A great ever growing amusement center on the Eastern Coast of the USA . Second to Las Vegas in spirit, I have enjoyed many visits here over the recent times.  

 THE BOARDWALK OF ATLANTIC CITY  

30 x 40 oil on canvas

With seagulls constantly flying overhead, one should never be surprised at unwelcome droppings. In the distance is American tycoon Donald Trump’s ornate “Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino”. This is a great looking building. With its onion-like domes it reminds me of classic Russian architecture. On the left side is the Hard Rock Café with its murals of Elvis Presley and its bustling outdoor café.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA

  One of my favourite cities. The ultimate testimonial to creativity and art in America. Having made films myself, I am passionate about cinema. And the history of Hollywood Cinema is something I have lived with since childhood. To this day, it is the classic films which  continually stimulate and inspire me.

 HOLLYWOOD ETERNAL  

36 x 48 oil on canvas

  That which is truly great is eternal. Here I wanted to pay homage to Hollywood at its finest. Although certainly many more great artists warranted inclusion, choices had to me made. In my first tribute to Hollywood I have included Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Bette Davis, Peter Lorre, Clark Gable, Erich Von Stroheim, Laurel & Hardy, Edward G. Robinson, Rudolph Valentino, Mae West, Eric Campbell, The Three Stooges, The Marx Brothers, Lon Chaney Sr. (as the Phantom of the Opera), John Wayne, Boris Karloff (as Frankenstein’s Monster), Gibson Gowland, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, the Wizard of Oz stars (Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr & Toto). I also included a small portrayal of mystical Guru George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff as a news vendor. This was done because of the heavy influence of mysticism in Hollywood circles at the time. Also within the group is the dwarf performer, Major Noble George Washington Winner who was with Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.  Incidentally, Harold Lloyd appears wearing the official Fez of the “Al Malaika” Shriners Temple , of which he served as Imperial Potentate. On the right side of the composition once can see the old Hollywood Masonic Temple. This building now serves as the studio of the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” television program.

 While Coney Island may once have been known as America ’s playground, I find that today the moniker belongs hands down to Las Vegas. Gaudy and Kitsch though it may be, I love the place. A brilliant vision that stands on its own as an icon of the times.

  Las Vegas Boulevard is huge beyond belief. With artistic license I condensed the scene to include certain landmarks. The hotel casinos Riviera, Wynn, Paris, Mirage and New York, New York. I even depicted the landmark sculpture of magicians Siegfied and Roy.

 The Casinos, the Circus, the sexy visitors on the bridge. The sun smiles down over a panorama which stretches from the MGM Casino to the Paris. Circus charechters are wonderful to paint. So similar to what I painted in Miami Beach, here too are clowns, a Bearded Lady, Magicians and a Jester carrying balloons. There is the famed P. T. Barnum discovery, the “midget” General Tom Thumb alongside his wife Lavinia Warren. Also on the bridge are two Freemasons wearing their ritual aprons.

(Below are details from "Sun Over Las Vegas")

 SUN OVER LAS VEGAS 

There is a distinctly carnival-like atmosphere to Vegas that isn't really like anyplace else. Below is a painting of Las Vegas where I allowed the spirit of merriment and amusement to guide my brush.

This particular Casino, quite literally belongs to history. With its “Surf Buffet”, it was patterned to symbolize old-time Coney Island . The Casino was recently demolished.

  OTHER RECENT PAINTINGS

CARNIVALS, CIRCUS, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, JUDAICA:

 In old Ukrainia, Russia, Belorussia or Poland it was a big day when the carnival came to town. The tents and attractions were usually set up in a part of the largest Market Place which usually was located in proximity of a Church. The townsfolk all came by to see the wonders. Some came with the intent of partaking of every single ride and amusement while others came out of mere curiosity, to only get a brief glimpse of the colourful festivities. Talk about ethnic and cultural diversity! Everyone came together at the sideshows and the markets. Peasants and gentry alike. In any given Ukrainian town, the ethnic mix would include local Ukrainian, Hassidic Jewish, (sometimes Polish and Russian residents, Czarist Police officers and Cossack Hetmans. Its funny how in today’s politics they enjoy throwing around the word “diverse”as if it is something recently discovered. That may be propaganda, but it is not reality.

 CARNIVAL SIDESHOW 

 36 x 48 oil on canvas

(details below)

CARNIVAL SIDESHOW 

Next (below) is another recently completed work dealing with the theme of a sideshow in old Ukraine.

 CARNIVAL FESTIVITIES  

36 x 48 oil on canvas

(details below)

CARNIVAL FESTIVITIES 

Below is a relatively recent portrait of a celebrated Russian circus personality of the 19th century.

“THE RUSSIAN DOG FACED MAN”  24 x 30 oil on canvas

The above work represents a man named Adrian Jeftichew who was afflicted by a condition of excessive hairiness called Hypertrichosis. A circus personality for much of his life, Jeftichew’s fame was eclipsed by his equally hairy son who was known professionally as “Jo-Jo the Dog Faced Boy”. With the collapse of the Soviet Union , by luck I recently was able to acquire transcripts from a series of interviews conducted in the 1920’s by Soviet researchers with surviving members of the extended Jefticheff family. The information I gathered debunks virtually every morsel of information about these people that has been floating around for ages (both the promotional & the researched). I plan on eventually putting this rare material to use, Perhaps in another film. In any event, what impresses me most in the hairy so-called “Freaks” like Adrian or Jo-Jo is that these individuals convey a unique dignity. They seem less like freaks and more like people who should really be no other way.

 MY WORLD OF LOVE

 The spirit of the old Slavic and Jewish traditions have been my closest language of expression. And I enjoy continuing to work in this very inspirational venue. Here are some paintings recently completed.

 “WINTER EVENING”   24 x 36 oil on canvas

(details below)

“WINTER EVENING”

The quaint, rustic villages of Russia and Ukrainia are deeply embedded within my soul.

 “CHANGING SEASONS”  16 x 20 oil on canvas

 “MARKET SQUARE”  14 x 18 oil on canvas

 “VILLAGE ACROBATS”  11 x 14 oil on canvas

 “BEFORE CHRISTMAS”  14 x 18 oil on canvas

 “SNOWFLAKES”  16 x 20 oil on canvas

“MAGICAL SUMMER FLOWERS”  24 x 30 oil on canvas

“ARRIVAL OF WINTER”  24 x 30 oil on canvas

“UKRAINIAN VILLAGE SUMMER EVENING”  11 x 14 acrylic on canvas-panel

“SERENADE: A UKRAINIAN LOVE SONG”  16 x 20 oil on canvas

 “MAGIC RAINBOW”  12 x 16 oil on canvas

SPIRITUALITY

 In the pre war world of Eastern Europe, there once were many Synagogue buildings built entirely from wood. These were truly amazing in their intricacy of architecture. Artistically speaking, these sacred buildings provide nourishment for creativity. Here I painted one such exquisite house of worship. The setting is a Ukrainian village or the outskirts of town. It is a Sabbath or holiday afternoon and worshipers have gone outside during an intermission in services. Since women were separated from men, we see a group of female attendees standing in the distance at the left. The Jewish clothing is accurate historically. The large round fur hat is known as a “Spodik”. The shorter one is the “Shtreiml”. 

 “ANCIENT WOODEN SYNAGOGUE”  24 x 30 oil on canvas

(details below)

“ANCIENT WOODEN SYNAGOGUE”

Below is my vision of an old Synagogue located in a larger city.

 “THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE”  24 x 30 oil on canvas

(details below)

“THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE”

Since childhood I felt an immediacy and sense of timelessness when reading the Holy Bible. Each biblical personality was a complex study not only in ethics and morality but also in psychology. The ongoing saga of humanity is mirrored in each biblical episode. Below is one of my Old Testament  canvases.

 “ABRAHAM SACRIFICING ISAAC”  30 x 40 oil on canvas

 This theme from the Bible I find to be highly relevant in our turbulent times. It is a great saga about love, devotion and truth. This painting was actually begun in 1973 and for some reason I never finished it. Recently I looked at the incomplete work and with a fresh sense of inspiration I went to work and completed it. My belief has always been that civilization is a revolving ball. Much progress, though both impressive and frightening does not break this revolving process. Therefore whatever happens within the human experience in our day, I can find its analogy in the Bible. And within a broader scope, in a way this is can be comforting.

 -Roussimoff

January 2008