I paint on shaped stretchers which I build. The shapes choose themselves and are realized upon completion.
I paint with high tech Acrylic Polymers. Components such as "silica, "65% high gloss," "thickener" and "dispersion," (colors.) These, when mixed, form paint that has many characteristics; high gloss, flat, transparent, opaque, quality of thickness, pigment content and hue.
I never know what a painting will look like until it is finished. Each painting teaches me, directing my thoughts to the next painting thus growth through looking.
Painting is a physical and mental activity. There is no way to describe the feeling one gets looking at a body of work years in the making. For me, the growth I see from piece to piece is my catalyst to future mental growth, so I paint.
-- Janet S. Ruskin --
A respected colleague and alum of the Art World, Janet Ruskin contemporary artist, passed in 2004 at the age of 45.
During her life she made statements using her artistic abilities. Using the avenue to express what was being suppressed for so long. She tried to tell people what she knew was truth but couldn't express it in words. By using her natural ability she was able to let others know. But in retrospect, one wonders if those truths were looked at only as a work of art, technique, subject matter and so and not statements...For instance, at the age of 17 she created "Lady In Red." A provocative piece for such a young person. As you "look" at it you can be "educated" to see truth of the "history" of the mocking of woman, the metaphors that are used in today's language to put down, and yet you can see her stance that woman is strong...(see below) "Lady In Red" has recently been acquired by The Housatonic Museum of Art.
"Looking is the key." How true. Isn't that what we do on a daily basis? Looking, looking, looking. Whether it is looking at birds in the tree outside your kitchen window first thing in the morning; looking as we drive to our destination; looking at the stars and moon at night; looking at ourselves in a mirror. These are looks that take place throughout one's day, perhaps a few times a day. However, when looking at art work some of us do not take in what is there, some of us decide immediately "it isn't good art" - is it because the piece struck a nerve, our inner core? Think about it!
That is what Janet had been saying all the while she created..."Art is education is history..." think about it for she is telling us to LOOK. She continues to teach us to LOOK because there is more to a table than a top and four legs - the molecules, the energy that compose it; there is more to a shape than what pleases the eye - the angles, the curves; there is more.... And, if it struck your inner core perhaps it is bringing to the forefront something you have forgotten about - history; perhaps it is teaching you that there is more to life than what is now - education; perhaps it is time to stop, look, listen, enjoy life...
Each piece stirs something inside you - whether it is your mind - thought; your sight - an optical illusion; your soul - inner core. When standing in front of "Canopy" one can feel and see the shade from the leaves enveloping you, giving you a sense of peace.
Look at "Sway" - you find yourself going with the flow as it moves across the canvases.
And, "Hook", you tend to want to try to unlatch your clothing from being snagged.
When viewing "Boogie Man - 9/11/01" your thoughts go to that infamous day as your eyes see different events unfold and you feel in the deep wells of your gut, your soul, the fear and sadness. Not many artists can accomplish that as Janet has.
Her pieces she created for 9/11 are so stirring, chills run up your spine. Janet had submitted a proposal for Ground Zero during the call for artists.
In the letter she received from Mayor of New York City it states "...While redevelopment of the site is still in the early planning stages, we would like to maintain your proposal and make it available in a permanent archive at the New York City Department of Records and Information Services. At the appropriate time, this material will be shared with the official memorial selection panel for consideration. We believe this archive will become a unique "collective public memorial" that will commemorate the strength of our Great City in a meaningful and enduring manner."
To review her written proposal and see her concept for the 9/11 site visit SoBoBo during the month of July, you will see that parts of it seemed to have been intertwined with the final design...
Janet had a following. She had become quite accomplished and achieved more than most artists do during their life - from 1978 to 2003, Janet had had 19 solo shows; from 1979 to 2004 Janet had had 40 or so group shows.
Her works are placed in permanent collections in Patterson Museum, Patterson, NJ; Mid-Hudson Arts and Science Center, Poughkeepsie, NY; Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY; Long Island University, Southampton, NY.
Most recently, The Housatonic Museum of Art, Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, CT has acquired her work - The Museum has one of the most significant collections of any two-year college in the country and includes works by master artists such as Rodin, Picasso, Matisse, Miro and Chagall. Don't forget to visit the Museum to see Janet's works - "Slice", "Shattered - 9/11/01" and "Lady In Red."
