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Official Portrait of President George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States of America, by portrait artist Igor V. Babailov. Collection: George W. Bush Presidential Library, Dallas, TX. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits President George W. Bush 43rd President of the United States of America Portrait of President George W. Bush (30"x30", oil on canvas), officially commissioned to Igor Babailov on the occasion and on behalf of the G8 Summit, 2002. P resented to President George W. Bush by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. (Original Concept & Portrait Composition, Copyright © by Igor V. Babailov) Official collection: George W. Bush Presidential Library, Dallas, TX. "Dear Igor, Laura and I send our best wishes. May God bless you." George W. Bush 43rd President of the United States of America "I know the President well and this beautiful painting captures his conviction and sincerity." Karen Hughes Personal Advisor to President George W. Bush The G8 Summit 2002 Members: U.S.A. ~ RUSSIA ~ CANADA ~ FRANCE ~ UK ~ JAPAN ~ ITALY ~ GERMANY ~ EU Official collection: George W. Bush Presidential Library, Dallas, TX. OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

"Be Not Afraid" is the Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II, by Igor V. Babailov. Collection: Vatican, Castelgandolfo Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II " He will stand as the most influential moral voice of our time." ~ The Reverent Billy Graham "Be Not Afraid" ~ Pope St. John Paul II Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Oil on Canvas (60" x 48") Collection: Vatican, Castel Gandolfo "Be Not Afraid" , the portrait of Pope John Paul II was officially commissioned in commemoration of the World Youth Days and the 25th Anniversary of The Pontificate of Pope John Paul II. Creative research included references from the Vatican archives. Mr. Babailov was granted an audience with the Pope and received His Holiness's Blessing. CLICK "Thank you for painting the Pope younger in his appearance, because he IS young and strong in his spirit, surrounded by the youth who had followed him, always replying generously to his call for a life of faith and love. How many experiences, how many feelings reflect the expression of the symbolism which is found in this painting! It is impossible to put them all in words..." ~ Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luigi Ventura About the Painting This painting is more than a portrait in its 'traditional' sense. It is about the eternal values of humanity. In "Be Not Afraid" the Artist identifies a number of those values, which are portrayed symbolically in the images of the Youth surrounding Pope St. John Paul II, known as "The Peoples' Pope", who also established the famous World Youth Day celebration. Some of those values are FAITH, LOVE, MERCY, and STRENGTH through Suffering. The young people on the painting represent our future. According to Pope St. John Paul II, the Youth are ' The Salt of the Earth.' Regardless of our geographical and religious backgrounds, we are all 'Children of God.' As a family, we must be together in our souls and values. "Be Not Afraid" is a part of the Vatican Museum collection. By the Personal Decree of Pope John Paul II, "Be Not Afraid" is displayed at the Vatican's historic Castel Gandolfo, the Papal Summer Residence. "My ultimate goal and aim as an artist was to portray Pope St. John Paul II the way he would be remembered: energetic, 'down to earth', much loved and close to people." ~ Igor V. Babailov Related LINKS to Igor Babailov's Vatican works Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope Francis Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard The Vatican Splendors exhibition The Sacred Art Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Official portrait of Peter C. Johnson, former President of Summitville Tiles, one of America's leading producers of ceramic tile, by portrait artist Igor Babailov. Collection: The Spread Eagle Tavern, Hanoverton, Ohio Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Portrait of Peter C. Johnson (1924-2011) Summitville Tiles, Ohio Portrait of Peter C. Johnson (1924 - 2011) Former President of Summitville Tiles, one of America's leading producers of ceramic tile. ( Oil on Canvas 40"x 33" ) Collection: Summitville Tiles and the Spread Eagle Tavern (Hanoverton, OH) OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

The Studio of portrait artist Igor Babailov - CONTACT Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA CONTACT US info@babailov.com Studio Babailov To schedule an appointment and for information on commissioning a portrait, works available, shows, master workshops, or if you have a question and would like to be contacted, added to our mailing list, please email us at info@Babailov.com or you may fill out the form below. Thank you. Send Success! Message received.

Portrait paintings of precious Children - by Portrait Master artist Igor Babailov. Distinguished Family & Private Collections. Naples - Nashville - New York - Washington - Charlotte. Children UP Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA PORTRAITS of CHILDREN (selected portraits) "What can be more precious, than our precious children.." ~ Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA CLICK on portraits to see them CLOSER What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting PORTRAIT PROCEDURE The Portrait Master Approach

Igor Babailov's published article about Beauty verses Ugliness, Relativism verses Traditional Values, and Good Art verses Bad Art. The Resurrection of Realism – Beauty will Save the World By Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA, KStA Published in the Faith an d C ulture online publication and The Epo ch Times It is not a coincidence that the very last thing we ever expect to see in church, is Modern art or an abstract painting, such as a blank page, a single brick or splashes of paint, as some sort of “intellectual” revelation to message one’s ego. Why? Many of us would immediately answer that it just does not belong there, and they are right, it doesn’t. Since the Renaissance, realistic art has played a leading role in education and particularly Christian education. Whether it is in the Bible, churches, or Catholic publications, an illustrated history of Christianity has been presented by realistic and life-like images, those that the viewer can relate to and understand. A strong realistic work of art can clearly convey a theological message, materialize the word of God, and serve as a powerful vehicle of communication to the masses. Hence, artist theologians such as Rafael, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and other Renaissance masters, painted religious works to educate, uplift and strengthen the faith. A definition of an ‘Artist’ was very clear in the past. Applied only to visual artists, it was also synonymous with ‘Skill,’ as the artist was someone who could do something that nobody else could do. Today, in times of Relativism, anyone can be labeled an “artist,” such as a cook, karate expert, dentist, butcher, or anyone. The term Artist has lost its sacred meaning. We often hear from the defenders of Modernism that ‘art can be anything and anything can be art.’ However, this just does not go well with our Christian heritage and culture, and portraying the Blessed Mother as a chaotic splash of paint or a deformed piece of sculpture, would stand against our visual perception of the Mother of Christ and, in general, our Christian teachings about the sacredness of life and the Beauty of Creation. A story comes to mind about a family of four children, driving on a road, along the fields with tree groves and rivers passing by. They were playing a game where each child were to name the ‘best,’ in their opinion, artist in the world. One child said it was ‘Picasso,’ another child mentioned ‘Van Gogh,’ then the third child named ‘Monet’ and the fourth child sat quietly looking out of the car window and admiring the nature flying by. Then he said, “Look at the sun and the birds and clouds in the blue sky, and the shapes and colors of the leaves and all the different trees. I think that the best artist in the world is God, who created it all.” Indeed, no one ever can create anything better than the masterpiece that He created. As an artist myself, I often think of that story, realizing that we artists realists are trying to reproduce the Beauty of God’s Creation on our canvases and, as artist theologians, we explore the nature of the divine. We know that we will never be as good as God in His skill, but at least we try to get as close as possible to that Master perfection. In other words, we treasure and glorify the Creation of Life and its Beauty. We go to schools and embark in traditional training of direct communication with nature to study all the “sciences in art,” as described by Michelangelo, Raphael and many other great masters after them. We strive to enhance our skills in drawing, because Realistic art is the only kind of art that requires skill, especially when it comes to exploring and capturing life in all its beauty and complexity, in the way it is and without exaggeration. I was fortunate to have received the core of such a traditional training and, unlike many debaters out there who are experts at expressing their opinion about art, I rely on my credentials which give me the artistic license, if you will, to support my remarks. A child prodigy, I painted my first portrait at four. I began my formal sixteen-year (1974-1990) fine art education at the age of nine and continued it at the specialized art lyceum for gifted children, followed by the Ph.D. levels of study at the renowned Surikov Art institute, all under the Russian Academy of Arts (founded by Catherine the Great in 1757), which recently also elected me as the Honorary foreign life-time academician. The curriculum of all my studies, besides such mandatory subjects as Human Anatomy, Perspective and others, also included History of Art from Prehistoric to Renaissance to Modern Art. So, we students were well aware of all the ‘art movements,’ styles and techniques, involved in every period of art. In our broad art education, we acquired the power of knowledge and the more we learned, the clearer was realization that masterfully executed realistic works of art can not be put on the same page with meaningless and helpless dribbles of paint, as we unfortunately often see today in schoolbooks. This is where the damage to the mind begins, resulting in total confusion of one’s thinking such as: If this one is a ‘masterpiece’ and this one is also a ‘masterpiece,’ what example should I follow? But in reality, it is not that complicated, as long as we remember that we live in a world of contrasts: plus verses minus, light verses dark, beauty verses ugliness. The concepts of Relativism are based on questioning what is already known, but what if it questions the moral values that helped humanity survive throughout its existence? Modern art goes hand in hand with Relativism, where common moral sense is demonized and instead ‘choice enlightened’ and socially acceptable often tasteless, unethical and even criminal behaviors such as abortion and euthanasia are championed as rights, choices, privileges and freedoms of expression. So, here is the question. Is Moral Relativism the tool of the devil and therefore the fundamental element in the art of Modernism, where God’s perfect form in human anatomy and nature is broken and defamed, and death and ugliness are celebrated over life and beauty? The answer is obvious. I would like to expand further and use Genesis Chapter 1, as the basis for the moral value of realistic painting and its vital role in following God’s commandments and in promoting and preserving life as He created it. In Genesis Chapter 1, it says that God created heaven and earth when the earth was without form or shape and in darkness. He separated light from darkness, and at the end of each day, “God saw it was good,” hence, God SAW goodness. Modern critics of the school of the Renaissance and Realism in general, claim that there is no creativity in depicting man or nature in its true form, yet that is exactly what God did in his creation of heaven and earth, nature and all beings. God created the template, the blueprint of Realism in art, where light and dark are separated in tonal values, and those who are familiar with the traditional school of art know that study of ‘tonal values’ in nature is the fundamental principle of Realism. After the viewer sees the realistic painter’s work, they become enlightened and SEE goodness, like God did after each stage of His creation. They see goodness also in the most tragic and sad paintings such as Christ on the cross and where a painting depicting pain and suffering, will move us to compassion and love. Realism is prayer, gratitude, honoring God’s creation. This is not the case in the inherent pessimism of Modern art, the art of ugliness and death, where future does not exist. Artistic talent is often referred to as a ‘gift from God’ and should be treasured as one and not taken for granted. For an artist, it also comes with sacred responsibilities, as the mission of Visual Art is not to celebrate selfish expression of one’s depressive feelings by primitive means. It must propagate goodness and beauty and not evil’s ugliness. And yes, even the horrors of war and devastation can be portrayed with signs of Hope, which helps us get through difficult times, so goodness will eventually prevail. Art must educate in a positive way and the artists have this very moral obligation before their viewers and God Himself, who gave them talent. “The works of art speak of their authors,” - said Pope John Paul II. In his letter to the Artists in 1999, His Holiness wrote, “To all who are passionately dedicated to the search for new ‘epiphanies’ of beauty so that through their creative work as artists they may offer these as gifts to the world,” and then His Holiness quotes from Genesis 1:31, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” A very Holy man, John Paul II was outspoken about the “culture of death,” warned about its consequences, and liked to quote the famous words of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, “Beauty will save the world!” Resurrection of Realism by Igor V. Babailov In the cataclysm of today’s debates and what is happening in the arts, I decided to create this work and my original composition depicted in this article. The angelic young child in the center represents the beauty, innocence and purity of Realistic art. Since the mid 1950s, it has been oppressed by shallow and weak art education and self-appointed art critics, kept for decades under the darkness of Modernism. In my painting, Modernism is represented by the ugly creatures from Picasso’s ‘iconic’ painting called “Guernica.” It portrays the moment when the film of darkness begins to heat up from beneath, like a volcano it bubbles and melts, and the divine light of Realism breaks through this captivity of cold darkness to breath the long awaited air and new life. I entitled this work “Resurrection of Realism.” In my lifetime professional career, I have created thousands of drawings and paintings and have painted more than 2000 portraits, which also included the official portraits of Presidents, Prime Ministers, British Royalty and three Popes for the Vatican. I particularly enjoy the Portrait genre because it celebrates the beauty of the most perfect of God’s creation, humanity. Perhaps this is why the worst assault on Beauty of Creation by Modernism is actually directed to breaking and mutilating the human form. I never give preference to which I prefer to paint more, adults or children. I just love people from all walks of life and love to find and accurately capture the unique characteristics of their outer and inner world. After all, it is our uniqueness that makes each of us beautiful, as we are all God’s children. I wish to leave my readers with a warning for the future. The more we surrender our God-given talents, skills and ability to re-create the Beauty of creation, the more we break the human form and distance ourselves from nature and the further away we go from God. We become disobedient to His laws and expectations and reverse, if you will, his original creation, reverting into the darkness and emptiness, to which He brought light, form and life. Modernism takes us in the opposite direction, into nothingness and reverses the process of Creation ‘from darkness to light’ and instead it takes us ‘from light to darkness.' Educating our youth and teaching them to recognize Beauty, promoting the classical art school of master skills and drawing from life, are the safeguards for common moral sense to prevail to keep the traditional values alive, so that the Beauty will indeed, save the world. About the Author: Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA, KStA, MFA (PhD), D.Litt (Hon. Causa), is the world-renowned American artist, Honorary American Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757), invited speaker, and scholar of the sacred arts. His recent articles and interviews have been published in the National Catholic Register (USA), Zenit (Italy), Nasz Dziennik (Poland), The Times of Malta, to name a few. He is the author of the book Greatest Portrait Moments with an Introduction by Michael Novak, which accompanies his distinguished clients’ portraits in public, museum, corporate and private collections and libraries around the globe. For more information, visit: www.Babailov.com

When the portrait sitting takes place in New York City, Igor Babailov greets his portrait clients at his prestigious historic National Arts Club. Founded in 1898, its members included three U.S. Presidents, writer Mark Twain, artists Cecilia Beaux, William Merritt Chase and many other luminaries. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA The National Arts Club New York City When the portrait sitting takes place in New York City, Mr. Babailov greets his portrait clients at his prestigious p rivate and historic National Arts Club. Since its founding in 1898, the club's distinguished members included three U.S. Presidents, writer Mark Twain, artists Cecilia Beaux, William Merritt Chase and many other luminaries. National Arts Club ceiling National Arts Club - bar National Arts Club staircase National Arts Club rooms National Arts Club rooms National Arts Club rooms National Arts Club dining room Private Gramercy Park - National Arts Club Gramercy Park - Private Gate 1/1 U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Samuel A. Alito Portrait sitting in preparation for the official U.S. Supreme Court portrait National Arts Club, NYC Igor Babailov, Hon.RAA is one of the very few artists today whose Portrait Painting Procedure resembles precisely those of the Great Masters of Portraiture, such as Ilya Repin and John Singer Sargent , as it includes preliminary DRAWING STUDIES FROM LIFE. This is the vital step in preparation for portrait painting and Mr. Babailov's unsurpassed 16-year academic art education enables him to skillfully DRAW his subjects entirely from life, which today is a fundamental challenge for many painters. Please see Portrait Procedure . At the same time, clients have the opportunity to see the artist in 'action' and his skill in capturing a full of character life-likeness, within a brief period of time and right on the spot. New York City select portrait news and unveilings At Times Square Igor Babailov on the Billboard at Times Square, New York City Actor James Gandolfini portrait unveiling The "Sopranos" TV series and other films. Official portrait unveiling, New York City Gen. David Petraeus Official portrait unveiling, New York City Justice Joseph P. Sullivan and Roy Reardon Justice Joseph P. Sullivan, the longest serving judge in New York. Portrait by Igor Babailov, official unveiling, New York City HRH Prince Andrew Official portrait unveiling, New York City, Collection: Buckingham Palace, London Rudy Giuliani Official portrait unveiling in New York City Reggie Jackson "Mr.October" American baseball star, portrait by Igor Babailov, official unveiling, New York City Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, Investment Firm, New York City Bob Costas Sportscaster, Emmy Awards winner, portrait unveiling, New York City Actor Tony Lo Bianco Official portrait unveiling, New York City Pianist Byron Janis Official portrait unveiling. Igor Babailov with Byron Janis and Dr. James Watson (DNA discoverer), New York City Frank Military Music Publisher to Frank Sinatra and numerous other stellar personalities in American music Regis Philbin TV personality, creator of the show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", portrait by Igor Babailov, official unveiling, New York City Isadore Sharp Four Seasons Hotels founder, with his grand full-length portrait by Igor Babailov Tiki Barber American Football star, portrait by Igor Babailov, official unveiling, New York City Boomer Esiason American Football star, official portrait unveiling in New York City Bill Gallo Legendary Sports Cartoonist - New York Daily News, portrait presentation, New York City Vincent Pitta New York City attorney, portrait unveiling. Bucky Dent American baseball star, official portrait unveiling, Yankee Stadium, NYC NYC portrait unveiling Babailov portrait unveiling at Waldorf Astoria, New York City New York Daily News writes about Igor Babailov's Vatican portrait of Pope Benedict XVI The Mid-South Studio PORTRAIT PROCEDURE The Master Approach What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting CONTACT US

Vatican Splendors - portrait of Pope Benedict XVI by portrait artist Igor Babailov exhibited alongside the works of Michelangelo, Giotto, Bernini, and other Great Masters of the Renaissance. Vatican museum tour. The only Living Master artist, Vatican exhibition. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA VATICAN SPLENDORS Exhibition of Masterpieces from the Vatican In 2010, Igor Babailov's Vatican portrait of Pope Benedict XVI was selected by the Pope to represent his Papacy in the Vatican Splendors international museum tours. The Vatican Curator acknowledged Babailov as Maestro, as his portrait hung alongside the works of Michelangelo, Bernini, Giotto , and other Masters of the Renaissance. Artist Igor Babailov and His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI by Igor Babailov Collection: Vatican Museum " he power of the precious objects in this exhibition brings us all into direct contact with the history and splendor of the Vatican. Our collective appreciation of the beauty we experience encourages and promotes a sense of unity between us. The history we share as we reflect on these objects and the stories they tell is the history of our common humanity." T ~ Msgr. Roberto Zagnoli, Vatican Curator The Vatican Splendors Exhibition From left to right: Exhibit organizer Mark Greenberg, artist Igor Babailov, Vatican Curator Msgr. Roberto Zagnoli Excerpts from the Exhibition Catalogue "The Vatican Splendors exhibition includes almost 200 works of art. It brings together some of the Vatican's most precious artistic masterpieces, historical documents, and sacred objects from the world's cultural and religious heritage." (from the Exhibition Catalogue) Michelangelo Giotto Guerchino Michelangelo Babailov Ribera Camuccini Vasari Tempesta Bernini Sassoferrato Fontana Guidi Zoboli Manfrini Vatican Splendors - A Journey Through Faith and Art ~ International Exhibitions ~ Related LINKS to Igor Babailov's Vatican works Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope Francis Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard The Sacred Art Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article www.Babailov.com

Portrait of Regis Philbin, TV personality, host of Live with Regis and Kelly show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, etc. Commissioned portraits by portrait artist Igor Babailov, unveiled in New York City. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Celebrity Portraits Regis Philbin American TV personality, Host of Live with Regis and Kelly show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and others. Regis Philbin (oil on canvas, 30" x 30") by Igor Babailov Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Regis Philbin At the Unveiling of the Portrait from left to right: Mr.& Mrs. Igor Babailov, Dr. Salvatore Ferrera, Mr. Tommy Lasorda, Mr. Regis Philbin, Dr. Rock Positano Official portrait unveiling, New York City VIDEO of Regis Philbin, unveiling his portrait in front of the millions of viewers on his Regis & Kelly Show OTHER CELEBRITY PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Pete Quaife Musician, artist, author Founding member and the original bass guitarist of the legendary British Rock group, The KINKS Pete Quaife (charcoal on canvas, 40"x 30"), portrait from Life by Igor Babailov, 1994 Pete Quaife and Igor Babailov Pete and Igor Great friends - Good times Pete Quaife at Igor Babailov's studio in front of the Columbus painting, with his incomparable British humor Paul McCartney and Pete Quaife Credit: Hilton Archives

Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA, elected Hon. Academician of Painting by the historic Russian Academy of Arts (Founded in 1757). Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA HON. ACADEMICIAN THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF ARTS FOUNDED IN 1757 "Dear Mr. Babailov, Congratulations to you on your election to the Russian Academy of Arts." Dr. James H. Billington 13th Librarian of Congress American portrait master Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA, elected into the roster of Academicians of the acclaimed Russian Academy of Arts (est. 1757) In 2012, Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA, world-renowned American portrait artist, was invited to Russia, where in an official ceremony in Moscow, he was bestowed the highest honor in the arts. The historically acclaimed Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757) elected Igor Babailov into its roster of Academicians. In recent years, previous recipients of this honor included designer Pierre Cardin , HRH Princess Chantal of France and the great American artist Andrew Wyeth . The Inauguration of the Russian Imperial Academy of Arts Artist: V. Jacobi (1834 - 1902) Collection: Louvre Museum THE HISTORIC ACADEMY OF ARTS Peter the Great's plan to create a Russian art school came to fruition on November 6, 1757, when the Russian Academy of Arts was established under the reign of Empress Elizabeth. In 1764, Catherine the Great proclaimed it the Russian Imperial Academy of Arts and rendered it special privileges. Since its inception, the Academy taught and gave the world some of the most famous names in the history of art, such as Bruni, Ivanov, Bryullov , Kramskoy, Repin, Serov , American artist Whistler and many other outstanding artists. The Academy Assembly of the Russian Academy of Arts In compliance with the RAA Charter, members of the Russian Academy of Arts are elected by the Academy Assembly. Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA Hon. Academician of Painting - elected by the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757) The Induction at the Oak Room of the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757) "An Academician is a member of an officially constituted Academy, such as the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757), to be elected to which is a great honor, the pinnacle of the career of a traditional artist." Fellow Academicians

Portrait artist Igor Babailov - Videos, Interviews, TV news, portrait unveilings, portraits in life sittings. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA VIDEOS "The Dancing Pencil of Igor Babailov" A time lapse of a live portrait demonstration by Igor Babailov at Vanderbilt University. Official Portrait of Pope Francis - interview with Igor Babailov Regis Philbin unveils his portrait, painted by Igor Babailov, to millions of his viewers on the national TV. Igor Babailov interviewed by New York Daily News Local Artist in charge of Pope Francis Portrait Igor Babailov - Vatican portrait sitting with the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Portrait sitting with Mikhail Kalashnikov - Inventor of AK-47 Igor Babailov draws portrait from life - time lapse