Every week ArtisticMoods invites an artist to tell us something about the ambitions behind their art. This week we give the word to Shari Weschler Rubeck, who explains how her stunning painting series each focus on different, fascinating subjects:
“Working in series that materialize simultaneously, my imagery is primarily figural in nature. These figures represent all of us – humans and humanness. Some pieces are more symbolic of my own self and direct experiences, while others are observations from distant perspectives.
Fascinated by the human psyche, my Ego paintings ultimately shifted to the Alter Ego. The first Alter Ego portrays a human wearing a bunni mask or a bunni wearing a human – there is some ambiguity. We are all mask wearers of vast meaning, purpose & backstage mystery.
Animals are present in my thoughts, dreams and work and are my connection to the subtle workings of the world. They are magical, intuitive, fierce and connected and make wonderful story tellers. The ubiquitous Bunni characters, with their silly but slightly cynical senses of humor, became my visual narrators and continue to do so at random. He or She is in a mood, communicating a specific experience. They are metaphorical messengers who relate to us easily, begging for us to look at ourselves and perhaps find humor in the serious.”
New Beginning is where my obsession lies presently. This expanding body of work deals with the future direction of ‘Us’; how we are communicating, connecting & disconnecting. We are transforming – rapidly merging biology and technology. I envision a divide in our human race where some link in to a technological world so extreme and others choose or are forced, to hide within what little nature remains.
I fluctuate between giving color & detail to the areas surrounding my characters and leaving them alone in their space. Negative space is carefully considered and expresses tension, while also allowing for areas of visual repose.
Remarkable Women was inspired by the strength of women during the age of Tudor and how they related to modern day women and motherhood. In Odd Women, figures are leaning, almost falling. Missing limbs and strange gazes convey an uncertainty correlating with my diagnosis of MS in 2008.
Shari Weschler Rubeck earned her BFA at the Maryland Institute College of art in 1992, with a Major in Painting and a Minor in Art History. Her beautiful works are exhibited in various galleries across the U.S.
Website: www.artinmind.org
Also on: Twitter, Blue Canvas & Facebook
New Beginning Series
EGOS series
BUNNIES series
Circus Freaks and Tuned In series
Odd, In, Remarkable Women series
These are fascinating images. I find myself creating a story for each piece in mind. I think some artists have a natural talent for telling stories. Shari Weschler Rubeck is obviously one of those people!