Rupert Conrad (1907-1979) was born in Detroit, Michigan, where he studied at the John P. Wicker School of Fine Arts, the Scarab Club, Detroit Institute of Art, the Hi-Lite Club and the Cranbrook Academy. Each of these places gave him the opportunities to study with, John P. Wicker, Paul Honore, John Carroll, and Carl Milles. Rupert Conrad was a member of the famous, historic Scarab Club from 1924-1929. His formative art years in Detroit and New York City, in the late 1920's and early 1930's found him sharing a studio with Vetold Pasternacki and associating with contemporaries, Sarkis Sarkisian, Edward Yaeger, and Albert Kahn. This was followed by time in France and Italy.
In 1941 Conrad was awarded a Scholarship in Lithography to the Colorado Fine Arts Center. In Colorado he studied under Boardman Robinson, illustator of The Brothers Karamozov. Conrad spend the late 1950's painting in the Bahamas, and in Florida helping to develop the fabulous Storyland (pre-Disney World Amusement Park in Pompano Beach). Time was also spend in Connecticut, as an assistant to national illustrator, Ben Stahl and on occasion working with Norman Rockwell.
However his life seemed like a long avenue of darkened alleys. He drank heavily, drinking becoming the outlet of his misery. Happier, more productive days were on the horizon after relocating to Wyoming to accept a teaching position at Casper College. Rupert entered the Lander Rehabilitation Center and freed himself from his destructive alcohol habit. After a failed first marriage, Conrad enjoyed his career and his life with his second wife Ruth Spear, whom he married in 1964. She was able to revitalize his faith and his work. For the next 15 years Conrad was constantly in the studio, painting, sculpting and working on his calligraphic style studies.
He was once described as "several parts of Toulouse Lautrec, a dash of Norman Rockwell and a heaping teaspoon of individuality." His art has been represented in the Library of Congress, Detroit Institute of Art, the Metropolitan Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the Toledo Museum, the National Gallery of Paris, the Seattle and Philadelphia Print Clubs, and through various private collections.
Original Rupert Conrad Art available at:www.goldenleafgallery.org
