Observations by Doug Rugh, a classically trained artist based on Cape Cod,Massachusetts. (Overwrought penumbras, tangential tales and meager conundrums diffused through the squinting oculus of a shade arranger.)
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Chuckles
1992 - 2010
Shelter mutt, studio companion, constant shadow, good friend and a good dog.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Blink and the World Changes

Studio/Gallery since 10/2009
Excerpt from this posting:
"...One thing I've learned as an artist is that if I'm not inspired I'm wasting paint (also called: priming canvases the sloooow way)...and two months later I'm back at the easel dabbing with familiar brushes. Shades of the world is as you see it (Vijnana Baihriva for those who have time to delve into ancient texts.)..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
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102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Documentary Short
Monday, May 05, 2008
Leonardo and Rembrandt Stunned
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Excerpt from this posting:
"...Go ahead: picture Leonardo and Da Vinci sitting in the corner of your studio unblinking. The art world's version of shock and awe...."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
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102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
A Morning Chasing Light (It Got Away)
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Excerpt from this posting:
"...On the opposite wall was her composition as only she could do it. Artists have a history of consuming their still lifes just before they sour so I had no qualms about, at a minimum, recycling the still life as a subject of my own...."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Capturing an Audience
"...A little later a girl came up to me in a rare quiet moment and said, "If I sit out there will you paint me?"..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Hidden Corner at Nobska Beach
Hidden Corner, 11" x 14" - oil/canvas
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Excerpt from this posting:
"...as long as my palette doesn't get too wet and turn my oils into emulsions. The overcast skies, tent-lighting to photographers, bring out the intensity of colors..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
-Doug Rugh
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Flying at Night
Excerpt from this posting:
"...remembering intuitively the spots where there was a gap in the curb and when it had to be jumped..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Friday, May 11, 2007
There's No There There
Excerpt from this posting:
"...It's impossible to be impressed with oneself..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Apprentice
Excerpt from this posting:
"...The apprentice coddles the sable over raised brushstrokes (cursing away Style's tempts), corrects a skewed perspective and steps aside, humbly, in front of the seamless Illusion. Later he winces at overlooked edges and gasps at unsubtle hues..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
-Doug Rugh
Friday, April 27, 2007
De-limbed Statues
"...He absent-mindedly used the arborist's vernacular to describe the 15 foot high stumps now standing like monuments in the center of the yard. ..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Tickle and Hit the Road
This road leads to Alfie's beach, a few yards of coast bought with sculpture, and a summer gathering spot where artists sit around bonfires.
Excerpt from this posting:
"...Thresholds are places of creativity which liberate the brain from its' rounded walls..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
-Doug Rugh
Monday, April 09, 2007
The Right Brain at Work and Play
"...The studio works start with this reportage and turn them into pictures..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
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102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Chiaroscuro
Excerpt from this posting:
"...the root words of chiaroscuro -- light lifting the tonal veil of darkness -- are both clear and obscure. Folds become beautiful when a little mystery (and shadow) is added..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Gone Postal
Another time someone was kind enough to leave a note with this advice written in small letters:
I was sitting next to you in class and I couldn't help noticing that your ears needed cleaning. Just thought you'd like to know.
A fresh Q-tip was taped to the card. I say kind because the note was unsigned allowing the Samaritan to give helpful guidance while avoiding the embarrassment of a whispered take-aside. I quietly slipped the Q-tip into my bag and walked out of the busy hall. Maybe it was the guy at the library's front desk who I mistakenly passed unshaven one day who put his hands on his hips and said, "There's such a thing as personal hygiene you know!"
It wasn't until later when I was sitting with some people in the textile department that someone described getting the same note with the Q-tip. The guy we were with said, "I put hundreds of those in people's boxes. I got bored sitting in the mail room all day." I realized instantly that the crunchy-granola color samples were probably just an old weaving project that he had done and rather than discarding his trash he could disseminate it and give it new life. Nobody gets letters anymore.
-Doug Rugh
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Neither Then Nor Later
Excerpt from this posting:
"...that free the thinking and the doing: a perfect place of art..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
-Doug Rugh
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Man Overboard
Excerpt from this posting:
"...Another visitor, just arriving on the scene, got through to 9-1-1 and they said, "Isn't there anybody there on the island that can help you?"..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Louise Don't Look At This
Excerpt from this posting:
"...so I poured a little poppy oil in a palette cup to speed up the paint and leaned into the canvas..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
King of the Nursing Home
"...By the time I get there I'm sure to be top dog at the nursing home..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Hospital Cove
Excerpt from this posting:
"...I sat in the shade of the dock just out of view, following my rule to find a vantage point that was also a place that I would choose if I were stopping to enjoy the day..."
This journal entry is now available as part of a compilation in ebook form:
Specifications:
Epub and PDF formats
102 Entries
26,700+ Words
95 Full-Color Illustrations (Oil paintings by the author.)
2006 - 2010
More information here.
-Doug Rugh