Yakov's Paintings

America's Heart

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"Immediately after the events of September 11th in New York City, I was inspired to create this work of love, "America's Heart." It is not easy to find good in this tragedy; the heart above the Statue of Liberty depicts the love and patriotism Americans have experienced since that time. "America's Heart" captures my belief that Americans say we care in silent ways that speak louder than any act of terrorism." Available for Purchase

Laughing Genius

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"Laughter is a sign of balance even for a genius. I've seen pictures of Einstein very serious since I was a child and he was the man who created the theory of relativity -- someone told me Einstein said, "Three hairs on your head -- that's not enough; when you have three hairs in your soup that's more than enough!" A man like this had a great sense of humor so I had to paint him the way I pictured him most times. I wanted to show the conflict in my mind -- how we're use to seeing something one way and seeing it different doesn't always connect. That's what I like about this -- surprise -- genius and laughter!" Available for Purchase

Joy To The World

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Psalm 51:8 -- Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied... "My belief is that the Son of God is usually seen as carrying the weight of the world on His shoulders. I feel that He also has a great sense of humor. Children laugh 300 times and more a day, and God gave them this gift. Jesus said let the little children come to me and reminded us that we needed to be like them. Thinking about all of this I thought the most innocent way of looking at the world has to be through children's eyes. So, the eyes of Jesus are actually my children's -- one is Natasha's and one is Alexander's. Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be." Available for Purchase

Face of Freedom

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"This is how I remember her as I stood in her shadow, as fireworks lit up her face. She just had her face-lift and new dress put on during the renovation in the year 1986. I looked up into her eyes and realized that I was now an American citizen and that I had become a member of the most wonderful country club in the world. What a Country!" Available for Purchase

Family First

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"Nothing shows the closeness of the family more than being able to roughhouse with the kids. Part of being a dad is roughhousing. There is nothing kids like to do more than pile up on Dad, and choke and strangle him. Because why? It's FUN."

Flying Glory

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"I was really nervous about starting this painting. Watching the flag fly proudly over my theater always gave me goose bumps. I was hoping to portray it with honor. I hope I did." Available for Purchase

Alexander the Great

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"Everybody thinks they're a comedian. I guess I have competition growing up in my family. This painting makes me laugh. An all American boy. A chip off the old Soviet Union Block."

America at Peace

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"Since 9/11, we have come a long way to healing the wounds. We are more at peace again. This painting followed America's Heart, which was about the hope of healing. This next painting confirms where America is today. Terrorists wanted to change America and they did. As Americans after 9/11, we're much more united, together as a nation, and we got stronger, better, and more at peace. By peace, I mean the harmony you can feel in our united determination to fight these terrorists and killers.. We are always at war somewhere -- we have to show our devotion to our mission and freedom and protecting the world." Available for Purchase

Natasha

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"Her eyes reflect the beauty of her soul. She is at peace knowing that she is loved and cherished. That out of 6 billion people on the planet there is no one like her. In her eyes, I see trust that we adults will know what to do to create a place where children can experience this peaceful world."

God and Country

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"I believe that "One Nation Under God" should continue to be part of the "Pledge of Allegiance". I saw this photo in a newspaper in Ft Meyers, FL on January 1, 2002 -- that was the new year after the 9/11 attacks. I froze when I saw it because it combined the hope and the grief and the silence. I had to paint but I didn't have the photo -- only in my head. So, in the painting -- that's my bible, my hands, and my flag -- and the hands are blue because they're cold because it was in January." Available for Purchase

American by Choice

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"This was one of my first paintings. I started it one night in Florida at ten in the evening and finished it at five in the morning. At 6:00 AM I was on a plane back to Branson. The paint was still wet, and I had only one hour of sleep, and I was proud of my choice." Available for Purchase

Love and Laughter

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"This is the biggest portrait to me. I have it in my living room, bedroom, my office, everywhere. It reminds me to focus on the joy of life, as I'm sure He would have wanted us to. The Bible talks a lot about Jesus rejoicing but you don't see depictions of that very often. It struck me that divinity and laughter would go hand and hand. God loves a merry heart. To me laughter is the Language of God -- laughter is a gift that God gave to man and it's very precious; it is unequal to anything else. I believe that love and laughter are inseparable. Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. Laughter is a confirmation of energy flow in the right way and the energy is Love. So painting this I'm thinking God is Love so He's also Laughter." Available for Purchase

The Dance of Nature

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"This is one of my favorite paintings. It took me the longest so far, over six months. Actually, under this painting are four other paintings that were good, but not good enough to tell a story. Look closely, and from far away you will see the strong qualities of the trunk and flexible, ever-changing fruit bearing qualities of the branches and leaves. This is the "Dance of Nature" that is present in everything, that is present in every aspect of our existence." Available for Purchase

Serenity

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"This is the only water color painting I've done. I did it in two hours. It was a magical evening and a magical sunset over Lake Arrowhead."

Saint Basil

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"I wanted to surprise my wife after a trip to Russia in 1991. I was inspired by the bright and vibrant colors of Saint Basil Cathedral in Red Square in Moscow. The original large painting is four by six feet. I painted it in the laundry room, working two to three hours a night in the middle of the night, and covered it up each night. She didn't see it until it was finished."

Sweet Lady Liberty

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"This painting is best described by a poem I wrote; Sweet Lady Liberty, you are the face of freedom for me. I found you, and here I'll stay. Forever more, Forever more, I pray."