Tak! Ukraine

David Draime · 02-19-2005, 06:44 PM

My first portrait in color!!

OK, I guess I should explain. In December I had the great honor of serving as one of the many international election observers in Ukraine for the historic presidential election "revote" (the original election on Nov. 21 was, after massive street protests, declared invalid by Ukraine's Supreme Court because of fraud). When I arrived in Kiev the city was awash in orange - it was the height of the "Orange Revolution." Orange scarves, orange hats, coats...it seemed every car had something orange attached to it, ribbons, bumper stickers, etc. It is still amazing to me how a simple color (a secondary color no less!) can come to represent the aspirations of a whole people; that it can be invested with such meaning - political, moral, even spiritual.

After a few days of orientation in Kiev, I was sent west to the Carpathian mountain region to observe at 4 or 5 local precincts. The people there are incredible. Especially the older people. They have suffered so much in their lives, but they are survivors and it shows on their faces. They are also extremely kind, generous and hospitable. Many of the people in this region are of the Hutsul ethnic minority. They are basically a poor, but proud mountain people with their own distinct culture, traditions, dress, etc. And they have a wicked sense of humor. I came to love these people.

I took a quick photo of this man the day after the election at a local market. He has an incredible face but, unfortunately, it wasn't a great reference - shot at noon on an overcast day. I tried to make the most of it. The idea to add the orange scarf (which was orange) came about halfway through the drawing. I'm not sure what I'll do with this drawing - I guess it really only has resonance if you're Ukrainian. Otherwise it's probably like: Huh?

At any rate, when I get my new Nikon D-70, I can't wait to go back there and get tons of better reference material, with proper lighting.

Chris Saper · 02-19-2005, 07:03 PM

Dear David,

What an amazing tale, and what a fabulous portrait! The design is marvelous, and I think the orange scarf is just perfect.

Your modeling is so very sensitive, and your character compelling.

PS Tak?

Carlos Ygoa · 02-19-2005, 07:23 PM

David,

I don't think that one has to be Ukrainian for this to have resonance. This old man's face is everywhere, just the features that change but the face is the same all over the world.

Outstanding work! Excellent drawing...you have handled a full front pose in a way that is captivating. Congratulations!

Carlos

Richard Monro · 02-19-2005, 07:50 PM

Wow! This was masterfully done. I had to look closely to see if I wasn't looking at the reference photo that had been touched up with a little orange. The touch of orange and the story behind it adds a wonderful accent. What medium did you use...colored pencil, pen? Talk about raising the bar on drawing skills.

Garth Herrick · 02-19-2005, 08:48 PM

David,

Believe me, this portrait RESONATES! What a fabulous and sensitive drawing. The orange fits in especially well. You really have raised the bar.

Garth

Mike McCarty · 02-19-2005, 08:51 PM

Great job David. The orange is nicely done regardless. I hope you will be able to get a copy back to the subject.

David Draime · 02-19-2005, 09:37 PM

Thank you, Chris, for your generous remarks. "Tak" in Ukrainian simply means "Yes." This was the slogan of the opposition's campaign.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlos Ygoa

David, I don't think that one has to be Ukrainian for this to have resonance. This old man's face is everywhere, just the features that change but the face is the same all over the world. Carlos

Carlos, thank you very much. I've been thinking about what you said. While I was there, I asked myself why did all these faces seem different, and why was I so attracted to them? - that I wanted to draw or paint nearly everyone I saw, certainly the older people I saw. I haven't felt that nearly as much here in the US. Are they really any different than old people here in Southern California, or anywhere for that matter? I'm thinking that context has everything to do with it. It may be something as simple as a scarf on an elderly woman, or the kind of Russian fur hats that are worn there. And that kind of cultural reference is something that's easily translatable - and even becomes pronounced - in a drawing or painting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Monro

What medium did you use...colored pencil, pen?

Thanks Richard. The materials are the same as most of my other drawings - charcoal pencils with white chalk highlights on tinted paper. The orange was done with just an orange pastel pencil.

Thank you so much Garth. To be honest, I was thinking about not posting this one because, frankly, I was sick of looking at it. I started this one before my last post ('Abdu'l-Baha profile) and I was kind of working in a way I wanted to move beyond. It was all I could do to finish this one. Everything but the face was extremely tedious for me - especially the zipper! And it was taking SO long...and the reference wasn't great, etc. But I thought of something Mike McCarty wrote somewhere to someone - that having started a project, we owe it to ourselves to see it through, not to give up. Now I'm glad I didn't give up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

I hope you will be able to get a copy back to the subject.

I suppose it's possible, six degrees of separation an' all (I didn't get his name or number). I'm now thinking of making some giclees of this to sell - to some of the Ukrainian folks here, or when I go back to Ukraine - though in western Ukraine I suppose the most I could get for them would be a few kopeks and a bit of goat cheese.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-19-2005, 10:48 PM

Well David I think you should be blessed in two ways;

1 - witnessing such an incredible event and helping them make it happen. (Our friend's oldest son was one of the 34 killed in Iraq on election day.)

2 - knowing it is this caliber of work that you can produce with reference you consider not the best!

Wow! Your work always has such heart, I enjoy it immensely!

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-19-2005, 11:54 PM

David, once again, incredible job. It is very sincere and he has a ton of character. I would then assume your redition is far superior to the reference, because he is breathing. Any second you're going to see the mist from his breath from the intense cold. He looks like he's a bit hunched, in a manner of protecting himself from the cold.

In other words, you've done a great job telling a story thru a drawing. Maybe it's good you did'nt have a good reference.

Linda Brandon · 02-20-2005, 02:31 AM

Hi David,

This is such an intense and wonderfully drawn portrait. Your technique is beautiful and from what I've seen of your work, I think that you have a real "eye" for powerful images. This is a true gift. I also love the orange here. 'Spaceba' for posting this.