Language English | Genre Realism | |
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Born Rossen Raytchev RaykovMarch 23, 1964Russe, Bulgaria ( 1964-03-23 ) Occupation Portrait Artist, Sculpture, Public Speaker Spouse Ava Rossin (1990– Present) | ||
Ross R Rossin (Rossen Raytchev Raykov) is a Bulgarian-American portrait artist known for his large-scale, realist portraits of modern and historical figures. Born on March 23, 1964 in Russe, Bulgaria, located near the Danube River, Rossin began painting at the age of six. By twelve years old, he was introduced to oil painting techniques in local masters' studios.
Contents
- Early life and training
- Overseas
- United States
- Rossin and Rotary
- Personal life
- Other notable works
- Exhibitions
- References
In 2001, he moved his family to the United States where he completed some of his most noted works.
Early life and training
Rossin, the first of two children, was the son of Didi Raykova, a librarian, and Raicho Raykov, a local electrician in Russe, Bulgaria. His hometown near the Danube River, an international waterway, exposed young Rossin to the best artistry and talent Europe had to offer. At twelve years old, Rossin was inspired by art work transported down the Danube to become a professional artist, and began formal instruction on oil painting techniques. Rossin began advanced training at the National School of Fine Arts', “Ilia Petrov", five year boarding program in the country’s capital, Sofia. He then went on to attend the National Academy of Arts and graduated after six years cum laude with a Master of Arts degree.
At nineteen years of age he was a member of the Union of Bulgarian Artists - a creative non-profit association of professional artists and art critics.
Overseas
Rossin worked on a five month rotation in Japan during the first few years of his postgraduate professional career. During this time he completed over five hundred portraits and traveled throughout Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Marioka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Chiba, Hakodate and Himeji. He was commissioned for portraits for both business leaders and political figures. He later moved back to the European market, painting both commissions and personal exhibitions in France, England, Germany, Belgium, Greece, and his native Bulgaria. During this period, his most noted works include the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Lebanese Patriarch (which now hangs in the Vatican).
United States
In 1999, Rossin began exhibiting his work in the United States. Spring of 2001 Rossin began working with his current business partner, Karen Hudson, and the two developed Portrait Partners Inc. Rossin, his wife, and young son moved to Atlanta, GA on a permanent basis that fall. In 2010, Rossin became United States citizen.
Once in the United States, Rossin has focused his professional work on both contemporary and traditional portraits. Rossin’s masterpiece, "A Meeting in Time” was unveiled at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. The 13 foot tall by thirty foot wide piece depicts the presidents of the 20th century gathered in the cross hall of the White House. “American Royalty” is Rossin’s private collection which depicts his personal artistic re-invention. The large scale portraits in this collection include Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy and Babe Ruth.
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery acquired Rossin’s portrait of Ambassador Andrew Young on May 3, 2010 for the permanent collection. Rossin's portrait of Morgan Freeman is also displayed in the gallery as of November, 2013. Rossin’s portrait of Hank Aaron was acquired by National Portrait Gallery in the Spring of 2014.
Shortly before the passing of the famed American poet, Maya Angelou, she, among a close group of friends, gathered to celebrate her 86th birthday at the National Portrait Gallery. The event debuted the poet’s portrait by Rossin which joined the National Portrait Gallery's display on June 12, 2014. Rossin's portrait of Maya Angelou was featured on a memorial stamp by the United States Postal Service. The First-Day-of-Issue stamp dedication ceremony was April 7, 2015 with Postmaster General Megan Brennan joined by Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Ambassador Andrew Young and other notables.
Rossin and Rotary
Rossin was introduced to Rotary International during his time in Japan. He later joined the Sofia Rotary Club in 1998. After moving to the US in 2001, he joined the Rotary Club of Atlanta. During his time as a member, Rossin painted a large scale portrait of Rotary's founder Paul Harris. The portrait was auctioned off and collected $170,500 for the Rotary Foundation's Polio Plus Campaign. Today, this portrait hangs in Rotary International Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois. Rossin has been named a Polio Free World Hero.
Personal life
In 1983, Rossin was a senior at the National School of Fine Arts “Ilia Petrov" in Sofia, when he met his future wife, Ava. Seven years later the two would marry on December 15, 1990. Ava has traveled extensively with Rossin for exhibit tours and portrait commissions world wide. The two welcomed their first son, Michael in 1999, and their daughter, Savannah, in 2005.