Page B2
M a rc h 7,2001
(Tlie 'JJorUanò (Oh s mu» r
iT h e Focus on Art
■ M H H H R M ii
A Talented Young A rtist’s Perspective on Prom inent Black Celebrities
by C olleen L oue * P arker
American and
celebrity paint­
ings,
E d w a rd ’s
efforts to con­
tinue produc­
ing beautiful,
bold and ironic
s y m b o lis m s
represented in
his p aintings
h av e
been
som ew hat
thwarted, how­
ever, when the
compressor in
his airbrush broke. In spite o f this
obstacle, he was very interested in
producing a picture o f Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr., during the month of
January 2001, around the time o f Dr.
King’s birthday. He was motivated
enough to spend tedious hours try­
ing to repair his compressor, and he
did use it in it’s malfunctioning state.
Our readers may have noticed the
subtle inclusion o f some o f Edward
M artin’s artwork in our last issue.
Edward, a versatile young African-
American family man who currently
Urban Artist Edward Derell
Martin
resides in Illinois, is an extremely tal­
ented artist, specializing in African-
W h e n e v e r the
airbrush would
b e c o m e o v e r­
heated. he would
have to “ shut­
off” his artistic
flow, so to speak,
and se t the
airbrush aside to
cool off. After it
w o u ld
co o l
down, he began
the task again o f
doing Dr. King’s
portrait, m uster­
ing up w ith in
him self once again that artistic flow
that had been toyed with as much as
his painting tools had been. The
portrait was produced, and he was
not as satisfied as he had anticipated.
Nevertheless, he pressed onward and
completed the portrait; and after­
wards he began to work on a portrait
ofhis two little girls. In tliis issue, we
are providing samples ofhis artwork
We are hoping to showcase further
samples o f his artwork in future is­
sues o f The Portland Observer. At
the present time, Edwards mother
Mary has been battling cancer, and is
coming out on the winning side. She
support to her only son, Edward,
and his little family. Mary is a fine i
role model, and never speaks ill o f |
anyone. Those who support Ed-1
ward in his artistic endeavors are |
currently working on the construc­
tion o f a Web page featuring his
work. As a struggling artist, he is
open to accepting assignments,
based on commission. We feel that
his work is remarkable. Some ofhis
work is featured in this issue ofThe
Portland Observer. Reader’s com ­
ments or questions are welcomed,
and can be addressed to R. Parker,
r and Shapiro
Creative Director, The Portland Ob­
server. His wife, Dana, and their two
entrants for the best father contest
daughters, Jasmin and Mercedes,
sponsored by Parents Magazine in
are very happy to see Daddy coming
1998. His wife, a writer/poet, submit­
home every evening after his day in
ted a letter to the magazine listing his
the rat race. Why? Because he not
fine qualities as a husband and fa­
only manages his own retail video
ther. The magazine sent staff to the
store, bringing home special movies
Martin home, taking pictures and in­
for the little ones each weekend, but
terviewing his wife in preparation for
he was also voted 2nd best o f five
their Fathers Day edition.
Michael Jordan
is a businesswoman, owns her own
beauty salon, and is an active mem­
ber o f her church in Rock Island,
Illinois. She is a true giver, providing
continuous emotional and spiritual
Young Artist Garners Celebrity Attention
Portland Artist’s Works Ex-
elusive to Yoshida’s Fine Art
Gallery
Continu ing their tradition of sup­
porting the local up-and-coming
artist, Yoshida’s Fine Art Gallery
is currently featuring the unique
landscape oil paintings of 17-year-
old artist, Dm itry Leontyuk.
Leontyuk, an immigrant o f the
Ukraine, is quickly earning recog­
nition in the Northwest among art
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courses, his language skills im­
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Leontyuk developed a close rela­
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he took interest in painting.
Biggs encouraged Leontyu, by
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tion o f paints, brushes, assorted
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n atu ral tale n t w as in stan tly
apparent,a nd his languageclasses
evolved into art lessons. His first
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purchased his acrylics and oil
paintings as quickly as he com­
pleted them.
Leontyuk prefers painting the
outdoors, and living in Oregon
provides the perfect, nature-fi lied
environment. “I love watching the
clouds, their shapes and different
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4 ri oil painting by D mitry Leontyuk called "Prelude. '
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collectors and celebrities includ­
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The third child in a family of
nine boys, was bom on May 20,
1983 in the Ukraine.
Leontyuk’s family moved to
Oregon in 1993, following rela­
tives who had discovered a better
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reflected his struggle.
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colors at different times o f the
day or year,” he said.
“I just sit and think how shad­
ows fall differently across the
ground as the sun moves across
the sky.” “In fact," he continued
“I’m always amazed at new pos­
sibilities and new ways to use
color,a nd find myself anxious to
complete each painting so that I
can create another o ne.. .and an­
other one.”
Yoshida ’ s Fine Gallery, located
at 411 E. Historic Columbia River
Hwy in Troutdale has a year-
round display o f Leontyuk’s art­
work. Their gallery hours are
Monday through Saturady from
10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sundays
from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more
in fo rm a tio n , call K ristin a
McMorris at 503/872-8485.
Happy
2nd
Birthday
A
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