Local artist Dan Raizman has been known as an artist in the region for quite some time. While in school, everyone knew him for his interest in the arts and for his drawings.

Raizman has recently completed a painting entitled, "A Greek Soldier," a commission from a mortgage brokerage office in Manhattan.

"I told this person that I wanted to make a living as an artist. We started talking about the type of painting he wanted and he gave me the commission.

"It is a miracle that I even did it at all. It takes me forever sometimes to get things done as I struggle with severe ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder], but I wanted to prove that I could do it," said Raizman. A particular muse inspired Dan to really get moving on the piece, he said.

"I already knew that I had the talent, I just didn't know how much. One day my mother had Larry Paine over and he taught me how to use oil paints. I painted for a little while and then lost interest for a short time. One day I went down to Sherman's to buy some art supplies and I really started to dedicate myself since then," Raizman said.

Within two years, Raizman said that he copied the "Mona Lisa" by DaVinci, just for practice, and he has excelled ever since.

"I've been painting since I was 15. Salvadore Dali was one of my first influences but Leonardo DaVinci was, and is, my primary interest.

"My work is influenced by the Italian Renaissance painters. Back in high school I studied a little bit of Michelangelo's drawings. I do some surrealism but my heart is with the classical Renaissance," Raizman said

"My faith in God is important to me. Without that, I don't think I'd be doing it. My gift comes from God and I do it for Him. He is my primary motivator."