“Plein air refers to paintings done on location in one shot. (That’s my definition as others sometimes work on them later in the studio). Impressionism is the word they use to describe the method. They are created in an hour, more or less, as the sun scoots across the sky lengthening and shortening shadows and consequently trees become blobs of green violet paint and mountains a quick combination of Prussian blue and Alizarin crimson. In that length of time, thought is restricted to what’s in front of you. From first touch of brush to canvas to signature, I’ve found it to be about the fastest hour on earth. You know, if you’re trying to get rid of an hour.”
Born in 1948 in Nebraska and raised in South Dakota, Daniel Rueffert has lived in Mexico since 1969. His talent and tenure in San Miguel de Allende and elsewhere in Mexico has afforded Mr. Rueffert iconic status as a master post impressionist painter of Mexican life, lifestyle, and landscape. His work unequivocally captures and preserves the flavor of old rural Mexico, from the Republic’s central highlands to its vast coastlines, in a world that is rapidly changing – and an old Mexico that is rapidly disappearing.
Mr. Rueffert is one of Mexico’s most accomplished and collectible artists. His exceptional talent as a true en plein air (on location) painter is palpable in the construction of his paintings – very finely honed and beautifully executed – presenting the public with the gift of his inspiration and his years of study, craft and mastery. Mr. Rueffert includes in his technical repertoire the textural depth of palette knife works, a classic method providing each piece with even greater expression, structure, and form. Mr. Rueffert works in oils and pastels and occasionally sculpts. His art can be found in collections worldwide.
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Mr. Rueffert studied at the Rocky Mountain School of Art in Denver, Colorado, Bellas Artes (Centro Cultural El Nigromante) in San Miguel de Allende, and the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende. After completing his studies, he joined the faculty at the Instituto Allende, where he taught over several years in the early eighties. He now lives in Mineral de Pozos, a small abandoned mining town, recently designated “Pueblo Mágico” by the Mexican government, 56 km from San Miguel.
by Fancy Camp.
el Pintor
Daniel Rueffert nació en Nebraska en 1948 y se crió en South Dakota, pero ha vivido en México desde 1969. Su talento y permanencia en San Miguel de Allende y otras regiones de México le han brindado estatus icónico como pintor maestro pos impresionista de la vida y del paisaje mexicano. Su obra captura y preserva inequívocamente el sabor del viejo México rural, desde la región montañosa del centro del país hasta sus vastas costas, en un mundo que se está cambiando rápidamente, y en un viejo México que se está desapareciendo.
El señor Rueffert es uno de los pintores más exitosos y coleccionables de México. Su extraordinario talento como verdadero pintor al aire libre se siente en la construcción de sus pinturas finamente labradas y bellamente perfeccionadas, brindándole al público el don de su inspiración y sus años de estudio, destreza y maestría. El señor Rueffert incluye en su repertorio técnico la intensidad de textura que se logra con la espátula, una técnica clásica que le da mås expresión, estructura y forma a cada pieza. El señor Rueffert pinta en óleo, en pastel, y de vez en cuando, practica escultura. Sus obras se encuentran en colecciones por todo el mundo.
El señor Rueffert ha estudiado en La Escuela de Arte “Rocky Mountain” en Denver, en el estado de Colorado, en el Centro Cultural El Nigromante en San Miguel de Allende, y en el Instituto Allende en San Miguel de Allende. Después de terminar sus estudios, enseñó arte por varios años en los ochenta en El Instituto Allende. Ahora vive a 65 kilómetros de San Miguel, en Mineral de Pozos, un pequeño pueblo minero abandonado, recientemente denominado como Pueblo Mágico por el gobierno mexicano.