Blog — Brian Rutenberg

Since 1994 Brian has been taking the Amtrak Maple Leaf from Penn Station to Toronto to study the life and work of the Canadian Pianist Glenn Gould (1932-1982). This "quiet time" has been an integral part of Brian´s working process and he cites Gould as his most important role model by far. Gould said, "The purpose of art is the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity." Brian is inspired by Gould´s unconditional commitment to his craft, his patience, humor, and lack of interest in trends and fashions in contemporary art. These trips usually last about four days and begin in Toronto where Gould lived his entire life; the balance of the trip consists of time by Lake Simcoe (north of Toronto), making gouaches in Algonquin Forest, and conclude in Ottawa for research in National Library of Canada in Ottawa which houses Gould´s entire written and recorded output.

Brian has been interviewed on CBC Radio on the subject of his paintings and his interest in Gould. The National Library of Canada has featured Brian´s paintings on its Gould website and in 1999 the Glenn Gould Foundation commissioned Brian to create paintings specifically for the Glenn Gould Gathering which drew scholars, musicians, and fans from around the world to Toronto for a week of lectures, concerts, and discussions about Gould´s work and its continued relevance. Here are some of those images: