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Part 2 - Life in America
Thirty-three year old Garikow's stay in New York lasted only a few days. On Tuesday, September 18, 1951, he left NYC and arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the 30th Street Station the same day. Philadelphia was to become Garikow's home for the rest of his natural life.
Garikow loved everything about city life. With his love for the arts, Ivan regularly attended the theatre, the ballet, musical events and art exhibits all around the Philadelphia area - a dream come true for Ivan. He enjoyed the freedom of being able to mingle with fellow artisans without the fear of political retribution; however, he never learned the English language, and that would become a major obstacle in his ability to communicate effectively with others.
Ivan's life had improved dramatically since coming to America. Not only was he beginning to prosper as an artist, but his son was now in America, too. Life was good again. In 1954, Ivan joined the Art Talents Association of Philadelphia, and his painting, Letter, was exhibited in New York City at the Barbizon-Plaza Art Gallery at 106 Central Park South from May 8 through May 20 of 1954. With his career success and his popularity on the rise, Ivan continued to paint. Soon, he opened his own art studio/gallery in Philadelphia at 530 West Girard Avenue on April 23, 1955. Two weeks later on May 5, 1955 an article in the Philadelphia Midtown Crier reported that several more of his paintings were accepted for exhibition at Barbizon-Plaza in New York.
Featured news articles regarding his works started to appear in local papers in the Philadelphia area. In time, Ivan moved his studio/gallery to 989 North 6th Street where he continued to flourish. He was living his "American dream" and was certain that great success awaited him. He believed that fame was inevitable; however, Ivan exercised poor judgment in choosing the location of his new art studio. On February 16, 1962, as he was walking along the Philadelphia streets, Ivan was beaten and robbed. All of his money and his personal belongings were stolen - an omen of things yet to come. In spite of the mugging which affected his emotional state and contributed to his wretched living conditions, his faith remained undaunted in pursuit of his share of the "American dream."
Ivan's personal life went from one disaster to another partly due to the fact that he never learned to speak the English language. Family members tried to convince him to sell his home in Philadelphia; however, he remained adamant in his belief that divine guidance would intervene and the discovery of his true talent would soon be realized. By this time, his paintings appeared to show the effect of his poor eyesight, and he was never fitted for corrective glasses. Unfortunately, his bad luck continued to occur. On September 25, 1971 another mugging took place, and in 1972, his home and gallery was broken into and three of his oil paintings were stolen. Another burglary occurred in 1974 with six more paintings stolen. Ivan finally told his son, Arnold, "There have been many break-ins at my home over the years. Whoever broke in this last time knew exactly what they were doing.They stole some of my best paintings!"
In the spring of 1978, the "city of brotherly love" had torn down and demolished every building in the block except Garikow's. The entire city block was condemned which made Garikow's home an easy target. The break-ins continued, and his home suffered continual vandalism. These attacks were just too much for Ivan to bear, and he fell into a downward spiral of misery and despair. He no longer took care of himself. Garikow became a recluse. He became despondent and only left his home to go to work. Soon, he became paranoid and delusional. He lived a solitary and secluded life. No one was welcomed into his home except his son, Arnold. Unfortunately, the "American dream" failed Garikow in every possible way. Despite his family's concern, Ivan refused help. He hid in his home behind his brushes and canvasses as he worked continually while ignoring his health. On April 26, 1982, less than two months before his 64th birthday, bed-ridden from ill health, Ivan Garikow died. He was found by his long time friend and fellow Russian artist Vladimir Shatalow. The death certificate cited dehydration and malnutrition as the cause of death. If it is true that great artists live a troubled life, Ivan Garikow was one of the greatest.
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On August 21, 1951, Ivan Garikow sailed to the United States from the German port of Bremenhaven aboard the USNS General Harry Taylor. He arrived in New York City on September 10, 1951 and stepped on American soil at Ellis Island as passenger #126.
It only took a few weeks for Ivan to be offered a job with Newman Art Galleries located on Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Newman Galleries was one of the most respected art galleries in the United Sates, and Garikow's talent was welcomed into the organization. It did not take long for Ivan's talent to be noticed in the United States. Ignoring his own safety, Ivan stood for weeks on a traffic island at the intersection of South Broad and Pine Streets while he painted a view of Philadelphia's city hall. On July 7, 1952, less than one year after immigrating to the United States, his photograph appeared in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin's Section B-3.
It was during the same year that Lilli realized she could no longer support both herself and her son, Arnold. In 1953, thanks to the Red Cross, she sent Arnold to the United States, but because Ivan was still single, arrangements were made to have Arnold live with Lilli's mother, Maria Schneider, Arnold's grandmother. This news delighted Ivan since he had a good relationship with his in-laws even after his divorce with Lilli. 
By April 5, 1962, he had saved enough money to place a down payment of five hundred dollars on his own house at 1238 North 5th Street. Although this was a joyous occasion for him, it proved to be another bad mistake for Ivan. The neighborhood in which he had invested his hard-earned money was not a good neighborhood. As the neighborhood continued to decay, Ivan kept working for Newman Galleries, but his personal habitat became one of squalor, constant vandalism and urban deterioration. 
