Alan Rutherford knew from a very early age what he wanted to be when he grew up. He was about nine years old when he enthusiastically set his career path for creative pursuits namely painting and drawing. Watercolors, pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, pastels and later acrylics became his mediums of choice. Alan received training from OCA, George Brown, and St. Clair College in Windsor. Mr. Rutherford operated a studio gallery for more than twenty years in downtown Toronto; his works are in private collections around the world.
Alan recently was commissioned to produce drawings for the Michener Institutes 50th anniversary and later was included in a panel of judges for a mural to be produced by OCAD students.
To this day the passion builds. Alan has taught privately throughout his life and never takes for granted the look in a student’s eye when something clicks in and another step in their creative journey is gained. Mr. Rutherford doesn’t believe there is a wrong way to create art just a different approach though he feels that there should be a thorough understanding of the medium that the artist employs in the production of a given work The more familiar an artist becomes with a medium the closer he or she is to it’s mastery.
Alan derives the inspiration for his works directly from physical and psychological nature. Some works are purely realist and are painted for the simple joy of exploring nature in all its wonders. Surrealism has always played a large role in the genres of art that Alan works in. There is something intriguing about the mysteries of the subconscious mind that Alan finds irresistible and it’s a lot of fun to be non-objective as well. Rutherford’s main project however is something he titled “Philoism” this is a genre that is based in philosophy where both sides of a topic are explored, a narrative is written and a painting based on that narrative is produced. Paintings done in this style appear surreal but surrealism is non-objective “Philoism” has a distinct reason for the elements contained therein.
If you would like to view more of Alan’s works you can explore his website at www.artistalanrutherford.com
At Art One Academy Alan teaches Watercolors, Pastel Drawing and Pencil Drawing.
Alan’s works:
