David M Raine's Page

Hello to all here on BAIA! I am a writer, musician, and actor. I am here to represent my Father's work that spans about 50 years. 

He began as a sketching poet in the late 40s/early 50s while serving as one of the first blacks in the newly segregated airforce, during the Korean War.

He was introduced to ceramics in the late 50s at Cheyney University, where he studied arts and science. Still not ready to live solely as an artist, he became the Director of the Elwyn Institute. He rebuilt the facility, hired and directed the staff, taught classes, and authored the books that would make the goals of the program comprehensible to both supporters and family of mentally disabled citizens. He took a rundown set of dorms and helped change it into the internationally acknowledged learning and care center it is today.

He went on to earn his Masters in Fine Art at Penn University, while still running Elwyn. During this time (late 60s) is when his passion for sculpting with wood was birthed. By now, he was living a double Life. By day, as an administrator, he said he did "God's work". By night, he called it, "HIS work". He bought a house large enough to raise a Family and still have two work studios. One was for sculpting, and the other, for painting. He worked constantly, with party breaks with fellow Philadelphian artists for many years.

It was in the mid-80s when he began to see things differently. He was now in his 50s and wanted to tackle the fear of living just as an artist. He also had less energy for the artists,social scenes. (the late nights, heavy drinking, competitive attitudes..etc) In the past that behavior had estranged him from his Family.

He began his path back to God. His days began to consist of morning Bible study, and long hours in his studios. He slowly began to pull away from the many friends he had, till where he barely spoke with anyone but God and his Family.

This became a catch 22, because without upkeep of the friendships, he was unable to trust, or cultivate relationships that would enable him to regularly show and sell his work. He went on producing his art up to his mid 70s. He passed from Lung Cancer in June 2009. He left his work and his wishes with me. I intend to do what he was not able to during his Life...share his work that is rooted in the African American experience, but bound for Universal awareness.