On Painting Again: January 2016

In 2015, I attended a few art festivals (Brooksville, Winter Park and Ocala) ... Only three shows in to this "alternate reality" endeavor, I'm learning a consistent, humble lesson, for sure: People are the best part of these events. Not just the public at large, but the folks you chance to be located near in booth assignments, and the artists you engage in conversation with across the gamut of styles, niches and media.

So, with that "glass half-full" perspective, I can still say that selling little or nothing is not as entirely disappointing as it may sound. Of course — I don't know how long I could continue on this course due to the funds required to sustain it, but the willingness to share ideas, insights and encouragement from one's peers is super nice.

While I'm not at any record-setting pace, I'll be showing some of my figurative paintings done in 2014– 2015 at Michele Tuegel Contemporary beginning this weekend until early February 2016. Those who know me certainly know this pace, however, exceeds all my expectations.

My expectations were tempered with (1) not really knowing if I had the discipline to create this body of work; or (2) whether such an opportunity as a gallery event might even be accessible to me so early on this path. Everything I've read on the topic of galleries cautioned that it could take a substantial period — years even — of building a reputation and catalog, in addition to much good luck!

Well the "good luck" part happened in spades when I made the acquaintance of Michele Tuegel and Gilbert Johnson. It's a blessing to be on the receiving end their kindness and earnest feedback. I hope I can make Michele's investments of faith in artists and business acumen profit her this New Year!

In the Gallery January 2016

Happy New Year!

Please join us for the

Opening Reception
of this solo exhibition

and meet the artist

CROPPED:

Oil Paintings by Clovis Dean Rusk
For Annie Dean Rusk

For Annie, 36 x 36 in.

Coinciding with

2nd Saturday ArtWalk

Saturday, January 9, 2016

5 - 9 p.m.

IN THE

CENTRAL ARTS DISTRICT

320 CENTRAL AVENUE

DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG

Tuscan Dream, 22 x 42 in.

Clovis Dean Rusk | Pursuing painting as a second career since his retirement as a graphic designer, 'Dean' has already amassed an impressive collection of work in a style reminiscent of Modernist Realism. Many of his large canvasses consist of "cropped" and meticulously-detailed sections of the female body, focusing on the form with equal concern for technical design, color and pattern in the background. Other subjects hint of contemporary portraiture and magnified images of natural objects in nature.

Dean received his B.A. in painting, drawing and photography in the late 70's from the University of Tampa. Today, he lives with his wife in Brooksville, FL where he maintains a painting studio and is also a songwriter and musician with the band Those Unscrupulous Sunspots, performing in Central Florida-area venues.

His work is represented by Michele Tuegel Contemporary.

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