 2023
Location: The Last Bookstore, 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
The book reading took place in one of the best LA bookstores. Sophia’s family and friends took turns to read Sophia’s poems and share stories about Sophia and her love people, art and life.
More events coming up…