Tak! Ukraine

[Linda Brandon]

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.

[Allan Rahbek]

David,
Every painting is a self portrait. You may have had a poor reference, but you have made a rich painting.

Allan

[David Draime]

Thanks Elizabeth. I'm so sorry to hear of your friend's tragic loss. It goes to show how interconnected we all are, and just how devastating it is for so many people, when a loved one is taken away by this mindless violence.

Elizabeth, I really do feel blessed. Those two weeks in December are two weeks I shall never forget. Standing in the middle of Independance Square in Kiev, New Years eve, shoulder to shoulder with half a million people in the freezing cold, listening to (now President) Yuschenko addressing the crowd, congratulating them on their victory, praising them for their courage and determination in standing up for their democratic rights.....at that moment there was no place on earth I'd rather be. At midnight, we all watched the most spectacular fireworks display, and at that moment - 30 seconds after midnight - it started to snow. Perfect.

Jimmie, thanks for your encouraging words. I think what saved this drawing was the man's face and his expression. Up until the day I took this picture (two days before I was to leave) I was hesitant to ask people for a photo - I didn't want to offend or be rude. But that day I found out that they enjoy having their picture taken. I think they feel honored somehow. And they loved it when I showed them the pic on my camera's little LCD. I can't wait to go back.

Linda, Pazhalooysta!! Or, I guess I should say: Budlaska!! (Ukrainian) Do you speak Russian?

Originally Posted by Allan Rahbek

David,
Every painting is a self portrait. Allan

Allan, that is so true, and sometimes, literally. When my students (high school) do portraits of each other, it's amazing how, in many instances, it looks more like themselves than their subject....but I guess in this case, I hope it's not true literally!

Marvin, thank you so much for your kind feedback. You know, I'm already dreaming and scheming of building a summer home/studio (dacha!) in the Carpathian mountains. I'll never run out of inspiration there. The great thing about what we do is we can do it anywhere!

[Terri Ficenec]

David, this is so rich a portrait on several levels. I love the effect of that touch of orange. Poignant!

[Sharon Knettell]

I quess being of partly Ukrainian heritage, this time in the Ukraine has special meaning for me.

I remember when I was very little my grandmother spitting on the television screen when various Russian leaders would appear.

This painting is an elegant and beautifully designed testimonial to the endurance of this talented people.

[Patricia Joyce]

I don't know what I could say that hasn't already been expressed. But, this is a very intense portrait. The viewer does see him breath and feel and think. Your handling of the medium is so excellent. You really captured spirit, which, to me is the heart of portraiture!

[David Draime]

Thanks so much Terri, Sharon, Patricia!

Sharon, That's so interesting. I myself have no family connection to Ukraine, but somehow I really have an affinity for the place and the people.... (my grandfather was a naval attache and got sent to live in Moscow - with his family - in the early 1950's!!...he saw Stalin). I just picture your grandmother spitting on the television screen. Ha!! What an image!! Priceless.

Originally Posted by Patricia Joyce

You really captured spirit, which, to me is the heart of portraiture!

I hope you're right. I totally agree - for me, it's what doing portraits is all about.

[Marvin Mattelson]

Beautiful and sensitively done. You've considered your subject with reverence and it shows.