Rossin has just returned from Bulgaria where he was recently honored by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov with an honorary medal of merit. Parvanov presented Rossin the medal in the National Coat of Arms Hall. A native of Bulgaria, Rossin donated his portrait of Vasil Levski to the Presidency of the Republic of Bulgaria. The portrait now hangs next to the National Coat of Arms. Rossin’s wife and children accompanied him to the ceremony.

Previously President Parvanov had met with Rossin at his studio in Sofia. “The President learned about me being in the country and came to visit me in the studio,” said Rossin. Rossin’s other studio is in Atlanta. Parvanov was elected President of Bulgaria in November 2001.

Vasil Levski (1837 – 1873) was a Bulgarian revolutionary and national hero. Levski’s democratic ideologies helped liberate Bulgaria from the Ottoman empire. Levski
was captured and executed by the Ottoman authorities.

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Can you believe the greatest home run hitter of all-time was in Rossin’s studio?! That’s right, Hank Aaron visited Rossin’s studio recently. The portrait will be more than fitting for someone of hammerin’ Hank’s magnitude.

Fans of the website will also see that we have made some minor cosmetic changes recently. Thanks to Behrouz our webmaster for the changes!

On March 31, Rossin and Father William Maestri’s illustrated volume of New Testament-inspired poetry, “Who’s Calling?…” was reviewed by the Northside Neighbor (read the article)

As an artist I do believe that an image is worth a thousand words. But what makes an image, a portrait better than another? Where do we find a distinct difference? The physical likeness is naturally important. Capturing the character of the sitter is, of course, essential. In my work, however, the likeness is not the objective. This is merely the starting point of my journey into one’s psyche.

While working on Mrs. Sullivan’s portrait, I almost immediately recognized the distinct aspects of her character: a person of integrity, personal charm, self-confidence, remarkable presence.

But I felt there is something more than this. There was something that I needed to find and bring to the surface. And that quality was her kindness. Even more, a special type of kindness. I would call it a confident kindness…one that provokes the best in you and demands nothing less than the very best. Another name for this confident kindness is simply “class”.

That was my ultimate artistic find, that was my “certain something” about Mrs. Sullivan’s image. It was the element of distinction… Class. It’s not something to be learned, bought or achieved – you are simply born with it.

In my artistic dream I see the future generations looking upon Mrs. Sullivan’s portrait and recognizing and appreciating the meaning of the word.

Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan, for the rare chance to get to know you and and the honor of doing your portrait.

Seth Hopkins, Director of the Booth Western Art Museum, introduced Rossin, who took the opportunity to speak a bit about his interest in art which began at the age of six in his native Bulgaria. Rossin assisted several famous portrait artists in their studios when he was just nine years old and it was at this point that he knew he wanted to become a portrait artist.

The painting, completed in 2004, took four years to complete. A tremendous amount of research was needed to learn about each of the 18 presidents, from McKinley to Clinton. All but four of the men were actually painted from photographs; Rossin used models for the others’ bodies as each man’s position was well thought out before the painting was executed. For example, President Gerald Ford, a noted football star from his college days, is posed with folded arms and stiff shoulders and President Roosevelt is tight-fisted and seated, although seemingly ready to jump out of his chair and move on to his next task. President Kennedy is standing with his hand half-way in his suitcoat pocket…a rare, almost abnormal pose for anyone, but knowing that Kennedy suffered from severe back pain, this pose makes good sense.

Rossin met with President George Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush in 2003 when his portrait of both President Bushes was unveiled at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. When they graciously agreed to review the sketch of the presidential painting, President Bush advised Rossin to change FDR, who he had in a wheelchair, to being seated in a bench. President Bush explained that “out of the literally thousands of pictures of FDR, in only a handful was he in a wheelchair. “ Obviously, FDR, preferred to not bring attention to the effects of polio that he contracted while on a Boy Scout trip. Barbara Bush suggested that President Nixon’s suit coat to be buttoned. “In all the times I met him,” said Mrs. Bush, “he never had his jacket unbuttoned.”

Rossin further explained his presidential painting as one not just of the 18 gentlemen, but also a depiction of the institution of presidency itself. He states that it is equally important to see what is NOT in the group….no dictators, no kings and no tyrants. When each four year term was over, all of the presidents left with neither resistance nor military force from their successors. Isn’t it wonderful to hear the perspective from Rossin, an outsider, who was born and raised in a communist country and admires the US presidency?

I am looking for the people’s Jackie and I want to make her mine.

I am trying to commune with her elegant spirit and I find myself lost in her magic.

I am looking for answers and I find myself enchanted by her mystery.

I’ve heard about the “everyman’s goddess,” as close to perfection as very few have ever been.

I am looking for that regal brunette and I find a woman of keen intelligence.

Her face has the “certain something.” One can see the glow coming from within.

Jackie’s face has an air of mystery – never revealing her personal feelings and successfully hiding her private pain from the viewer.

There is something very special in her appearance.

Her eyes ….The way she looks at me.

There is something extremely compelling about her gaze. One feels that time has stopped. What a presence.

Her eyes are inviting me closer, yet remain distant. I almost see her pain but I will never understand it. Simply because Jackie wants it that way.

Her slightly lifted eyebrows betray her curiosity and intelligence. Focused curiosity, that is. Right to the point%u2026Not everybody is included.

The surface of her has this almost visible patina of sophistication that not every woman can claim. Porcelain perfect, both fragile and strong. Every inch of Jackie’s face conveys understated elegance. The aristocratic cheekbones graciously shape the image.

Seemingly ignoring everything and everyone, her intense gaze is almost impossible to bear.

For a brief, shining moment the viewer has her attention. Her full attention. And that’s a lot. Even her nostrils are somewhat widened.

And her lips%u2026So sensual and confident. Their silhouette is exquisitely beautiful. Her mouth is slightly opened – I can sense her breath.

She is not saying anything; she is actually listening with great intensity. What an homor! Do I have anything important to say? How do you entertain a queen? You only have her attention for few seconds. Those few seconds, however, are pure bliss.

Referring to John Kennedy’s presidency she once said: “For one brief shining moment, there was Camelot” %u2026Anything you say, Jackie. One thing is for sure – once there true American Realty. And that was you.

I am looking for the ultimate Jackie.

I have met a determined lady with a strong sense of clear purpose. An extraordinary person with the ability to withstand the most painful episodes and not break apart.

I have met Jackie O. – the prize jewel.

I barely survived her wide-set eyes beaming at me Because I wanted to paint her at her most appealing self.

She has allowed me to get closer. On her own terms. I felt thankful and privileged.

I press my ear against the canvas and then close my eyes. Her voice is so soft and gentle, somehow sweet%u2026I am asking her, “Is it possible to depict the ultimate Jackie? Is it possible to actually meet you in person?”

And she would whisper back, “Of course, it could be done….”

Even more, each character represents a certain aspect of the bigger picture – the essence of the American Spirit.

Together, they portray the American soul as a far more complicated mechanism, in its many aspect and diversity. Always unique and somewhat unpredictable.

It is a journey into the American psyche.

It is definitely not a slideshow of celebrities. Nor is it a portrait gallery of “Who’s Who.”

The American Spirit is free, original, complex, dramatic, controversial….

These characters, including Lincoln, Washington, Jackie Kennedy, Marlon Brando, Britney Spears, an inspiring woman named Jessica, and paintings of genuine American iconic objects – Barbie, Cowboy Boots, and Coke Zero, all inhabit a special place where time does not exist. Their energy transcends not only their reality but all types of limits or standard categories.

The American Royalty Collection is not a sightseeing tour. I see it as in intellectual journey.

It’s a mission to bring to the surface the rich and exciting nature of the American identity.

More from the American Royalty Collection.

Long a leading name in the world of art, his truly striking study of Abraham Lincoln, discussed in a Newsmax Magazine February 2009 cover story, is in fact a beautiful and awe-inspiring case in point. “I wanted to go beyond the well-known image and take a journey into his psyche,” relates Rossin in the Newsmax article. And how Rossin has succeeded in doing just that! The stunning effect of paint and canvas so expertly rallied to a noble cause — is something which astonishes with its powerful, and yet subtle, grandeur.

Rossin’s portrait of Lincoln could pass for an authentic color photograph — if any mere camera lens was capable of capturing life as remarkably as is accomplished on this lucky square of canvas. “What was truly striking for me,” Rossin says, “is Lincoln’s gaze — both calming and provocative.”

And perhaps of some curiosity is the fact that so many of the most wonderful character studies which top professional portrait artists produce in the course of a season’s work come from commissions involving everyday people. Of course, the artist sees so much more in a face than many of the rest of us. And that’s why Rossin, for instance, was selected to paint the official portraits of both President Bushes and a slew of other leading figures in both the public and private sectors.

Can one ever tire of bringing to canvas the essence of human character and personality? Perhaps that, like Paris — is something one grows tired of only when one is tired of life itself.

For portrait artist Rossin, that clearly is not the case.