Sometimes you do a portrait for the one you love and this piece is for my other half, Bill. Bill has loved “Rach” since he was a child. When researching his (Rach’s) life, I had no preconceived opinion of him. I knew very little about him. I discovered he fled his native Russia and came to Los Angeles and never again returned to Russia. Rachmaninoff is one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, and his music is at once poignant and haunting. His music is filled with longing, verging on despair, and then unshakable strength. Rachmaninoff also dealt with paralyzing depression for most of his life. Seeing these dualities in his life I focused on the journey he made, from Russia to Hollywood. I even have something in common with Rachmaninoff. We both share the same birth date. Rachmaninoff was a master at his craft and a genius, just like my Bill.