Igor Beginin

Yugoslavian, 1931-2011

BiographyIgor Beginin, a prominent Michigan painter with a focus on abstract watercolor, died on September 22. Igor taught watercolor at Eastern Michigan University for 33 years. Upon his retirement in 2001, he was nominated and conferred Professor Emeritus status. During his distinguished artistic career, Igor served as a juror for countless state, local and international exhibitions. His award winning works have been displayed in competitive exhibitions regularly and are held in both private and public collections worldwide. After attending two years of college in the former Yugoslavia, his birthplace, Igor spent four years in a displaced persons camp in Italy, learning to speak five languages and serving as an interpreter for the camp. He then immigrated to the United States, where he was drafted into the United States Navy. He served the Commander of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean before returning to the United States and becoming a naturalized citizen. Upon his honorable discharge, Igor attained both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Art from Wayne State University in Michigan. He was an active member of the Michigan Watercolor Society, where he was chairman for several years. Igor is listed in Who's Who in American Art and Who's Who in American Education. Former students celebrate his teaching for cultivating their raw talent. Igor was an abstract painter by choice. The foundation of his art was drawing skill, of which he imparted on his students. His works have been described as "paradoxically intuitive and controlled" and that they provide a profound "visual experience without being a slave to reality". Beloved father and grandfather, Igor is survived by his sons, Vadim (Terra) and Marc, and grandchildren, Cameron, Ryan and Alek. In addition to art, Igor enjoyed reading, gardening and was an avid pianist. He adored animals, in particular his cat, and was a devoted Detroit Tigers fan. Committal service Monday 2 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery Chapel, 19807 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. Memorial reception to follow.

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