GRACEFUL LIGHT Print

Rudy James Milante is widely considered to be one of the most influential and groundbreaking contemporary American artists. Born in 1968 in Southern California, he first established a multi-faceted artistic practice which sought to break the limitations of painting by using unorthodox raw materials such as burlap, cement and pallet wood. He has since become known for visceral often looking for the connection of joy within his work in a variety of mediums – from meditation through creating musical tones, sculptures, drawings and paintings. From an early age, Rudy always had a pencil and paper in his back pocket ready to sketch. Growing up, he was inspired by his parents, who were creative artists in their own creative ways. His father, Rodolfo, created furniture and assembled engines as hobbies. His mother Diana had a passion for knitting and macramé crafts while raising her children. Once Rudy started to create his own art, he used multiple mediums. Such artwork includes soldering metals for jewelry, repurposing cigar boxes to build guitars, and utilizing concrete, stones, and marble to create unique sculptures. At the age of 29, he discovered oil paints and started developing his painting career. In 1998, Rudy moved to San Francisco to join the expansive artist community. In 2001, Rudy continued his art journey and has participated in numerous exhibits throughout Northern and Southern California. Rudy’s expressionistic art depicts a playful vibrancy of movement with spontaneous splashes of life and color. His diverse heritage and culturally rich travels have inspired his latest paintings and elicit an enlightened and soulful edge. Rudy is currently living in Southern California since 2017.