FAQs
Inspiration usually begins with energy rather than an image. Music is a huge part of it but so are moments from theater, film, travel, and living life. Sometimes, it’s a feeling that just has to be expressed creatively or a memory that refuses to leave.
My background in acting and directing taught me to pay attention to emotion beneath the surface - to tension, rhythm, silence and presence. The same instincts carry over into the paintings. I’m less interested in recreating something literal and more interested in capturing feelings people recognize even if they can’t explain them.
Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was creating and selling pieces as a child, long before I ever stepped onto a stage or film set. Even while working in theater and music - acting, directing and performing - visual art was always there in the background - constantly evolving alongside everything else.
Over time, all of those creative worlds began to influence one another. The performance, movement, story telling and music influenced the paintings, shaping the process into what it is today.
It really depends on the piece. Some paintings come together quickly - in a single surge of energy - while others develop over time through layers, color and texture. Because the work is highly textured, each piece is physically built up in stages, using heavy body acrylics on museum-grade canvases and layered materials. Parts of the paintings often need time to settle before the next layer can be added, which becomes part of the rhythm of the process itself.
Since the work is intuitive, I don’t force a painting to finish on a schedule. Music, inspiration and the emotional energy of a piece as it evolves all play a role in determining when a piece is complete. There is a magical moment when the painting finally feels resolved - when there is no need to add anything else.
Each piece is experienced more like music or performance - it differs by each individual - based on their own unique life experiences and feelings.
Abstract art works differently. Instead of recreating the outside world, it focuses more on emotion, movement, energy, texture, and response. It’s less about what you are looking at and more about what you experience while looking at it.
Where abstract art invites you to move inward toward feeling without a fixed reference point, realism or impressionism usually starts with something recognizable - a landscape or a person - and interprets it through color and brushwork.
For me, abstract painting is closer to music than storytelling. You don’t need to identify a specific object or “figure out” the painting for it to resonate. The combined elements of texture scale, color, movement and layering are meant to create a feeling first - something personal that can shift over time.
Music is where everything begins. Before the first brush stroke, there is usually a sound, a rhythm, a mood that I have been contemplating and am ready to step into. That instinct comes from years of performing - of being inside the energy of a song rather than observing it.
No, each painting has its own voice. Sometimes, it’s a single track looping for hours, sometimes it evolves into a full play list. Being actively involved in music - playing bass and singing with Stranger Strings and performing as the lead singer in Rushton Motel-A Doors Experience - keeps that connection very immediate. The music isn’t background - it’s an integral part of the process.
Absolutely. Each piece description includes a complete list of the music that shaped it. It enables collectors to immerse themselves in their artwork through multiple senses - of sight and sound.
Absolutely. Each piece description includes a complete list of the music that shaped it. It enables collectors to immerse themselves in their artwork through multiple senses - of sight and sound.
I naturally gravitate toward larger work. Years of working on stage and film sets probably play into that - thinking in terms of space, presence and something that holds attention. I also find that large scale paintings are ideal for today’s architectural trends toward open spaces and larger vaulted walls.
My favorite way to create is through commissions. Collaboration with clients is energizing - we discuss their space, scale, colors, overall feel - and even the music to accompany the creative process. A completed piece is truly a reflection of the collector’s personality.
My work is available through galleries, exhibitions or directly through Rushton Abstracts Gallery. Much of the available inventory can be viewed online at Rushtonabstracts.com; however, in-person viewing is recommended when possible to fully appreciate the size and textures of the pieces. Private viewings also are easily available by calling the Gallery. Professional shipping is available worldwide.
My work is built with longevity in mind, using high quality paints and museum-grade canvases. Keep them o9ut of prolonged direct sunlight and in a stable environment. A light dusting with a dry cloth is all they need - no water or cleaning products - especially with a textured surface.
Rushton Abstracts Gallery is located at 1101 N. Main St., Ste. 201, High Point, NC 27265. The Gallery space is a unique fusion of music and art, with Tim Fogarty Music and a live music rehearsal stage in the same space. Color and sound coming together under one artistic umbrella. Hours vary by music education scheduling; however, private art viewings can be scheduled easily by calling (336) 687-0223 or by email to rushtoncreative@gmail.com.