Every so often, you encounter an artist who doesn’t just paint but sets your creative spirit on fire. For me, that artist is Brian Rutenberg.
There’s something undeniably magnetic about his fearless use of colour—swathes of pigment that feel like pure emotion on canvas. He doesn’t tiptoe around beauty; he crashes into it headfirst, unafraid to be bold, unafraid to feel. His paintings hum with energy, like symphonies composed in oil. They are thick, textured, unapologetically alive. And maybe that’s what I love most—his courage to trust his instincts and let colour lead the way.
The work below by me, New Leaf, was inspired by Brian’s love of vertical colour waves. It sold to a lovely lady who said the banana yellows, and tropical lime greens reminded her of growing up in Fiji. Look how perfectly it went in her home. The word “love” added to the painting as I created it during Covid lockdowns and fear mongering, reminded my new collector of her mum who had passed away. Meant to be!
If you haven’t yet discovered his YouTube series, do yourself a favour and dive in. Each episode is part art tutorial, part philosophy lesson, part love letter to the creative life. Rutenberg doesn’t just talk about brushes and gesso; he speaks of why we paint. Of the loneliness, the euphoria, the sacred discipline of showing up for beauty even when the world feels indifferent. He reminds me that painting is not just a craft—it’s a calling.
One of the most touching aspects of Rutenberg’s creative journey is how deeply his roots run. His love for the lowcountry landscape of coastal South Carolina is woven into every canvas. The marshes, the trees, the light—he doesn’t paint them literally, but you feel them in his colours, in the lush, layered textures, in the rhythm of his brushstrokes. His work is a tribute to place, to memory, to belonging. And that reminds me that we, too, can find infinite inspiration in the land that raised us. We carry our landscapes in our hearts.
His talks are brutally honest and often poetic. He speaks to the artist behind the canvas—the soul who battles doubt, who questions her worth, who wonders if it’s all been done before. And he answers gently but firmly: “Do it anyway. Paint it anyway. Say it in your own voice.”
That’s what makes Rutenberg such a rare gem in the art world. He doesn’t pander. He doesn’t play it safe. He gives you permission to be messy, brave, and wildly colourful. To paint not what’s trendy, but what’s true.
So when I feel uncertain—when I hesitate with the brush, or second-guess my palette—I return to his work. I let his words echo in my studio, and I remember that art doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.
Thank you, Brian Rutenberg, for being a lighthouse in the fog. For painting with your whole heart, for honouring your roots, and for reminding the rest of us to do the same.
You may also enjoy Brian Rutenberg’s fabulous books:
Watching Brian Rutenberg work is like standing in the presence of someone who’s cracked open the secret of living fully through art. He doesn’t just paint—he believes in painting. And through his bold colours, textured compositions, and unapologetic passion, he reminds me that there is no ceiling on what’s possible when you stay true to your voice.
But more than that, he shows me what’s next.
Through his studio tours and thoughtful YouTube reflections, I’ve seen what it looks like to build a life where your art is not only created—but collected. Where your canvases travel the world, finding homes in galleries and museums. Where your solo exhibitions invite people into your inner landscape and allow them to see the world differently. Where the dream isn’t just about making, but about sharing—boldly, fearlessly, and with conviction.
And that’s where his influence really touches me: he gives me permission to want more.
To dream of being represented by a gallery that believes in my work as much as I do.
To imagine my art hanging in spaces across the world—from New York to Paris, from Tokyo to Beijing—each exhibition an echo of my journey and an offering of joy and healing.
To believe that my art, like his, can be a bridge between the personal and the universal.
Brian reminds me that it’s not selfish to dream of success and share our joy with the world—it’s essential. Because when we expand, we give others permission to do the same.
So here’s to dreaming a little louder.
To painting more courageously.
To believing that what’s in your heart is meant to be seen, and celebrated, around the world.
The Colour of Becoming, Cassandra Gaisford, 2025
Where Joy Begins, Cassandra Gaisford, 2025
La Vie En Rose, Cassandra Gaisford, 2025
Divine Sun Child, Cassandra Gaisford 2025
Born to Shine Like The Sun, Cassandra Gaisford 2025
Sweet As Sunset, Cassandra Gaisford 2025
Thank you, Brian Rutenberg, for showing me what a brave, joyful, successful artist’s life can look like—and for nudging me to claim that dream as my own.
https://www.brianrutenbergart.com
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ABOUT CASSANDRA
I am an artist, storyteller, intuitive guide, mentor and Reiki master. All my creations are infused with positive energy , inspiration, and light. I believe in magic and the power of beauty, joy, love, purpose, and creativity to transform your life. My greatest joy is helping your realize your dreams. That makes my soul sing!
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