ABOUT THE ARTIST

Background Matthew S. Rucker was born in Minneapolis, MN. His family observed his artistic talent at a young age (especially his grandfather, a professional sculptor and master woodcarver). They encouraged Matthew to use his talent to its fullest potential. "I had little choice. I seldom received toys for my birthdays or holidays. I got sketch pads, paints, sculpting tools, anything art related. I had art supplies and my imagination and little else. Art was all I could do to keep from getting bored." Matthew began painting only as a form of self expression, but he quickly took his art to the next level by showing and selling his work in galleries. He is quick to explain to anyone who asks, "I do not paint to sell, I sell to paint. When I sell a painting - I can buy more brushes and canvas, I can pay my bills, I don't starve."

Education

Matthew S. Rucker is essentially self-taught. Matthew attended two colleges in Minnesota, studying philosophy and psychology. He later attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a scholarship for artistic and academic excellence.

Matthew returned to Minneapolis in 1993 to persue his career in the arts. Aside from painting Matthew opened an art gallery (The Ultra-Violet Lounge Experimental Gallery) and later opened a small interior design firm (Paris Design) specializing in nightclubs and bars.
His success in these venues led Matthew to develop a fashion design firm (M.S.R. Design Modiste), and a mural company (M.S.R. Design).

Matthew abruptly closed the doors of all of his business ventures in 1996 to paint full time, and begin his nationwide travels.

He returned to Minnesota in 2001 and began to plant seeds which have taken root, and are producing sweet fruit.

Matthew resumed schooling in 2006 to pursue a doctorate in Psychology, but stopped when his painting career gained significan momentum.

Matthew Rucker is currently living and painting in St. Paul.

What does Matthew S. Rucker do besides paint?

Drawing, fashion design, photography, spoken word performance poetry, interior design, screenplays, lectures, furniture design, murals, sculpture, art instruction, and custom framing.

Contact Matthew S. Rucker virgosurreal@juno.com ARTIST'S STATEMENT "Artists paint what they know best. That which is most familiar to me is duality, contradiction, and ambivalence. It is the essence of Yin and Yang, equal portions of black and white, each containing a portion of its opposite within. My entire life has been orchestrated by a pendulum and its polar opposites. Two sides struggling together, at the same moment. It is this moment of yes and no, pleasure and pain, man and woman, that I know best, and that I paint most."