Tak! Ukraine

Sharon Knettell · 02-22-2005, 10:01 AM

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 · 02-22-2005, 10:23 AM

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 · 02-22-2005, 12:54 PM

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.

Quote:

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.

Mike McCarty · 02-22-2005, 01:30 PM

David,

I have a very distinct memory of an old Russian man much like the one you show here. Years ago myself and other teenagers were riding a train from Moscow to Leningrad. Some in my group were playing guitars and bongo drums trying to pass the time. I still remember that I was reading the "The Lord of the Rings," and my friend was reading "The Exorcist." The train seemed very old and the black soot from it's stack would come blowing in through the open windows.

We were approached by an old man who asked if anyone knew the tune "Hello Dolly." This old toothless Russian man gave us "Hello Dolly" in his best Luis "Sachmo" Armstrong imitation. These sorts of images are difficult to shake.

David Draime · 02-22-2005, 03:05 PM

Mike,

Was this the guy? I went out with the officials who had the "mobile" ballot box - taking it into people's homes - so voters who were old or infirm could vote. This toothless guy, as soon as he dropped his ballot in the box, launched into a rousing rendition of, what I assumed, was some old patriotic song....(or - I don't know, maybe it was Hello Dolly!) Thing is, he wouldn't stop. We politely said our goodbyes, left his house, walked through his gate, over to the next house... we could still hear him singing.

Your story is great! Sounds like you were there during Soviet times? - unless you're still in your twenties! Wow! you were a pioneer. I'd love to hear more of your adventures. I live for these memories - they are priceless.

Mike McCarty · 02-22-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Was this the guy?

Yes, that's him!

Quote:

Your story is great! Sounds like you were there during Soviet times? - unless you're still in your twenties!

I am easily divisible by twenty.

It was the height of the cold war. Upon arrival we were detained and interrogated at the airport for three hours with threats that we were bringing contraband into the country. We were carrying LP records that they confiscated. What they really wanted were our jeans and our books. Because of this flap they canceled our outing to the Bolshoi ballet and other scheduled items. We were, however, able to see Swan Lake in Leningrad (I think Leningrad has had a name change again, back to Saint Petersburg).

One of the spookiest moments for me came while on a bus ride out of Leningrad to the Czar's palace on the gulf of Finland. I tried always to sit near the interpreter which was at the front of the bus near the driver. Through the interpreter I learned that this bus driver had lost his entire family (nine as I recall) during the German 900 day siege of Leningrad. I had never been near anyone that had experienced so much grief. It was a chilling moment for a mostly protected naive kid.

David Draime · 02-22-2005, 04:43 PM

Amazing! I tell all my students that they must travel abroad. Certainly has a way of opening up one's eyes (mind).

So I guess you're no longer a protected, naive kid.