William Rushton, "Snapshots"

WILLIAM RUSHTON

SNAPSHOTS

Whether figurative or landscape, my painting has always used a colorist’s approach. At times I will work plein-air to refresh my senses. Studio and plein-air work are complementary to the current abstract and figurative direction my work occupies. Both figure and landscape serve as points of departure for “play”.

I paint in order to find a painting, the subject is not always important.

Surrendering and listening to what the painting is telling me is paramount. The subject itself often feels like a necessary evil, not sacred, yet serving as a temporary way of organizing the chaos of shapes, colors and values.

I do not begin a painting with a drawing, as it seems akin to a coloring book experience. It is important for me to keep the idea or image in the back of my mind for as long as possible and let the painting discover itself. This helps the dialogue between the painting and myself. It can feel like an archaeological dig into the conscious and unconscious.

Spontaneous occurrences are the lifeblood of my art, and form new directions. Getting lost in this free process becomes a sacred and timeless place. I don’t always know where it is all going, but I know how to get there. This facilitates endless discoveries and new directions that keep me inspired. The most satisfying work is done when I paint faster than I can think – this holds the timeless space to the painting's conclusion.

WILLIAM RUSHTON

Git Along acrylic on canvas 16" x 20"

Reminisce oil on panel 18" x 18"

Our Tree oil on canvas 24" x 24"

Bus Stop acrylic on canvas 24" x 24"

Photo Bomber acrylic on canvas 36" x 36"

TOP LEFT: Lady in Chair gouache and oil pastel on paper 9.5" x 9.5"

BOTTOM LEFT: Service gouache and oil pastel on paper 10" x 9.5"

TOP RIGHT: Tom gouache on paper 9.5" x 9.5"

BOTTOM RIGHT: Sweets oil and oil pastel on paper 10" x 9.5"

Picnic acrylic on canvas 30" x 30"

On Duty acrylic on canvas 30" x 30"

Night Surf acrylic on canvas 16" x 20"

Tall Tales acrylic on canvas 16" x 20"

Dinner for Two acrylic on canvas 20" x 16"

Red Line oil on canvas 18" x 14"

A Jump for Joy oil on canvas 60" x 48"

detail

What Are You Doing acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"

Between Places oil on panel 30" x 30"

Neighbors oil on canvas 60" x 48"

detail

Surfin' Dog oil on panel 30" x 30"

Fun oil on canvas 24" x 24"

Selfie oil on panel 24" x 24"

West oil on canvas 36" x 36"