Portrait of MK
About six years ago, I landed in Milton Keynes. I was born in Hungary and ended up here somewhat randomly. I could say “life.” Today, I can call Milton Keynes my home. This year, MK is celebrating his 50th birthday. Therefore, I would like to honour this occasion by taking a snapshot of its people.
I’m setting out to paint 20 portraits in oil.
I don’t know how long it will take, whether it takes two years or longer, I don’t mind. Once I finished the 20 portraits, I will exhibit somewhere. From now on, once I finish a picture, I will share it on Facebook and my website. These portraits are not commissioned, and I’m doing it completely free, for my leisure and pleasure.
Would you like to be one of the faces of Milton Keynes?
All you need to do is to share the post of a finished painting on your Facebook to enter to a draw. If you get chosen, you need to make sure that you can attend a min of two, 2.5-hour sitting, possibly on a Sunday or Monday.
Visit my Facebook page and like if you like it or share if you dare to be painted!
Why painting portraits?
Well, I love to paint, and we like to measure with the human scale, but this is not my main reason. Not because we are on the top of the evolutionary chain, and not because we are the children of the universe. There is something more to human beings. We stand out from all living creatures. We can transform, we can change. Yes, we do, just like the minerals in the deep layers under enormous pressure and temperature turn to a beautiful crystal, and able to let the light through himself (Eckhart Tolle). So, people can transform as well. When they change, they became something wonderful, incredible creatures. The core, the spark, of this shift is in every human. It can happen, in just seconds – for example, when someone offers you a helping hand when not expected – or it can occur permanently. One thing is sure; such transformation can only happen in a human life. Only a person is capable of overcoming what he or she is.Therefore, a human life is the most precious treasure. This is why, for me, to paint a portrait is the highest expression of art.
Here are the first completed paintings.
Before that, first I would like to invite you for a time travel.
Thanks to my friend Brian, I have these old newspapers from 1977-78. Have a look at Milton Keynes when he was a teenager.
20. Portrait of John
Tell me something about you, who you are, what you are doing, what would you like to share about Yourself?
My name is John I’m Chinese.
What is your link to Milton Keynes?
I moved to MK when I was a teenager and started secondary school. MK is a very nice place to start a family, as it has a lot of green space and many play parks. MK is the best place I’ve lived in; it has all the things needed and, personally, I think is an immaculate town.
What do you think Milton Keynes will look like in 20 years?
MK will remain the same as it is right now in 20 years, but with a lot more small houses and flats for younger people, because it is already a great town.
Where do you think Milton Keynes needs improvement?
What could be improved in MK is maybe more job opportunities, because a number of people and employment available is not very balanced.
What is your favourite place in Milton Keynes?
What I like about MK is the road layout. You know that you can always turn around when needed, unlike places where you can end up going on a ring road that’s 2 miles long.
19. Portrait of Brian
Tell me something about you, who you are, what you are doing, what would you like to share about Yourself?
My name is Brian. I am 71 years old. I am a retired engineer. Married for 49 years. I have two children.
What is your link to Milton Keynes?
I have lived in MK for 45 years.
What do you think Milton Keynes will look like in 20 years?
Growing housing. Swelling up with all of the smaller villages in a 20-mile radius.
Where do you think Milton Keynes needs improvement?
More off street parking. Cheaper public transportation, to avoid people driving to work.
What is your favourite place in Milton Keynes?
Loughton
18. Portrait of Chris
Tell me something about you, who you are, what you are doing, what would you like to share about Yourself?
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17. Portrait of Angela
Tell me something about you, who you are, what you are doing, what would you like to share about Yourself?
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What is your link to Milton Keynes?
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16. Portrait of Kiki
Tell me something about you, who you are, what you are doing, what would you like to share about Yourself?
My name is Keinikki Lynch, but Kiki for short. I am an artist from Milton Keynes, but I also live model around the area. I regularly write blogs on art exhibitions I visit all over the world.
What is your link to Milton Keynes?
Some of my kin lived in MK, so my family moved when I was eleven. I grew up here until I left for university.
What do you think Milton Keynes will look like in 20 years?
I think it will continue to strive to be the most modern and convenient city in the UK; however, I think even in twenty years, the city will struggle to have its own identity.
Where do you think Milton Keynes needs improvement?
Personally, I feel Milton Keynes needs to focus on building its cultural identity and establishing what makes it special.
What is your favourite place in Milton Keynes?
Large green areas are the highlight for me; Cathedral Of Trees, Secret Garden, and my favorite town is Stony Stratford because it is full of old buildings and has a wonderful hippie atmosphere.
15. Portrait of Leigh
Tell me something about you, who you are, what you are doing, what would you like to share about Yourself?
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14. Portrait of Tom
Tell me something about you, who you are, what you are doing, what would you like to share about Yourself?
My name is Tom I’m 29 years old. I enjoy writing poetry. I help the homeless in MK because everyone deserves to be treated equally as a human being.
What is your link to Milton Keynes?
I moved to Milton Keynes when I was 6. I grew up with the surroundings and wanted to help forge a community working together.
What do you think Milton Keynes will look like in 20 years? Where do you think Milton Keynes needs improvement?
Milton Keynes use to have a music culture that people came far and wide to see. It needs to restablish itself in 20 years time it will become a city and its important to start with the right foundations making up to the community to shape local policy.
What is your favourite place in Milton Keynes?
My favourite place is Furzton lake and the bowl.
