The “Journey” is the point
Published Thursday, July 02, 2009 11:43 AM
By Helen K. Beacham
Summerville Journal Scene ®
Art Central Gallery’s July “Artist of the Month” is Renee Bruce, who is one of the original founding members of the gallery. Q: Renee, tell us about your current body of work entitled “Journeys,” which will hang in the display window of Art Central Gallery during July. RB: I came across a painting that I had forgotten about. It was a path into the woods, with lots of trees, color and sunshine. It reminded me so much of my inner life at this time — a journey to somewhere unknown. Trees are among my favorite subject matter, so I started thinking of painting paths that would take me into their presence. As the next painting developed, I realized that the season had shifted; that led me to paint the other two seasons as well. These four paintings are about life — going home, stepping into the unknown, noticing my surroundings — and the realization that the Journey is the point. Q: I know you’re a writer, as well as a painter. Have you been able to “marry” the two? RB: I’ve enjoyed writing about my fellow painters for the Summerville Artist Guild newsletter. Artists are interesting folks, and each one has a story to tell. Q: How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were? RB: The age I am now, whatever that is! Q: Next to whose easel would you have liked to sit and watch every stroke? RB: Vincent Van Gogh, without a doubt. His paintings have such expressive brushstrokes and blank canvas showing through. He must have worked very quickly. I’d like to have seen his palette, the colors he used and how he mixed them. Q: What’s next for Renee? RB: My life is a journey and the journey is the point. I don’t know what’s next and I’m OK with that. What’s important is that my journey is good today. Q: What is your favorite place in all the world? RB: My street is lined with live oak trees and every time I see them I smile. What a great place to live. My second favorite is West Virginia — I was born there and seem to have a connection with that land. Q: Have you ever painted anything controversial? What was it about? RB: One of my paintings was a self-portrait about me not being able to find anything but “lemons” in my closet. Guess I was having a wardrobe crisis that day. Anyway, my friend took offense to the way I portrayed myself in the painting — too much truth for him — but I was OK with it. I still have that painting somewhere. Q: What are three words that describe your art? RB: Today, my answer is: simple, happy, inviting. Q: What place gives you the most inspiration for paintings? RB: Most landscapes — I’m fascinated by the colors, the light, the sky, clouds. Q: Who inspires you most to be better than you are? RB: The children in my life. Just knowing they are watching, makes me try harder. Q: What color is imagination? RB: Today it is yellow-orange. Q: Have you ever painted something that you didn’t want to sell? RB: I have a painting of my children exploring the water at Cade’s Cove in Tennessee. Anyone might appreciate a painting of children having fun in the water, but for me it is a wonderful reminder of a beautiful day, and, now that they are grown, of how my children were as youngsters. Q: How does your past make you a better painter today? RB: I’m old enough now to think more about why I do what I do. I paint what inspires me, not just what might sell faster. I keep learning because I want to learn, not because someone said to do it. I do my deepest thinking through art.
Summerville Journal Scene ®
Art Central Gallery’s July “Artist of the Month” is Renee Bruce, who is one of the original founding members of the gallery. Q: Renee, tell us about your current body of work entitled “Journeys,” which will hang in the display window of Art Central Gallery during July. RB: I came across a painting that I had forgotten about. It was a path into the woods, with lots of trees, color and sunshine. It reminded me so much of my inner life at this time — a journey to somewhere unknown. Trees are among my favorite subject matter, so I started thinking of painting paths that would take me into their presence. As the next painting developed, I realized that the season had shifted; that led me to paint the other two seasons as well. These four paintings are about life — going home, stepping into the unknown, noticing my surroundings — and the realization that the Journey is the point. Q: I know you’re a writer, as well as a painter. Have you been able to “marry” the two? RB: I’ve enjoyed writing about my fellow painters for the Summerville Artist Guild newsletter. Artists are interesting folks, and each one has a story to tell. Q: How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were? RB: The age I am now, whatever that is! Q: Next to whose easel would you have liked to sit and watch every stroke? RB: Vincent Van Gogh, without a doubt. His paintings have such expressive brushstrokes and blank canvas showing through. He must have worked very quickly. I’d like to have seen his palette, the colors he used and how he mixed them. Q: What’s next for Renee? RB: My life is a journey and the journey is the point. I don’t know what’s next and I’m OK with that. What’s important is that my journey is good today. Q: What is your favorite place in all the world? RB: My street is lined with live oak trees and every time I see them I smile. What a great place to live. My second favorite is West Virginia — I was born there and seem to have a connection with that land. Q: Have you ever painted anything controversial? What was it about? RB: One of my paintings was a self-portrait about me not being able to find anything but “lemons” in my closet. Guess I was having a wardrobe crisis that day. Anyway, my friend took offense to the way I portrayed myself in the painting — too much truth for him — but I was OK with it. I still have that painting somewhere. Q: What are three words that describe your art? RB: Today, my answer is: simple, happy, inviting. Q: What place gives you the most inspiration for paintings? RB: Most landscapes — I’m fascinated by the colors, the light, the sky, clouds. Q: Who inspires you most to be better than you are? RB: The children in my life. Just knowing they are watching, makes me try harder. Q: What color is imagination? RB: Today it is yellow-orange. Q: Have you ever painted something that you didn’t want to sell? RB: I have a painting of my children exploring the water at Cade’s Cove in Tennessee. Anyone might appreciate a painting of children having fun in the water, but for me it is a wonderful reminder of a beautiful day, and, now that they are grown, of how my children were as youngsters. Q: How does your past make you a better painter today? RB: I’m old enough now to think more about why I do what I do. I paint what inspires me, not just what might sell faster. I keep learning because I want to learn, not because someone said to do it. I do my deepest thinking through art.
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