OPENING MAY 2nd @ CLASSIC BLENDS GALLERY
LEIF KRUSE
THE 7 DEADLY SINS
Artist Interview: Leif Kruse
By James Vitello“Right now, I'm interested in making work that deals with social issues that are here and now,†says Leif Kruse. He will be showing his work, entitled “The Seven Deadly Sins,†beginning on May 2nd at Classic Blends Gallery with an art walk displaying the series of paintings, which Kruse says, “deals with the seven deadly sins, and also the seven contrary virtues.â€
The artist, who has had art exhibitions from Florida to Hawaii, says he began work on the series because, “it was a subject that made sense to me.  I haven't seen any new attempts at it, and I wanted to make something that might catch people off guard, and possibly inspire some thought.â€
He admits that he has “struggled…coming up with subject matter.†In a quest to find something that wasn’t just “mindless marks,†Kruse feels confident that because of “The Seven Deadly Sins†series, he says he has “seems to have opened up a door that I had lost the key to,†when referring to his newfound direction. He continues on to say that, “in the process of making these, new ideas for other paintings just started happening.â€
As far as what inspires him, Kruse is very forthcoming. He feels that he can’t leave any avenue untapped when it comes to trying to keep moving forward artistically. When asked what exactly it is that invigorates him he cites “other peoples stories, sudden thoughts and ideas, a word, an article, [and] traveling†amongst other things. He also stresses that he has “absolutely no desire to work 9-5 in a cubicle.â€
With the high quality of his past work, and his new wave of inspiration, don’t expect to see Leif Kruse in a cubicle any time soon.
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