Thomas Rush
  • Paintings
    • Recent Paintings
    • Selected Paintings
    • Still Life Series 2019–2025
    • ​Paintings 2015–2019
    • Harmony in Chaos Period 2006–2013
    • SF/Bolinas 2003–2006
    • France 2000–2002
    • Guadalajara Period 1991–1996
    • Some Early Paintings
  • Photography
  • Sculptures
  • On Making Art
  • About the Artist
  • Contact

Painter            Writer           Photographer          Musician

Artist Statements:
As far as I am concerned, a painting speaks for itself.
What is the use of giving explanations when all is said and done? 
 
—Pablo Picasso


If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint. 
—Edward Hopper


"A consistent body of work” is convenient as a marketing ploy or academic constraint. It has nothing to do with an artist’s creativity or genius.
—Thomas Rush

Distrust any enterprise that requires new clothes.
—Henri David Thoreau
Picture
Self-Portrait with Ripped-Out Stomach-(1990-San Francisco), 40x36irreg, Oil on coffee-bean bag
Picture
At Studio 607, 2023 [Photo: Antonio Salgado]
Picture
At San Francisco Art Institute 1979 [Photo Mark Sterne]
Picture
In backyard studio, Bolinas CA 2004 [Photo George Post]
Picture
At Studio 208 Pendleton Art Center 2017 (Photo Joel Selmeir)

1964 First abstract paintings: watercolors (lost) [Cincinnati]
1965–69 Abstract pen and ink drawings [New York City, San Francisco, Cincinnati]
1967 First oil painting: abstract (lost) [Mendocino, California]
197
1-1973 Began painting in earnest [San Francisco]
1976–77 Moved to the South of France to paint, hoping to be inspired by its famous genius loci
1979–80 Created underground posters and booklets in collaboration with M. S. and K. R.; also color-xerox postcards [San Francisco]
1979–80 Painting and Drawing major, San Francisco Art Institute [San Francisco}
1980 Photography period began—Art photography and headshots of entertainers [San Francisco]
1985–1990 Studied Theater Set Design at San Francisco State University (SFSU) [San Francisco]
1987 SFSU Players Club Award for Best Set Design (Endgame by Samuel Beckett) [San Francisco]
1987-1988 SFSU Book Award for Set Design (Endgame by Beckett & The Happy Hunter by Feydeau) [San Francisco]
1986–88 Organized and photographed theatrical art collection for Imago; created Imago's brochure [San Francisco]
1987–89 Scenic Painter at SFSU [San Francisco]
1993–1996 Immersive painting period [Guadalajara, Mexico]
1994 Group exhibition [Guadalajara, Mexico]
1995 Solo exhibition [Guadalajara, Mexico]

1996 U. S. painting exhibitions begin

​
EDUCATION:
San Francisco State University, San Francisco CA: 
            B.A., Theater Tech, 1990, summa cum laude
San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco CA: 

            Painting and Drawing Studies, 1979-1980
Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico: 
            Spanish Language and Mexican Cultural Studies, 1991–1994


PAINTINGS IN COLLECTIONS:
USA
San Francisco CA         Los Angeles CA          Alameda CA                Richmond CA
Petaluma CA                 Aliso Viejo, CA            Vallejo CA                 
Oakland CA
Cincinnati OH              Yellow Springs OH      Villa Hills KY              Ft. Thomas KY
LaPorte CO                    
Livermore CO              Seattle WA                  Orlando FL
Alexandria VA              St. John USVI               St. Croix USVI              
                                                                      
EUROPE  
Paris, France                Seillans, France           Fayence, France         Callian, France
Annecy, France             London, UK                   Oxshott, UK                 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Madrid, Spain           
 
LATIN AMERICA
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico            Melaque, Jalisco, Mexico          
Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
© 1976-2025 Thomas Rush. All rights reserved.
  • Paintings
    • Recent Paintings
    • Selected Paintings
    • Still Life Series 2019–2025
    • ​Paintings 2015–2019
    • Harmony in Chaos Period 2006–2013
    • SF/Bolinas 2003–2006
    • France 2000–2002
    • Guadalajara Period 1991–1996
    • Some Early Paintings
  • Photography
  • Sculptures
  • On Making Art
  • About the Artist
  • Contact