Ray Ruemmele
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Nicknamed the "Renaissance Man" by the late Italian philanthropist Donato
Montrelle, Ray’s passion for art was re-emerging when, in 2005, he set out to
explore Central and South America in search of inspiration and adventure. It
wasn’t until February 2006 while sailing the Amazon River in Brazil that Ray
reached the crossroads of the Rio Negro (Black River). It was here that he found
what he sought, "...The water ran black and golden for miles, side by side,
curved like a woman's body on canvas." It was then Ray decided to dedicate his
talent to discovery and interpretation of female beauty, and also to painting.
Ray has been successfully portraying human emotion, female form and
subconscious thought ever since. In May of 2007 he was the keynote speaker at
the Southwest Regional “Understanding Through Art” (U.T.A) recognition
ceremony and now holds an honorary board position with that organization. He
also belongs to ACORN and consults for the Heritage Foundation a relationship
with which facilitated a sitting with the Honorable Mr. Rumsfeld.
Please enjoy Ray’s art and, “…let it take you where you, here-to-fore, have been
too afraid to go.”
Who is Ray Rum?
Ray Rum is the ninth of ten children born through the
unlikely, yet very happy, marriage of an African warlord
and an award winning Parisian chef. Born on a cold
and gray Chicago morning in the ghetto, Ray was
raised jointly by loving parents and involved
neighbors. Ray began painting and drawing in the
second grade and continued painting through
elementary school – frequently winning local awards
and eventually winning the Grand Champion Award,
First Place, at the National Youth Artist Convention in
Cincinnati for a post-modern watercolor of President
Abraham Lincoln.
While in high school, Ray abandoned art as an
“unnecessary distraction from the real world,” which,
he would also record in his journal, “is too corrupt to
render.” He became actively involved in grass roots
politics throughout what would otherwise have been
his college youth. Eventually attaining a degree in
Anthropology from Ithaca University, Ray joined the
merchant marines in an effort to “…satisfy [his]
passion for all things worldly.” It was this passion for
wealth and adventure that resulted in a short stint as a
mercenary in Persia (Iran) shortly following the
Khomenei coup in 1979, and a related effort as a
Private in the French Foreign Legion. On returning
stateside, Ray became a high tech salesman in
Chicago. In the late 1990’s Ray turned his full attention
to Philanthropy – thus satisfying both his desire to,
once again, travel and also too feed people.
I only paint that which I must. There are things I am compelled to attempt to capture
through the muse of oils and canvas. I enjoy painting quickly and with the music of
my choice (usually Lenard Cohen’s early work these days), utilizing a northern
exposure in my Arizona studio. In my place in Carmel, I enjoy an eastern light and the
cool sea breeze.
I paint only on weekends, usually about four hour sessions during the morning
hours. My weekdays are fully committed to my philanthropic endeavors. I paint in
the mornings as by the afternoon I am too full of angst ,self loathing and anger at the
world to be in a truly creative flow. I prepare my canvas with dark gesso color and
use several layers of paint to obtain a textured feel to my painting. The heavy texture
best reflects the heaviness of the post modern human condition. I use a primary
palate of white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, payne grey, aquamarine blue, cadmium
orange light naples yellow and olive green. I use this palette to cover the range of
darkness and the dim light of human emotion. I use large canvases usually 3 feet by
four feet, or three by five feet. The size of the paintings reflects the escalating scale
of the need these days to escape reality through artistic expression.
I choose my subjects from people I know and often times from photos in magazines. I
find a good range of subjects in GQ, Esquire and the Harvard Business Review.
Influences:
Modigliani, Van Gough, Picasso, VanDongen, Jackie Fenlon* & Ancient Incan Art.
* editors note = Jackie Fenlon was my mentally challenged thirty something Aunt
who would harshly criticize and physically attack me and my siblings for coloring
outside the lines of coloring books often while eating raw hotdogs ( at times a
whole pack in one sitting) in my early childhood. She worked for the City of Chicago
for over 20 years, but was actually very mentally challenged. Her long career at the
City of Chicago can be attributed to the progressive attitude displayed in Chicago in
the mid 60s or perhaps more precisely the Fenlon family’s deep political connections
to then Mayor Daley. My parents often used her as a sitter while they were binging
on Lancers wine. Through Aunt Jackie harsh critics I managed to develop a thick
skin for criticism and a lack of regard for coloring within the lines. Thank you Aunt
Jackie !
| Artistic Philosophy for Post Modern Art in a Modern World : by Ray Rum |