Romanov Children as Muse

Since I started painting Romanovs in late 2009, I kept a photographic record of the process. I have rarely painted seriously in a 45 year art career...I was a ceramic artist. So when I felt the urge to paint Romanovs, I decided to record it since I had no idea of it would work out. Well it has worked out pretty well. And I now discover I love painting and I love painting Romanovs.

It's a powerful experience to bring these young people back into being and in color even if it's just with paint. I have been interested on and off in the Russian Royal family for 40 years. But what captured my heart and always will, is their example of grace under fire during the 16 months of their ever worsening captivity after the Russian revolution. The more I learn of this period of their lives, the more I admire them.

I made two videos of the process The first one for the 36x26 inch painting of Olga & Tatiana Nikolaevna in their WW1 nurses uniforms.



I then painted a smaller, 9x12 painting of the third daughter , Maria Nikolaevna. Also known as Marie and "Mashka"



I am currently working on Anastasia's portrait and then will do Alexis.