Rubadoux maintenant
Anyone (and they are legion) who has observed Craig Rubadoux’s work throughout his painting career sees a whole body of continuances, as ongoing interests ripen and develop during the artist’s life – dogs of several kinds, large and strong, smaller and smiling; women present, caring, similar in stature with differing soulful eyes, playful in the water riding bareback in the summer surf; and in the most recent years the newly appearing rhinoceros, "an endangered species that is an amazing animal" according to the artist who paints one underwater with a swimming woman ("Golden Rhino"). An apparition, fantasy, imagined?
Often when Rubadoux’s more heady work is discussed it is in terms of dreamlives, shimmering imagination, gently beguiling motion and emotion. His enduring poster series created years ago for the Florida Symphony may have struck that note in the public-mind with musicians playing away in dory fish boats.
"Tango."
Today it is an amusing tuba player creating a plethora of joyous color streamers romping within the loop of the instrument. It is skillfully painted drybrush oil paint on arches paper, which the artist says is his favorite medium to work in – and this piece makes the viewer grin.
Much of Rubadoux’s later work is lighter with more ease now and less deciphering. "Sun Layover Jake" is a lovely lark of a smiling dog running toward the viewer in greeting (with beautiful color). "Alli & Cody July" depicts a young girl happily climbing onto her horse in the ocean’s waves, tasting the salty, wonderful freedom of it. By adopting markings long translated as personal, and rejecting the current color vibrato, Rubadoux has fashioned lean, nervy paintings made by hand by one gifted artist out of intense personal experience, and takes painting where it is always meant to be ... moving and expressive.
"Jake as Alberto's Dog."
Craig Rubadoux, at Dabbert Gallery, 76 South Palm Ave; 955-1315. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Fridays till 8 p.m.