Senseless death of hope
Homicide claims the artistry within young man’s soul
Just another dead black guy. You read about them every day. Drugs. Drive-bys. “Probably had it coming.” All in all nothing worthy of note. On Saturday, May 23, a modest, talented young man’s life ended with a bullet in the neck as he sat on the steps of a church on Memorial Day weekend. It happened in Schenectady, making it all the more easily ignored. Only for me there is nothing easy about it.
The pain of loss I feel is too deep to alleviate. Duane Todman was a fine young man. The world has missed out on the wonderful art within his soul.
All he wanted out of life was to paint and be accepted as the artist he was. A senseless act of violence ended what could have been and replaced it with the glaring truth of our time: No lives matter. None.
Duane had the most intense desire to pursue art of anyone I’ve ever known, and I’ve been at this business for many decades. About 10 years ago, I became his reluctant mentor. I did everything I could to discourage him from seeking a career in art. It’s not an easy life especially when you’re first getting started. As hard as I tried I couldn’t dissuade him. He was so incredibly committed to his goal. I constantly reminded him of the perils sure to befall him on his quest. Constant rejection. Never enough money to get by. Poor living conditions. His determination never wavered. I respected him and admired his tenacity and finally gave in to the fact that he was never going to alter his path. We met many times.
He would email and call me often for career advice. I critiqued his paintings and never gave him a pass for work that I thought did not come up to par. He took it all seriously and was on a trajectory for success.
A few months ago, he had an opportunity to apply for a scholarship at the Academy of Realist Art in Boston. He needed a recommendation and I was more than happy to provide one. They were impressed and placed him on a short list of applicants and wanted to interview him. That was the last contact I had with Duane. You can get a sense of his excitement over the interview from his final email to me.
“Hey, Len. Here’s an update on the scholarship. I’ve been put on the shortlist to receive the scholarship. I have an interview on Wednesday. Please wish me luck. I believe this would work wonders for my career, especially if I am able to figure out a way to go to school for the entire 3 years.
“I’m also wondering if you know any art dealers or artist agents. I’m working on a series of still lifes honoring the different trade workers by painting the tools of the trade. Please let me know.
“I’m really excited for the interview as well as the series I’m working on. I really hope I get this scholarship. Thanks for all the help.”
Earlier today I called the academy. They had already received word of his murder and were devastated. Only last week Duane had been awarded the scholarship and they were anxiously awaiting his arrival.
All of his wonderful energy and enthusiasm was snuffed out in a senseless act of violence. I will mourn him and miss him. We all lost a promising contributor to our culture and the insights his art may have provided us, had he been given the chance.
Len Tantillo lives in Nassau.