Haibun Journey Today’s My Birthday — Constantin Alajalov

November 18, 1900 in Rostov, Russia. Constantin Alajalov, was a portrait painter, illustrator and cartoonist. At age sixteen Constantin’s life at University of Pertrograd was disrupted by the Red Army. To stay safe he joined with a group of government artists who traveled around the country painting propaganda murals. Later he moved to Persia and ended up painting for another revolution. His final stop, before earning the 100 dollars need for passage to America, was Constantinople.

At age 23 he made it to America and tried to make it a an Artist. Over the years Constantin drew covers for Saturday Evening, The New Yorker, Vogue and other publications. His satirical drawing were realistic and capture humor. His work added a refinement of color, detail and storytelling to the subject matter. He submitted his last contribution to the Post at the age of sixty-two. He lived to be eighty-seven and left behind a legacy of fine illustrative art.

caricatures laugh
full of life and color
satirical news