ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival is always a highlight event for art lovers. The Rickie Report is proud to have mentored a large number of the “Emerging Artists” for the 2013 show! The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce produces a top-notch juried show, which is presented with the help of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. This is truly a community-wide effort, which involves hundreds of volunteers. Here is an introduction to one of the “emerging artists”, Lazaro Ruda.
ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival
February 16-18
Abacoa Town Center, Jupiter, FL
Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
Monday 10 am – 4 pm
Out of the hundreds of artists who are juried into ArtiGras, the organizers recognize eleven artists who have never been involved in a juried show of this type. These “Emerging Artists” are taken under the ArtiGras’ wings and nurtured to enable them to participate in future events with a base of understanding and experience.
The eleven “Emerging Artists” include:
- John Cooksey
- Jim Maddox (Eydylhands Studio)
- Edward Grates
- Taylor Loughlin
- Christopher Thomas (C. Thomas Photography)
- Lazara Ruda (The Living Sea)
- Brent Hoosac
- Shelly Cox (Norma Cockwell)
- Irene Jalowayski (Smashing Glass)
- Jim McCann (Copper Canvas)
- Joan Hendelman (Hendel Jewelry)
The Rickie Report urges you to take the time to visit each of their booths, see their work and talk to them about what they do and how they do it! Remember, when you buy an item from an “emerging artist” you can say you knew them before they became famous!
Raised in south Florida, Lazaro Ruda has been around the ocean his entire life. Through the span of over thirty years he has watched his ocean world slowly change due to human impact. With the thought that people only protect what they love, he took up the challenge of learning to photograph underwater in order to bring the ocean’s splendors to the eyes of a worldwide audience. Through his web site, TheLivingSea.com, he shares his love and passion for our ocean planet in the hopes that others will understand, cherish and protect our natural world.
Laz Ruda’s Artist Statement begins, “Ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau wrote, “People protect what they love.” These simple words form the foundation of why I photograph the nature of our oceans. I use my photography and my ocean experiences to bring to light what to many is an alien world.”
His experiences as a scuba diver enhance his understanding and vision of what he wants to share via his camera. He tells The Rickie Report, “My photography entails decades of experience as a scuba diver. Before holding an underwater camera in my hand, it is important that I feel completely comfortable in this unique environment for my own safety and, just as important, the well-being of the creatures I photograph”.
Male Seahorse Giving Birth in Wild
Working underwater has its constraints regarding technical equipment. Laz shares, “Underwater photography does not give me the liberties of using zoom lenses. I must approach an animal well beyond its comfort zone to capture its image. Having an intimate knowledge of the creature, it’s environment, and an enormous amount of patience is required. Some of my photographs have taken hours to capture. Many have taken years to perfect.”
When he is asked why he chooses to work underwater, Laz is quite straightforward in sharing his philosophy. “In my decades of exploring the oceans, I have encountered untold damage to this delicate environment caused by our every day actions. I have also seen our oceans improve when ordinary citizens have cared enough to make a difference. My hope is that my images and stories will help you understand our amazing ocean planet a little better and my passion and admiration for the natural world becomes your own.”
For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:
Rickie Leiter, Publisher
The Rickie Report
P.O.Box 33423
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420
561-537-0291
