I am an abstract artist with a science background transplanted from Chicago to the Research Triangle. For about 2 decades most of my painting was in watercolor but after moving to Raleigh I switched to acrylics particularly because of the texture and structure it allows. I want my paintings both viewed and touched. Current efforts are focused in melding styles of pre-WWII and post WWII abstract art. Latest emphasis of work is an attempt to mix the energy, passion and unpredictability of abstract expressionism with the stark simplicity of gestural illustration found in the early 20th century masters. Many works aspire to an aesthetic polygamy of Joan Mitchell at various times married to Matisse, Picasso, Klee, or Miro while fooling around with Dubuffet. Few pieces are preconceived except for the color scheme.
Immersed in the stillness of creation, brush and palette strokes are spontaneous and initially chaotic. My process of painting attempts to create order from the initial disorder and chaos/entropy. I refer to this effort as “The Art of Negentropy” which essentially defines life, and like all organic processes, my art seeks order from a chaotic mix of of matter and energy. Because of this approach, many efforts fail, and to paraphrase better artists than myself, my art consists of the mistakes I keep. Clearly not mistakes, my finest works of art are my 3 daughters- Elena, Ariel and Lila, pictured here with me. Similar to Kurt Vonnegut I had a race with my girls as to who would grow up first... and like Kurt, I lost.
2019 Resident Artist, Litmus Gallery, Split Infinity Studio, 312 W. Cabarrus, Raleigh 2019 Member of Chagall Society, sponsored by the Raleigh/Cary Jewish Federation
Exhibits
6/2019 Featured Artist, Imurj 300 S. McDowell, Raleigh
5/2019 Art of Mind, Imurj
4-6/2019 Durham Arts Guild Showcase- Exhibited “Still Life in a Rainy Brain” (sold)
9-10/2018 Solo Exhibit- GSK Campus at RTP. “The Art of Negentropy”
2-2016: Triangle ArtWorks at The Frontier, RTP Art Exhibit
5-2016: Eggsestentialism
5-10/2015 Art of Negentropy Split Infinity Tour- Margaux’s Restaurant, Lux Salon, World Café, Raleigh
9- 2015: I Am Quixote, Durham Arts Council,
5-8/2011 Art of Negentropy- Margaux’s Restaurant
BIOSKETCH FROM IMURJ by Anya Johnson- June 15, 2019
DAVID RUBIN- Creating Order Out of Chaos June Gallery Artist: David Rubin
As a child, David Rubin felt connected to The Art Institute of Chicago because of its accessibility and the impressionist art featured in the collection. When he had children of his own, Rubin wanted to encourage them to be creative instead of mindlessly watching television, so he began painting watercolors with them. After moving to Raleigh, he fell in love with using acrylics due to the quickness of the work while also creating structure and texture in his pieces. As a poet, painter, and musician, Rubin seeks to create order from chaos, and link music to poems and poems to art. His collection, The Art of Negentropy, is featured at Imurj – The Artists’ Café for the month of June.
Inspired by the abstract expressionist voice of Joan Mitchell and the gestural illustrations of Pablo Picasso, Rubin spontaneously works colors together to create pieces that people can connect with. Rubin’s other influences include Joan Miró, Henri Matisse, Bernard DuBuffet, and the raw cartoon gestural illustrations of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Negentropy, the antonym of Entropy, strives to create order out of chaos. This is best illustrated through Rubin’s creative process. Typically beginning with only colors in mind, he lets his mind be the driving force behind his painting, acting spontaneously and deriving meaning only after the painting is completed. The Oxford Dictionary defines art as, “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination…producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” The goal of Rubin’s art isn’t focused on selling it, but to make art for art’s sake and create something that people can connect with, and find their own meaning within.
PoArtry Art, in the broadest definition, is used by many, including Rubin, to create a new reality and provide a creative outlet from the negative parts of life. Rubin said, “Creating art is a luxury, but there comes a time in your life when it is as important as eating and breathing.” Various art forms (visual and performing arts) ideally interact with each other and create a greater synergy that can’t be accomplished otherwise. This is the focus of PoArtry, a combination of Poetry and Visual Art held in tandem with Poetically Speaking, Imurj’s poetry open mic. Beginning at 6:30 on Sunday, June 23rd, there will be a Poetic Conversation with The Art of Negentropy, featuring live poetry and collaboration opportunities. This free event aims to open conversations about the connection between various art forms by encouraging discussion.