We were lucky to catch up with David Ruggeri recently and have shared our conversation below.

David, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One significant and meaningful piece of work that I created is titled “Banned Books.” This piece serves as a powerful medium for expressing the significance of intellectual freedom and the consequences of censorship. “Banned Books” is 48” x 48” acrylic and spray paint on banned book pages on canvas. The book pages come from 1984, Animal Farm, Brave New World, Catcher in The Rye, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Lord Of The Flies, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, The Kite Runner, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Tom Sawyer.

Here are a few reasons why I created “Banned Books”

Advocacy for Freedom of Expression: Banned books represent the suppression of ideas and the infringement upon the freedom of expression. By painting a piece on this subject, I am taking a stand against censorship and advocating for the importance of open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and the unrestricted flow of information.

Raising Awareness: Art can captivate and evoke emotions. Through my painting, I try to raise awareness about the existence of banned books and the implications of censorship. My hope is that this piece will spark conversations, ignite curiosity, and encourage viewers to critically examine the restrictions placed on access to knowledge.

Preserving Cultural Heritage: Banned books often hold immense cultural and historical significance. By creating a painting that pays tribute to these books, I am preserving their memory and reminding viewers of their impact on society.

Inspiring Dialogue and Reflection: Art has the power to provoke thought and invite viewers to engage in meaningful discussions. This painting on banned books can stimulate conversations about the importance of free thought, intellectual exploration, and the dangers of suppressing information. It encourages viewers to reflect on their own beliefs and consider the consequences of limiting access to knowledge.

Ultimately, my piece about banned books contributes to a larger conversation about the value of art and literature, the dangers of censorship, and the power of human curiosity. It serves as a visual representation of the struggle for intellectual freedom and can inspire viewers to recognize and defend their own rights to knowledge and expression.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been drawing and painting as long as I can remember. Having attended art school in the early 1990s and since garnering my PhD, MBA, Master of Economics, and MPH degrees, I use my vast experiences to create and inform my pop art and graffiti-style paintings.

In my paintings, I use bright colors and eye-catching patterns. My bold, colorful pieces take inspiration from graffiti, pop culture, and range from whimsical to thought provoking. A variety of media and techniques are used, such as spray paint, acrylic paint, and ink. Layers and textures are developed to provide additional depth to pieces.

My work has been exhibited in premiere galleries including ones in New York City, St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Toronto. Additionally, I have shown his work at nationally recognized art fairs, including those in Miami, Atlanta, Jackson Hole, Ketchum Idaho, St. Louis, and Detroit. My works have been purchased by collectors across the US, as well as in Canada and Europe.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

For an entrepreneur, resilience is of paramount importance regardless if you are an artist, banker, IT, or any other entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurship is filled with ups and downs, and failures are inevitable. Resilience enables entrepreneurs to bounce back from failures, learn from their mistakes, and persist in the face of adversity. It allows them to see setbacks as valuable learning experiences and motivates them to keep moving forward.

When I began selling my artwork, there were many failures. I can remember art fairs very early in my career when I did not sell a single piece. Driving home with $0 in sales and incurring relatively high travel expenses made my decision to become an artist seem foolish. But these early art fairs helped me realized that simply showing up does not make for a successful business. The key is to show up at the right places. I began to focus on developing a very specific target market for my work. From there I was able to determine which art fairs and galleries optimize the chance of sales for my style of work. This had lead to increase demand and many more sales.

Resilience is crucial for entrepreneurs because it enables one to navigate failure, manage uncertainty, and embrace change. It is a key characteristic that allows entrepreneurs to withstand the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist can vary from person to person, but for me it is the ability to create. Artists have the freedom to express their unique perspectives, emotions, and ideas through their chosen medium. The ability to create something from scratch and bring my vision to life is incredibly fulfilling and gratifying. Art provides a means to explore and communicate my thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a deeply personal and authentic way. Art has the power to resonate with others on an emotional level, creating a sense of connection and understanding. When my work resonates with an audience and elicits an emotional response, it is very rewarding. I have the opportunity to touch people’s lives, inspire them, evoke empathy, provoke thought, or initiate conversations about important social and cultural issues.   

Contact Info:

• Website: davidruggeri.com
• Instagram: dave_ruggeri

Image Credits
David Ruggeri