ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * GRAHAM RUST

The amazing Graham Rust!

An exquisite watercolor of antique vases

Graham's latest book

Trompe l'oeil fireplace with dog

Watercolor study of English Country residence, Chewton Glen .

Graham's designs for Halcyon Days Enamels Battersea boxes

His masterpiece 10 years in the making - a mural at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, England

Eggplant (or as the British call it, Aubergine) This is available as one in a series of 4 vegetable lithographs available for purchase on Graham's website. There is a botanical series as well.

Graham Rust is an amazing artist who hails from Great Britain. From the first moment I saw his work over a decade ago, I have been inspired. A close friend gave me one of his books, and it, along with another I acquired, are two of the most valuable volumes in my library. His flawless composition, deft execution, and eye for detail are unparalleled. He has distinguished himself as a master of trompe l'oeil, large scale murals, and seemingly everything he chooses to capture with his brush.

He was born Graham Redgrave-Rust in Hertfordshire, England in 1942. He later was schooled at the Polytechnic School of Art, Regent Street, as well as the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London and the National Academy of Art in New York. Afterward, he worked as an artist on "Architectural Forum" for Time Inc. His first exhibition was at the Royal Academy in 1965. Hardly a shabby beginning!

He has painted in Europe, North and South America, India, Greece, North Africa and the Far East. He also spent a year at the Woodberry Forest School, Virginia, USA, as artist-in-residence in the late 60's.

He is know the world over for his residential commissions in homes of distinction in all corners of the globe. Perhaps he is best known for the phenomenal "Temptation", a mural of gigantic proportions that he worked on for 10(!) years at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire, England. His first book was published in 1988. This book, "The Painted House" comprised his mural designs and continues to be a favorite that has been published in 4 languages. It's a timeless and beautiful book, which was followed 10 years later by "Decorative Designs", and "Needlepoint Designs", both in 1998, and "The Painted Ceiling", in 2001. Graham is also an illustrator for several books other than his own, including the 1986 version of "The Secret Garden"by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Altogether, he has had 24 exhibitons since 1965. He makes his home in Suffolk, England and continues his illustrious career. His latest book is"Revisiting the Painted House" and is sure to be a beloved and treasured addition to any library. Graham also makes a few of his works available as photolithograph sets on his website: http://www.grahamrust.com/

(Photos courtesy of http://www.grahamrust.com/, and his books, "Decorative Designs" and "The Painted House".)