ruszel

At the age of 16, Jack Ruszel began his professional career in his father’s garage, building wood products and screen printing. In 1979, he and his father formed the successful partnership, Ruszel Woodworks.

Largely self-taught, both in business, and art, Jack has developed an appreciation of life long learning. He needed to move his dream of becoming a sculptor into reality. In 1999, Jack enrolled in a class at Solano College under the instruction of Marc Lancet, Professor of Fine Art. Jack was intrigued and inspired by the artistic mindfulness and strong work ethic demonstrated by Professor Lancet.

Jack now balances his business and sculpting, and developing his studio and home in the hills in Napa County. His love of nature, and passion for preserving a healthy and sustainable environment prompted him to purchase the rural property, where he currently lives in his tree house while he is designing a permanent off-grid, solar powered home and studio.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2002 Arts Benicia Gallery
“Woodward - Keepers of the Wood”
Juried by Robert Brady
June 8 – July 14. 2002

2002 Fairfield Center Gallery
“Made of Wood”
July 26 – August 31, 2002

2004 Arts Benicia Gallery
“The Art of a Community”
January – February 2004

2005 Arts Benicia Gallery
“The Art of a Community”
January 29 – February 27, 2005

Viewing a sunset, I am grateful, not only for the colors or grandeur, but for my capacity to be moved by such a display. I believe it is this human response to the magnificence of our world that, if cultivated, will be catalyst for our conversion from an all-consuming society to one of sustainability. Though my sculpting is very physical, requiring great energy and effort, the process allows my mind to move from the chaos of modern life, to a calmer focus. I experience awe as the form develops and becomes present. When I sculpt I am drawn in and fascinated, inspired by the play of light and shadow. My sculpture, my "work", is a kind of play that is inquisitive and explorative. As I play, I surprise myself. I work in ceramic, stone and other materials, yet I continually return to wood. The life in a piece of wood becomes apparent as the sculpture progresses. My sculptures large and small, are from inception, conceived on a grand scale. I find myself driven to work on increasingly larger pieces. Currently, I am exploring the connections between my earlier geometric forms and my more recent figurative sculptures.