R.I.P. Bill Wurster

My wife and I had a tenant for four years that unexpectedly decided to move out. He had been having some diabetes related health issues, and was acting kind of strange. He was sending me strange emails that were at times paranoid and other times like he was trying to connect in some way. He was not a person you could get close to, but I tried to make some sort of connection by sending him a link to this blog, he quickly replied saying that he doesn't read blogs.
Well, he eventually did read it and sent this as a reply: "Some of the humor is probably not too appreciated by some of the general public, but what the heck. I think putting your life out to dry in the public sector so people can watch your life unfold is a little hoakie."

Interesting point actually, but I am going to do it again, and finish by telling you that two days after moving out, Bill passed away. Even though I can't say we were close, his passing effected me pretty hard. The night he died, as he walked out of our house for the last time, there was something noticeably tired and sad about it. I knew he was sick, but I never thought that would be the last time I would see him.

It has been almost a month since his passing. Some of his friends were in town today from Detroit to go through his stuff and take care of business as they are the beneficiaries of his will.
Talking to them about Bill got me thinking that I should post something about him on the blog.

So, as this is a blog mostly about my art or my puffed up opinions on art, I will post some images of art that Bill used to do in his cluttered room.
He used to make beaded jewelry and little religious icons and other primitive pieces of artwork. He loved to comment on the paintings I would bring home and hang in the kitchen. He seemed to think I had a problem with objects in my paintings leaning to the right. Not sure I ever figured out what he was talking about. I started to think that he was the one with the problem, but he occasionally had some good criticisms.
Here are two small pieces he did for the Secret ArtWorks show two years ago.

Get Ya Some Learnin'

My next class starts very soon.
The extremely handsome fellow painting in the photo above will be your teacher. Sorry ladies, I am married, but don't let that stop you from taking it anyway.

Summer Landscape Painting Class [10 Saturdays, June 28 to Aug. 28 @ 10 AM - 1 PM]: Plein-Air is French for "in the open air.” Experience the pleasure of painting & seeing the world in a new way as you meet at various scenic parks around Cincinnati to learn to sketch & paint with oils. In case of rain, class will meet indoors or in parks with overhead cover. Details & directions to locations will be given in class. No experience necessary. Richard Luschek studied classical painting under Boston painter Paul Ingbretson for 3 years after earning his BFA degree with UC's DAAP program. In addition to working as an artist & maintaining his art studio, Richard has taught with the Art Academy of Cincinnati & currently teaches private classes in his studio. View his work @ www.richardluschek.com Tuition is $199 for the 10-week class #3715-01; does not include supplies. A list of supplies needed for the class provided with enrollment confirmation or @ www.uc.edu/ace/commu/PAINTING.mht. First class meets at artist's Eden Park studio, then at various parks. More info & register @ http://www.uc.edu/ace/noncreditreg/browseclasses.aspx?classid=_xx1, www.uc.edu/ace/noncreditreg/, richard_luschek@yahoo.com, & 513.479.3322

Red Tree Gallery

I got a painting juried in a show at the Red Tree Gallery. The show is called Out of the Blue, and is a themed show in which the painting had to have something, blue, be about blue, titled blue or possibly make you feel blue. I had a blue painting, with a blue title.

The show opens Friday, June 13th, 2008 from 6-9pm and runs June 9th through July 5th

Below is the painting in it's crazy frame, that I will have in the show. Hope you can stop in to see it in person and drink lots of coffee. I am hoping that this gallery/coffee shop will have tons of patrons all crazy hopped up on caffeine making spur of the moment rash decisions including buying this painting.

Back 2 Bach

As an update to this post, I thought I would post a photo that Linda Crank sent of the my work in this lovely space.

I am going to be showing a few new paintings at the College Hill Presbyterian Church. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the concert because my silly brother decided to get married that night. Too bad, as I am a fan of Bach, though he hasn't done anything new in years.
If you are interested, and you should be, the information is posted below.
College Hill Presbyterian Church
5742 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224
(513) 541-5676, Fax 541-1575 Directions

Part II of the Back 2 Bach concert series will be presented on June 7, 7 p.m. The first concert received an enthusiastic standing ovation. Four gifted pianists from CCM will perform Bach’s Concerto No. 6 in F Major, No. 7 in G Minor, No. 5 in F Minor and No. 2 in E Major. The concert will be preceded by a performance from young, talented pianists at 6:30 p.m. This evening of classical music will be complemented with an exhibition of classical art by two area oil painters, Richard Luschek and Linda Crank.