Visual Artist  —  Writer  —  Musician

Artist Statements:

I paint what the painting tells me to paint.
—Thomas Rush

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 a convenient marketing ploy or academic constraint. It has nothing to do with an artist’s creativity or genius.
—Thomas Rush

In backyard studio, Bolinas CA 2004 [Photo George Post]

At San Francisco Art Institute 1979 [Photo Mark Sterne]

​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

CHRONOLOGY:
1964: First abstract paintings: watercolors (lost) [Cincinnati]
1965–69: Abstract pen and ink drawings [New York, NY; San Francisco, CA]
1967: First oil painting: abstract (lost) [Mendocino, CA]
1971-1973: 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]
1986: Scenic painter for Every Moment / The Island, Eureka Theater [San Francisco]
1986: Assistant Lighting Designer for Aunt Dan and Lemon, Magic Theater [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]
2000–2002: Painting in France, exhibiting in France, Belgium
1996–Present: Painting exhibitions in the U. S. [San Francisco, Cincinnati, Washington DC, etc.]

COLLECTIONS:
Paintings in collections in the USA, Europe, and Latin America.