CV/Bio
Bio
Edward A. Rudis
b. 1972 Chicago, Illinois
I moved to Washinton 1.5 yrs. ago and currently reside in Fox Island, WA
Both of my parents were born in Chicago and grew up on the south side of the city in the Bridgeport neighborhood. My father eventuallymoved our family into a small NW Indiana farming community called Demotte. I was 4 years old or so. Here I grew up and graduated high school. I stayed in Indiana until I was 22 years old, going in and out of college without really taking a grasp on any one major. It wasn't until I moved to Florida at the age of 23 that I started to focus again on my art, something I had not concentrated on since high school. Art and painting never were seen as a real career choice growing up and I guess I didn't really know how to pursue this livelihood. When I turned 25 I made the decision to start taking art more seriously. It made me happy. I wasn't happy with the other work I was doing and continued to find myself drawing and painting small pieces with my free time. This is when I decided that I was going to pursue my passion for art and painting; and do whatever it takes, however long it takes, to make art my livelihood. Around this time, I started taking classes at Daytona Beach Community College. I also had a full time day job at a local glass shop cutting and installing all types of flat glass, a trade I learned after high school. I thought Graphic Design would be a good option before deciding I really didn't want to sit behind a computer all day building layouts for an ad agency. So, I focused on my studio classes, such as painting, drawing and photography. I read as many books as I could, learning about how the great artists of our time pursued their passion. A big influence for me has been Willem de Kooning and the whole New York abstract scene that was happening during that time. Abstract Expressionist has given me so much inspiration to keep moving forward and follow my true inner expression. I never obtained a degree but have had much experience learning from some wonderful instructors who also were working artists themselves. So, I turned 28 and my brother invited me back to Chicago to work for his roofing company as a project estimator. I gladly accepted, figuring a change of scenery and being around some old friends would be good for me and I'd be back in the city where things were happening. This new job absorbed most of my energy and I soon felt that I didn't have the time I wanted to work on my art. After two years, I turned 30 and quite my roofing gig. This took more time to develop than I expected and I plunged into bankruptcy, during which I learned a great deal about how to survive. I continue on this path of being a self-sufficient artist. I feel that my painting is just developing, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life painting and sharing with the world the things I produce. Life is what you make it: It's not always easy, but it is a constant evolution of thought and action which is always taking place. I am learning to keep my mental energy aligned to produce a comfortable reality for myself. The big picture is always on my mind and I continue to work in that direction of being the best painter that I can be.
Education
1990: Graduated from Kankakee Valley High School, Wheatfield, Indiana
1996-1998: Daytona Beach Community College, Daytona Beach, Florida : No formal degree obtained
(Studied Graphic Design, Photography, Architecture, Painting and Drawing)
I have participated in many art shows throughout the past 15 yrs. Most recently with the Warren Knapp Gallery in the Capital Hill Neighborhood of Seattle, WA. where I had work displayed for 6 months in 2011.
www.warrenknapp.com
I have also studied at the Zhou B. Art Center on the Southside of Chicago in 2010 where I mentored under established Abstract Expressionist Carl Virgo and Contemporary Artist Nick Depeder who has been the artist assistant to the world reknown Zhou Brothers.
2009
Co-Prosperity Sphere “Works on Cardboard”
Chicago, Illinois
2008
The Grind Cafe
Chicago, Illinois
2007
“Artistic Wanderings” Juried Exhibition
Norwich Arts Council, Norwich, CT.
Derby on the Green
Valley Arts Council, Shelton CT.
2004-2005
Group Show- “Halloween Extravaganza”
“A” Southside Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
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