Like another model whose portrait is displayed in this exhibition, Nadia began her life in Russia, emigrated to Israel, and then emigrated to the United States. I have known Nadia for more than 20 years, since she was a student in law school. She is now an accomplished lawyer, a dedicated expert in representing individuals at risk with the immigration services.

This portrait reflects and seeks to celebrate a resurgence in Nadia’s life. For years, for reasons not of her making, she found herself engulfed in almost nightmarish circumstances. And for a long while, those circumstances weighed her down and wore her down. Eventually, however, she adjusted. She coped, she considered, and she restarted her life. As a tangible symbol of this resurgence, she has now a beautiful and elaborate tattoo on her left arm.

As this portrait is in honor of Nadia surmounting dreadful circumstances, the painting prominently displays the tattoo.

In the artist’s opinion, however, the surmounting symbol of Nadia’s resurgence is in the strength, determination, vitality, and beauty of her face.