Featured Artist Friday: Stan Bruce

Stan BruceI have had the pleasure of workshopping with Stan Bruce for several years. Stan is a warm and giving human being--who creates art that embodies his own spirituality--and the spirituality of others. Here are Stan’s own words:

I am a self taught artist with a natural talent for drawing, painting and sculpting. This gift is from God, our creator, and my art is only an extension of my spirit, for I believe all great gifts come from God.

As a young student, I practiced my art in every class- perhaps that’s why I’m not a brain surgeon or rocket scientist. During my earlier years before the military, I developed my skills as an illustrator by drawing aircraft, cars, boats, buildings and, later, natural life forms.  My family never supported my desire to study art, and so, after high school, I joined the military. While in the U.S. Army, I frequently was asked do portraits of family members, and while serving in Vietnam, I recorded the war in my drawings. After returning home, I worked as a “starving artist” for a few years. Eventually, I stopped doing all art, pursued a career in sales and marketing, got married, and raised two beautiful daughters.

After retiring, I became motivated by my younger daughter, who inherited my passion for art. I now work full-time as an artist. My work is inspired by people who have beat the odds--those who have survived their own challenging life circumstances and contribute their special gifts to humanity.

My art captures people in the spirit, in the celebration of life.

Stan Bruce, “Yuki” - 2012 - Oils on canvas - 10 x 20 in. (click photo for large image)Stan Bruce, “Vero” - 2012 - Oils on canvas - 10 x 20 in. (click photo for large image)Stan Bruce, “Giving Praise” - 2012 - Oils on canvas - 18 x 24 in. (click photo for large image)