Meet the local artist: Al Rubin

Al’s work is on a display and for sale in Krug till the end of the month.

About the Artist  

Al Rubin’s lifelong passion for painting is being realized ‘later-in-life’. From an early age he began drawing and won a scholarship to attend the Art Institute of Chicago, but soon afterward had to put aside his art to assist family during hard financial times. After retiring from a successful Chicago retail career in 2002, he was finally able to dedicate himself to developing his skills and talent through self-study (completing over 300 paintings in 10 years). He attributes some of his best learning and techniques to the mentoring from the local chiaroscuro and still-life artist George Ceffalio. Al says of his painting, “I seek to capture beauty through color and the play of light. For me painting is something of a mystery – a combination of exhilaration, confusion, struggle, satisfaction, but always intriguing. Most important is to captivate the viewer by creating a mood or invoking emotion… bringing color to life that’s dazzling, delicious and seductive.” Al’s eclectic oil paintings reflect his love for color in a diversity if styles and motifs – from still-life to figurative and landscape; and from realism to impressionist and contemporary. His works have been displayed and sold in the gallery run by the Palette and Chisel Art Academy in downtown Chicago, and they are also part of private collections in the US and Canada. You are invited to experience a delightful ride and an astonishing exploration through his work. If a piece captures your heart, Al will be delighted, too.