...There's my other preoccupation: Original music. Here's a mini web-player of the songs our band, Those Unscrupulous Sunspots, have recorded:
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Reproductions Available Online
A little bit of an experiment...
I don't have all the resources, funds, time, etc. to explore every possibility the interwebs offer, but this came highly recommended. It's a source that I can upload my artwork to, and reproductions can be purchased and printed on demand!
I've only had one show so far, but I can't tell you how much investment it takes for me to purchase giclées to sell as reproductions, whether on art paper, framed or matted — much less prints onto canvas. This is in hopes that all I have to do is point folks in the right direction...
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/clovis-rusk.html
I don't have all the resources, funds, time, etc. to explore every possibility the interwebs offer, but this came highly recommended. It's a source that I can upload my artwork to, and reproductions can be purchased and printed on demand!
I've only had one show so far, but I can't tell you how much investment it takes for me to purchase giclées to sell as reproductions, whether on art paper, framed or matted — much less prints onto canvas. This is in hopes that all I have to do is point folks in the right direction...
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/clovis-rusk.html
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
The First Year In Review (well — at the three-quarter mark, anyway)
On reviewing this blog this morning — something, as its author, I probably don't do as often as I should — I've noticed that there can be a heckuva lot of "clicking around" just to see the meat of the site: the paintings!
So, for all my readers (that'd be you) that fall into my own category of nonlinear nonreaders, here's a quick summary of all the completed paintings I've posted this calendar year in order of completion. More to come before the end of year!
(Click on an image for detailed view and to scroll through the rest.)
So, for all my readers (that'd be you) that fall into my own category of nonlinear nonreaders, here's a quick summary of all the completed paintings I've posted this calendar year in order of completion. More to come before the end of year!
(Click on an image for detailed view and to scroll through the rest.)
Monday, August 3, 2015
Serendipity's Circle
Back in May, my lovely wife, Cheryl, and I were "gallery and brewery hopping" in wonderful downtown St. Pete. We stopped by one of our favorite galleries, Michele Tuēgel Contemporary, and after browsing for a while, ventured into the back of the gallery for more artworks.
It was there that I met a framer, Gilbert Johnson; a very soft-spoken and pensive gentleman who obviously puts great pride into his framing and restoration work. We struck up a conversation regarding a Christopher Still work he was framing. Some 28 years or so ago, my office and staff worked on a statewide magazine for the water management districts, and Christopher had approached us to provide imagery for some covers. His paintings were so impressive, they genuinely lent professional credibility to our conservation and education efforts. (I'd like to think it also led to further statewide commissions for him, as well!)
I mentioned how Mr. Still's style had really influenced me, and after visiting his exhibit in Largo, decided I would make a sincere effort to paint. Gilbert asked what style I painted in, and I showed him a half-dozen or so images I keep on my iPhone. Next thing I know, he'd set up an appointment for later that day to show them to Michele, the gallery owner.
After a few more galleries (and only one more brewery, I swear!) — and many blocks of walking, we headed back to meet Michele. We had much in common, regarding acquaintances and education in the Bay Area. She was very kind, supportive and generous in her comments. She asked if she could see the actual canvases at some future date. About a month later, we arranged a meeting, and, long story short, she held on to one of my paintings for her gallery wall, and we discussed a possible future exhibition. "Wow" was really my only giddy reaction. And, coincidentally, she followed up with an email herself, which began with "Wow."
In the same week this happened, I received two acceptances to juried art shows I had submitted applications to. Wow, indeed.
Everything I've ever read about starting out in a "painting scene" had somewhat lowered my expectations insofar as getting a foot in the door. Serendipity played a HUGE role in meeting Gilbert and Michele. Serendipity also played a role in showing my work, as the person that first hired me for my 35-year career, Emilio "Sonny" Vergara, was instrumental in encouraging me — prodding me — to participate in my first show this last Spring. (He's an exceptional photographer in his own right these days.)
And the circle goes 'round.
It was there that I met a framer, Gilbert Johnson; a very soft-spoken and pensive gentleman who obviously puts great pride into his framing and restoration work. We struck up a conversation regarding a Christopher Still work he was framing. Some 28 years or so ago, my office and staff worked on a statewide magazine for the water management districts, and Christopher had approached us to provide imagery for some covers. His paintings were so impressive, they genuinely lent professional credibility to our conservation and education efforts. (I'd like to think it also led to further statewide commissions for him, as well!)
I mentioned how Mr. Still's style had really influenced me, and after visiting his exhibit in Largo, decided I would make a sincere effort to paint. Gilbert asked what style I painted in, and I showed him a half-dozen or so images I keep on my iPhone. Next thing I know, he'd set up an appointment for later that day to show them to Michele, the gallery owner.
 |
| The postage stamp on the wall is my 4' by 4' painting, "Figure and Quilt." |
In the same week this happened, I received two acceptances to juried art shows I had submitted applications to. Wow, indeed.
Everything I've ever read about starting out in a "painting scene" had somewhat lowered my expectations insofar as getting a foot in the door. Serendipity played a HUGE role in meeting Gilbert and Michele. Serendipity also played a role in showing my work, as the person that first hired me for my 35-year career, Emilio "Sonny" Vergara, was instrumental in encouraging me — prodding me — to participate in my first show this last Spring. (He's an exceptional photographer in his own right these days.)
And the circle goes 'round.
Friday, July 10, 2015
At Last!
At last! Back from California, where, if you think it's hot here, it was 107 degrees in the East Bay Area!
Finally got around to the minutiae of all the patches... Actually, while photographing for this post, the painting took a tumble and broke a reinforcement strut on the canvas stretcher, along with a very minor scrape in the stripes of the background flag... Art is fragile!
Harkens back to a painting I was doing for a cowboy when I was a 19-year-old student that fell victim to a very large speaker attached to a wall. Apparently, loud music can cause speakers to come lose from their moorings, and well, suffice to say, my cowboy friend really didn't believe my story of the 10-inch rip right through the center of the half-finished canvas!
So here's the final, awaiting curing for varnish. If you know this guy (Papa Bear?), give him a holler for me. I can imagine somehow raising a few bucks for veterans with a cameo appearance of him and his best friend! I'd even spring for a giclée reproduction as model compensation!
UPDATE: I found Papa Bear! Jack B. had friends in the Tampa Bay area that knew him from church.
Finally got around to the minutiae of all the patches... Actually, while photographing for this post, the painting took a tumble and broke a reinforcement strut on the canvas stretcher, along with a very minor scrape in the stripes of the background flag... Art is fragile!
Harkens back to a painting I was doing for a cowboy when I was a 19-year-old student that fell victim to a very large speaker attached to a wall. Apparently, loud music can cause speakers to come lose from their moorings, and well, suffice to say, my cowboy friend really didn't believe my story of the 10-inch rip right through the center of the half-finished canvas!
So here's the final, awaiting curing for varnish. If you know this guy (Papa Bear?), give him a holler for me. I can imagine somehow raising a few bucks for veterans with a cameo appearance of him and his best friend! I'd even spring for a giclée reproduction as model compensation!
UPDATE: I found Papa Bear! Jack B. had friends in the Tampa Bay area that knew him from church.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
In the Meantime...
So, while I wait for the paint to dry in different regions of the biker-guy-and-dog, something else needs to be ongoing! Held up a just little on the hand study -- reconsidering background options. Undecided. Bored?
In the meantime, here's a new start from old reference images of a few years back, combined with the Italian countryside outside of Florence, as photographed from a moving bus by a traveling companion. The sheeted-figure-image is from a photo shoot back when I was only considering painting again, but still invested my creative time into journals with ideas, sketches and photo concepts.
Premise behind the painting: An homage to Kit Williams, an English illustrator/painter/author. Trying to invoke the same feel as his beautiful children's book imagery, along with an Italian Renaissance fresco-feel for good measure!
A Dreamer Lies on Tuscan Sheets...
Life-size canvas; first layer of underpainting.
Oh, and an update on a partner to the green Sweet Gum Ball painting; an autumnal version of one.
In the meantime, here's a new start from old reference images of a few years back, combined with the Italian countryside outside of Florence, as photographed from a moving bus by a traveling companion. The sheeted-figure-image is from a photo shoot back when I was only considering painting again, but still invested my creative time into journals with ideas, sketches and photo concepts.
Premise behind the painting: An homage to Kit Williams, an English illustrator/painter/author. Trying to invoke the same feel as his beautiful children's book imagery, along with an Italian Renaissance fresco-feel for good measure!
A Dreamer Lies on Tuscan Sheets...
Life-size canvas; first layer of underpainting.
Oh, and an update on a partner to the green Sweet Gum Ball painting; an autumnal version of one.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Hard to Be Soft
Went to watch a friend in a band play on a Saturday at a biker bar. This vet biker kept his best friend close by. Turns out to be a great chick magnet, too.
A few more hours into this painting, and the first wash is complete...
Next pass will address the fine lettering of the patches — a task for sure, that will challenge old sign painting skills. Oh, did I not mention that part of my work history? After the lettering, my final pass will comb the canvas from various perspectives for any visual snags. Not long now! Ah, but summer is getting in the way! Must. Enjoy.
A few more hours into this painting, and the first wash is complete...
Next pass will address the fine lettering of the patches — a task for sure, that will challenge old sign painting skills. Oh, did I not mention that part of my work history? After the lettering, my final pass will comb the canvas from various perspectives for any visual snags. Not long now! Ah, but summer is getting in the way! Must. Enjoy.
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