Introducing artist Rusty

Can you tell us your backstory and how you got into the art world?

I was born in London, then moved to the Kent coast in my teens where I did my Art Foundation course at UCA Canterbury. I went on to do Fashion at Westminster (University of London) then transferred my degree to Chelsea School of Art where I studied Textiles and Fine Art, specialising in print and graduating 2018.

I worked in London in a design business and teaching art to kids, but during the pandemic, I came back to the coast and started painting full-time, which is when my work started getting noticed by local galleries and creative commercial spaces.

My multidisciplinary approach has allowed me to combine techniques: textiles inform my use of pattern and texture, while some of my work in fashion has developed into a linear style and awareness of silhouette.

What influences your work?

Like most artists, my influences are multiple. My grandfather was a Royal College of Art trained painter in the 1950s and I grew up with many of his paintings around me – alongside other work; naive painting, sculpture and folk art collected by my parents so I guess the visual stimulus was always there as I grew up. Then, when I studied art, I was drawn to gestural, colourful and expressive work, Matisse, Alex Katz, Paula Moderhson Becker, Rothko, David Hockney amongst others…My other driver is the number of female artists who have played second fiddle over the course of Art History; I want my work to be loud and proud.

How would you describe your signature style and technique?

Gestural, bold, expressive, colourful, female.

We noticed you collaborated with Whistles to showcase your depiction of the female powerhouse. How did that collaboration came about?

Whistle’s Art Director, Kate Cannon, saw an example of my work in a shop in Deal, then bought two pieces from my Folkestone exhibition. Six months later, she asked me to collaborate on some large scale pieces for the windows of their flagship store in St Christopher’s Place.  It was a good fit with the Whistles brand, my inspiration was women who have walked the line between ideas of femininity/masculinity in fashion.

Are there any exhibitions or events you are planning for the next few months ahead?

I’m planning a trip to do a print-making residency in Lisbon in the next month which will be interesting to see what happens when I apply myself to a different environment, medium and materials and I’m really excited to go back to my foundations.

I have a few really exciting projects in the next year and a couple of collaborations. I’ve also been invited to exhibit again at the 2024 Folkestone Triennial.

What is the best advice you received as an artist?

Get on with it.

The inspiration happens when you get to work, rather than staring at the wall!