Daiva's perspective

Daiva

Beautiful, enigmatic Daiva has modelled for Johnny for four years.  Just before she left Harrogate last week to return to her home in Lithuania, I asked her to tell me how she came to be one of his models.  She is herself an accomplished artist and dancer and widow of sculptor Jonas Luksiate.

'It was in Blues Bar - it was my second dance performance.  After performance Marta came and asked, 'Can Paul’s brother draw you?'

I said, 'I don’t know him – if I know his style, maybe.

We had  meeting in his studio.  I saw only abstracts and no figurative.  He said he did figurative work many years ago and he was trying to get back into it.  He showed me some of his drawings and they were amazing.  The line was perfect, very sharp where it should be sharp and soft, where it should be soft.

I find that this man is a genius at drawing the line – not everyone can do it.  I saw a drawing of leg and hand holding a cigarette. The line so perfect to give an expression of hand – only one line to show shape.  He is really good artist and I can give my time.

He said that at the moment he is interested to draw legs, if I can model to sit or stand.  So I said yes I can do it.

I remember two years ago, I was sitting on a chair in the Studio modelling – my dream was to go to India to learn the Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dance).  I was saving my money to go to India.  It was maybe a few months before I leave,  I was sitting very quietly looking at paintings in front of me  and dreaming about travel.  He did drawing on white paper – only line.

Entrance to the Temple

 After few weeks I asked him if he had finished the painting and he had.  I was shocked because he draw my leg, with the dancer's bells and between my legs he put the painting that I had been looking  at – the painting is 'Entrance to Temple'.  It was as if he had read my mind – subconsciously he put everything in one – my mind, my figure and my dream.  I asked, "How did you do this? This is magic?"

In India, I was there to learn dance, but I met Brahmans and spent two weeks in temple – they taught me about the dance and the ritual.  I found more information about the dance from Brahmans - the knowledge is about ten thousand years old.  I came to the Entrance to Temple.

I had dreamed of learning the Bharatanatyam dance since I was ten – I don’t know why.  After thirty years, he draw me and  – he did magic – he opened the doors for me to the mystery of the dance - the meaning of the entrance to temple.  I have connection with Johnny of high level – he is incredibly intuitive.

My husband was sculptor and he did a lot of my figure in bronze and marble and they were really beautiful.  He was professional sculptor – Jonas (Johnny) - so I know how my body looks and I was modelling all my life – I was like a muse for him.  He expressed the politic, the essence … Some of his sculptures are in parks and museums in Lithuania.  He died eight years ago.

Johnny by Daiva

I am artistic, I love to paint characters – Paul, Marta and Adam the drummer.  I am familiar with art – can see line, detail.  Johnny’s art is professional plus magic.'

I'd had a wonderful evening with Daiva and been given a fascinating, perceptive glimpse through her eyes.  Why is it that you often meet the loveliest people, or find the best bar or restaurant on the last night of a holiday, yet they have been under your nose all the time?