2016 In Full Swing

"Been awhile," he wrote to himself, knowing full well the audience scope of his blog. But that's okay — this whole process of creating paintings can be like talking to one's self for long, long stretches of time.

Just now finishing up a month-long one-man show of my first works at the Michele Tuegel Contemporary gallery in St. Petersburg. Thanks to my many old friends — and new ones that attended out of curiosity — for your moral support and kind company at the show's opening!

Wrapping up my latest painting, "Uroboros and the Serpent Handler" (below) just moments ago; a few touch-ups and a varnish before my next appearance at the Art in the Park event in Brooksville, March 12 and 13. I'll be focused a little more on presentation this go-round. We'll see if that helps to create a viewer's psychological elevation of the works exhibited... Hope to see you there!

About Uroboros and the Serpent Handler

In a dry period of struggling with where to go, what to do, et cetera — all the things one does in the process of second-guessing one's creative self — I was sitting in the dark with coffee early one morning, when an image randomly appeared in my mind's eye: a nude figure (mine) was curled inside a box on a quilt. So I sketched it out, so as to not lose the thought, and immediately commenced conjuring a means to construct a box into which I ultimately crawled into, and, using the camera's self-timer, took a few images.

However... What was THAT all about?

I had no idea why the image seemed so arresting to me, yet meant absolutely nothing! I saw similarities in old masters paintings of the descension of Christ from the cross. As I commenced the painting, I was feeling doubts about a Christ image — especially since I was the model. I read much on the topic of artists throughout art history who modeled images of Christ after themselves. I mean, who is the most-available model to an artist, but himself? Finally after many discussions on the topic, I saw the trepidation of the concept in the eyes of friends and family. But I plodded onward. Finally, after testing a few of the wounds of crucifixion on the image, even I decided, "No way!" And so I investigated a geometric symbol within the square area of the composition, and decided a circle worked best, interweaving itself with the figure.

Uroboros: A circular symbol depicting a snake, or less commonly a dragon, swallowing its tail, as an emblem of wholeness or infinity.

1. 
   

A symbol of Ancient Egypt and India more than 400 years before Christ, the snake worked well for me. Coincidentally, I was reading an interesting website, The Bitter Southerner, whereupon I chanced on a story investigating a serpent-handling church on Sand Mountain in Alabama. In the painting was already an Appalachian quilt made by my Sand Mountain grandmother, Darcus Wade Rusk.

But as I near its completion, I have but one recommendation for other artists before embarking on a representation of a uroboros: Don't! That's a lot of snake scales to render, and there was as much study of Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake markings that went into this as there was general painting of the figure and quilt!

Later! (Likely MUCH later!)

Art Festivals Are Hard Work!

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.

Gallery Showing — So Soon!

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, 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.     organized by  ST. PETERSBURG ARTS ALLIANCE ARTWALK EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ++++++ CROPPED: Oil Paintings by Clovis Dean Rusk  On exhibition January 9 - February 27, 2016 Gallery Hours: Tues - Sat 11-6 pm  VISIT THE GALLERY WEBSITE ... and follow us on Instagram             Michele Tuegel Contemporary  INSPIRING YOUR LIFESTYLE AND HOMESTYLE      320 Central Avenue    |   St. Petersburg, FL 33701    |    727-823-1100

In Addition To Artwork...

...There's my other preoccupation: Original music. Here's a mini web-player of the songs our band, Those Unscrupulous Sunspots, have recorded:

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

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.)

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.

The postage stamp on the wall is my
4' by 4' painting, "Figure and Quilt."

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.