Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Stephen Ruckel.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Robert Stephen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always was illustrative as a child growing up. In school, I was pretty rambunctious and teachers would often cater to my hobby, so I wouldn’t distract others or otherwise somehow end up in trouble. My family constantly bought me little art kits to keep busy. By middle school, I had really started to realize this was a true passion I carried. I was in theater and art both where I began to exercise this as my true creative outlet. Besides acting on stage I often would help paint sets. I discovered my first great love of a Masters work in 7th grade art when my teacher introduced me to Henri Matisse and his cut paper. As a youngster, learning that your art didn’t have to be perfect to be considered good was a huge leap. By high school, I began exploring other extracurricular actives and strayed from traditional art with the stubborn standpoint of “I don’t wanna be told what to draw.” I constantly shared notebooks with friends and we would trade comic strips back and forth. I can recall in my World History course instead of taking traditional notes I just drew funny pictures of whatever we discussed in class.
While in high school, I took a chance and enrolled myself into an Advertising and Design class. This was my springboard into realizing there was a modern, real-world application for my art. Lets fast-forward a few years, as I mentioned in my young years I was pretty rambunctious, this transferred into my adolescence as criminal activities (we’ll leave that to my book someday.) Anyways, after some bumps in the road I was enrolled in the Art Institute of Dallas. There, I was exposed to an even broader array of art types and passions. On a 3d Animation track, I went through a number of traditional art class such as life drawing, 2d design fundamentals, color theory and so on… we took a multitude of art history, theory and appreciation classes. In our final years, we then focused on 3d programs with classes in 3d modelling, skinning and rigging, lighting, environmental design, motion graphics and character animation. I graduated with a Bachelors in Media Arts and Animation with a focus in Character Animation.
After graduation, I was at a lose with no real direction on what to do next. I eventually worked toward a graphic design job (the animation jobs were scarce and cut-throat) but one thing I did decide was I was going to dedicate a strong portion of my life to being able to call myself a painter. I had picked up the brush somewhere in Color Theory and continued exploring it Advanced Illustration but was becoming addicted. I’m by no way a pretty artist… if you need a over polished portrait to hang above your fireplace, you might wanna keep looking. I have a heavy hand and I pile mountains of paint on the canvas – more like sculpting with color. I love the Modern Art Movement and more especially Impressionism. I like to share moments and ideas in my work. Color is my passion and composition my most trusted friend. You can tell a story or simply evoke an array a emotional responses. You can trick peoples eyes and influence their thoughts just by showing them images. I believe there is an intimate moment while painting that the artist gets to share with their own work which is a version, half complete, that no one else will ever see. I combine my love of cartooning with the manipulation of advertising design and execution of the Modern Art Movement to become a self-proclaimed “Neo” Modern Impressionist (I just made that up haha, IDK what to call it, I just love to paint).
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has the road been smooth, Not at all! Besides just getting in my own way, it can be hard to stay motivated when your passion isn’t very lucrative. Honestly, I don’t know anyone who makes a living off just painting. I hold a job to pay my bills like a responsible adult but if I could wake up every day and just paint… that’d be the life. For an artist, when are you not struggling. A struggle to be noticed, to stay true to yourself and your passion and a struggle to legitimize your trade. Without thinking of a certain time I faced a specific struggle I would have to say the biggest one is the before mentioned, trying to be noticed. I know there is a mountain of far more talented people in this world!
Robert Stephen Ruckel – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I paint. I have hung some fun, “pop” art style pieces in bars and hair salons. I’ve done outdoor signage for a pub. My co-worker an I have worked on a large mural for a brew/pub. I’ve sold paintings to friends and acquaintances. I’ve entered in a few public art shows. And I work on private commissions. My 2 most noted accomplishments have been the mural in the brew/pub and my largest commissioned work for a patron living in Palm Spring, California. I can cartoon and create logos for you all day. As far as commissions go… as long as it’s not portraits. I love painting almost anything. What I bring is a heavy push on color and I enjoy reminding people there is an artist standing on the other side of that paint you stare at. So, if you need a pop, or something in your home or place of business to slap people in the eyes, call me!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I’m different. There are better people out there but no one does it like me. I pour myself into my work even when it’s something simple. This is my passion and my purpose. My dedication is what I’m most proud of.
Pricing:
- My commissions have sold from $20 to $10K, I can paint a headboard I found in the trash or hand stretch, quadruple primed Belgian-linen on a custom build frame… your choice.
- mural work $30-50 sq. foot (consultation required)
Contact Info:
- Website: stephenruckel.blogspot.com
- Email: ruckelstephen@gmail.com
- Instagram: ruckelart
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
