Today we’d like to introduce you to Clovis Rusk.
Hi Clovis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
College: University of Tampa, Bachelor of Fine Arts 1978
Career: Communications Manager, 1978–2013, Southwest Florida Water Management District
Post-retirement: Fine artist, figurative realist painter. Various awards at central Florida regional art exhibitions.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Raised in a blue-collar environment, my needs have always been met, and expectations, rationally tempered. I’ve been very fortunate to have developed skills, and nurtured my “talents” since childhood. I am very fortunate to have been well-received by the art community since I began painting again in 2015 after a 35-year hiatus.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Even though I was fine arts major (painting/photography BFA, 1978), a commercial art correpondence course during high school (remember the matchbook covers, “Draw the Pirate”?) served as the basis for my career as a graphic artist. My career spannned a significant period before computers; the introduction of PCs (especially Macintosh); the advent of desktop publishing; and finally, the world-wide web. Upon retirement, I was only happy to jump the fast-moving train of tech, and get back to the analog: painting.
My paintings are mostly large-scale figurative realism of family, friends and clients. My best (and favorite) works are created strictly for myself. My ability to capture realism convincingly and convey an odd sense of “otherness” seems to call attention to my artworks. I am still in a very early stage in my artistic development, as I personally see it.
I am not a “high-output” creator, as I am in the fortunate position few artists share, with respect to income requirements. I discontinued participation in regional art competitions after the pandemic. I learned that, not unlike much of society, the art world has its share of human bias and cliques. The demand of prepping for shows, I felt, created output that was not personally motivated or inspired. I am fortunate to be casual about my productivity, and have been criticized for having few aspirations beyond my current status. But I am immensely satisfied, and a happy, though quiet and sombre kinda guy!
Any big plans?
My goals are to continue my sole aspiration of creating original paintings that are inspired.
My best works are a materialization of mental images that randomly fix themselves in my mind. I have been a life-long songwriter, and not unlike the previsualization of my art, I typically hear a song in my head before bringing it into being, unforced.
I equate such experiences with living in a realm of metaphoric butterflies, and simply netting my catch.
Admittedly, awaiting for such inspiration can be counterproductive for most. But I am never one to force nature, but to instead, rely on its natural rhythms to sustain me, free from want.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://clovisdean.blogspot.com
- Instagram: @clovisdean
Image Credits
All images by Clovis Dean Rusk
