Zest Artist Rudy Kistler arrived on our shores from Chicago ten years ago having completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts  in 2001 from School of the Art Institute of Chicago, one of America’s largest accredited independent schools of art and design and is recognised by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top two graduate art programs in the United States.

Rudy Kistler hangs artworks at the Art Vault

Rudy Kistler at the Art Vault.         Photo: Konatsu Honda

oil painting by Rudy Kistler

‘The Rabbiters’ by Rudy Kistler, oil on canvas 122x152cm

He completed his post graduate studies at the National Art School in Darlinghurst with a Masters dissertation on en plein air (painting outdoors).  Rudy is passionate about that process. “I think there is too much emphasis on painting from photographs these days and feel like it is really detrimental to the core of what Art stands for.  I never really wanted to be an ‘Artist’ per se, but just enjoyed packing a picnic, going to a beautiful location to spread out a blanket, and spend the day playing music or painting the beauty I see before me.  I really wanted to do this every day and then realised that people that do that kind of thing are called artists!  I don’t see my paintings as products, more like the tracks of the animal that is art itself.”

Following the National Art School, Rudy studied historical oil painting techniques at Charlie Sheard Studio School.

In 2007, Rudy joined Zest and has been guest at numerous festivals around the country showcasing his 3D chalk art skills, running youth workshops, painting live at events as well as producing commissions for corporations.

“I love the diversity of work that comes my way. Recently I painted a 6mx8m map of the wine regions of Australia, NZ and France for a huge Australian wine company, and the next week drove down to Nowra to do 3D chalk art with the indigenous mob down there, it’s always something different and stimulating.  I love being out of the studio and working in front of people, there is nothing better than working away on a piece and hearing people behind you say things like ‘WOW, isn’t that fantastic!’  Working with Zest and producing the 3D artworks over the past 7 years has made me an incredibly fast worker.  Because of the performative nature of the work I have to get right down to business and knock things out as quickly as possible.  There are always challenges along the way and I’m always ready to adapt my ideas to conditions.  I really enjoy thinking on my feet, these challenges definitely make me a better artist.”

Rudy has just returned from travelling through Japan and is looking forward to sharing his experiences with everyone at home. “ The thing I love about travelling is being able to leave my mark all over the world. That is a crucial difference to being a tourist.  A tourist travels around ‘taking’ pictures and I go around ‘giving’ pictures!”

3D chalk art cat by Rudy Kistler3D Chalk art flying books SLNSW by Rudy Kistler and Anton Pulvirenti

3D chalk art, Youth Week chalk workshop with Rudy Kistler at Port Macquarie, NSW

Chalk_art_recycle_Zest_Events
Above: some favourite projects – Jumpers & Jazz in July, Warwick QLD; ‘Flying Books’ for State Library of NSW with Anton Pulvirenti; Youth workshop in Port Macquarie, NSW;  Meekatharra Outback Festival, WA.

Like what you’ve read?  View more examples of Rudy’s work in our portfolio and read about the ‘Danger Zone’ chalk art workshop he conducted at a Japanese high school.

 

 

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