Issue 1 Artist Spotlight | Cindy Ruskin
C+B: Tell us about yourself, Cindy!
CR: I failed handwriting in elementary school because I pressed so hard that I made holes in the paper. And I couldn't draw no matter how hard I tried. As a young teen, I was sent to a special after-school program for people with clinical motor skill disorder (dyspraxia). Part of my creativity comes from having to find ways around my profound lack of coordination and rhythm. Mostly, I read a lot growing up. Animation was my first true love and making hand-drawn animated films forced me to draw. The first time I saw my quirky little character come alive and skateboard across the screen, I was smitten. I still love hand-drawn animation but now work primarily in oils and mixed-media. I think of myself as an activist and an artist, though those two parts of my life are often separate. My activism has led to many life-changing experiences that have affected me deeply. When I was in college, I co-founded the Harvard-Radcliffe Southern Africa Solidarity Committee that spearheaded the anti-apartheid divestiture movement on college campuses. While living in San Francisco, I wrote the first book about the AIDS Quilt, "The Quilt: Stories from the Names Project," which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. I also co-wrote the Academy-Award-winning HBO documentary, COMMON THREADS: Stories from the Quilt. When I moved to New York City I worked on several art projects with the low-income children in my neighborhood, including 20 years as a teaching artist at Avenues for Justice, an alternative to prison program for teenagers who have committed crimes. It's been difficult for me to reconcile these two parts of my life. Because of Covid, I unexpectedly found myself isolated and no longer able to participate in community activities. So I focused on painting exclusively, more than any other time in my life. My work has benefited from this time of total immersion and reflection. Every day, I wake up excited to create and to explore new worlds through my art.
C+B: What is one quote that inspires you and informs your work?
CR: "And to the Forest I go to lose my mind and find my Soul."
-- naturalist John Muir
When I paint, time stops and for hours I'm able hold onto that moment between the past and the future. I find stillness and peace in this prolonged present. By surrendering to the mystery of not knowing what's coming next and by letting go of the limitations of my body and the real world, I can go anywhere.
Its Right of Dew, 4x4, oil
Original artwork ©Cindy Ruskin
Cindy Ruskin
Ideal creative retreat: Pre-Covid, I dreamed about a remote retreat in the Swiss Alps or on a faraway Island. But now after 18 months of isolation, I fantasize about a fellowship at a university -- a place where there's lots of conversation about books, the arts, history and philosophy with scholars and artists from around the world. I'd use the stimulus to take my art in new, unexpected directions.
Currently inspired by: Ebony Patterson #ebonypatterson, Cecily Brown, Kerry James Walker, Kara Walker, Hiba Schahbaz @hiba_schahbaz , Amy Cutler @cutler_amy,
Hernan Bas @hernanbas, Titus Kaphar,
Genieve Figgis #genevievefiggis,
Sanya Kantarovsky #sanyakantarovsky,
Karin Miller @karin.miller.visualart
Valery Hegarty #valeryhegarty,
Tara Donovan, JeeYoung Lee,
Caroline Leaf's animation,
Kendal Murray , Lubaina Himid,
Marcel Dzama, Paula Rego @paularegostudio,
Beth Katleman @bethkatleman,
Jenny Brown @jennybrownart
Allison E. Moyers @thepoetpaints
Heather Martindale @hmartindale_art
Asma Kazi @a5mak,
Joyce Seymore
I've listed living artists only but I have to mention my favorites Florine Stettheimer and Charlotte Solomon.
