Tim Bruce 1956–2009
When 19th century biographer William Downes wrote to American artist Winslow Homer proposing a book, he received this characteristically modest reply: “I think that it would probably kill me to have such a thing appear, and as the best part of my life is of interest to the public I must decline”.
And so it was essentially a self described, by native North Carolina artist Tim Bruce. He was a shy and humble man who really did not want his face out in the public but would rather have his work seen.
And so it was essentially a self described, by native North Carolina artist Tim Bruce. He was a shy and humble man who really did not want his face out in the public but would rather have his work seen.
Tim painting
Tim Bruce's artwork is well known to discerning collectors, both private and corporate, across the United States and beyond. The paintings are the products of well considered design reconciled with naturalistic representation and expression. Whether it’s the browns of an Old Salem building or the vibrant reds of N. C. Cardinals, or even designing a Christmas card for corporations like Wilson Cook Medical, Tim’s goal was to give his collectors a variety of floral, still life, snow scenes, animals, portraits, buildings.
A prime example is his poster design for the Wright Brothers Foundation (entitled “Big Sky”) to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2003.
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Tim released a water color called “Chantilly Lace”. Actually this floral was painted a few years ago using antiques for his Stokes County home and Mums from his yard. “Chantilly Lace” was titled after a favorite art show arena in Chantilly, Va. The original went to a collector in Washington D. C.. His watercolor, on first look, appears to be an acrylic or oil, but Tim used the glazing technique.
Many of Tim's limited edition prints are now sold out and demand great interest on the secondary market.
Tim was a meticulous, sensitive painter and sculptor. He strived to bring an emotional experience to the viewer through the use of color, composition and subject matter.
Tim’s ability to capture the personality the mood of his subjects as if it’s our very own memory frozen in time has made him a household name. And so it has been with his “Ghost Series” entitled Remember When where Tim created, in silhouette, the part tobacco played in the lives of many American farmers in the south. It was his commitment that resulted in the extraordinary success of this inventive southeastern artist.
A 1977 graduate of the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida, a very selective school that invites its students to return each semester depending on their merit, Tim had a highly successful career as a freelance illustrator and is the recipient of numerous national illustration awards including the prestigious Society of Illustrators, the New York Art Directors Club, the Graphic Design USA and the International Graphics Awards.
As a commercial artist (one of only 10 illustrators licensed to draw Joe Camel) Tim had to do different styles at the drop of a hat; he had to learn to paint fast because time is money. Admittedly, he said, “I get bored doing the same thing. It’s a double edged sword, I want people to look at my work and see that everything isn’t the same. And I want them to recognize my work and say ‘That is a Tim Bruce’”.
In addition to painting, Tim worked in three dimensional world of sculpting. His handsomely realized sculptures had commanded more of his time and interest.
"It’s the love of my heart, more like a hobby, I love working with my hands and I enjoy seeing my sculptures as finished pieces”.
Influenced early on by Norman Rockwell, Tim was the youngest graduate of the Famous Artist School in Connecticut. He was the youngest artist at age 16 to have his work shown in the Morehead Planetarium Art Gallery in Chapel Hill, N. C
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “A vivid thought brings with it the power to paint it, and in proportion to the depth of its source is the force of its projection.” When you look into the paintings of Tim Bruce it becomes very clear the depth of his ability to touch the feelings within all of us.
A prime example is his poster design for the Wright Brothers Foundation (entitled “Big Sky”) to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2003.
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Tim released a water color called “Chantilly Lace”. Actually this floral was painted a few years ago using antiques for his Stokes County home and Mums from his yard. “Chantilly Lace” was titled after a favorite art show arena in Chantilly, Va. The original went to a collector in Washington D. C.. His watercolor, on first look, appears to be an acrylic or oil, but Tim used the glazing technique.
Many of Tim's limited edition prints are now sold out and demand great interest on the secondary market.
Tim was a meticulous, sensitive painter and sculptor. He strived to bring an emotional experience to the viewer through the use of color, composition and subject matter.
Tim’s ability to capture the personality the mood of his subjects as if it’s our very own memory frozen in time has made him a household name. And so it has been with his “Ghost Series” entitled Remember When where Tim created, in silhouette, the part tobacco played in the lives of many American farmers in the south. It was his commitment that resulted in the extraordinary success of this inventive southeastern artist.
A 1977 graduate of the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida, a very selective school that invites its students to return each semester depending on their merit, Tim had a highly successful career as a freelance illustrator and is the recipient of numerous national illustration awards including the prestigious Society of Illustrators, the New York Art Directors Club, the Graphic Design USA and the International Graphics Awards.
As a commercial artist (one of only 10 illustrators licensed to draw Joe Camel) Tim had to do different styles at the drop of a hat; he had to learn to paint fast because time is money. Admittedly, he said, “I get bored doing the same thing. It’s a double edged sword, I want people to look at my work and see that everything isn’t the same. And I want them to recognize my work and say ‘That is a Tim Bruce’”.
In addition to painting, Tim worked in three dimensional world of sculpting. His handsomely realized sculptures had commanded more of his time and interest.
"It’s the love of my heart, more like a hobby, I love working with my hands and I enjoy seeing my sculptures as finished pieces”.
Influenced early on by Norman Rockwell, Tim was the youngest graduate of the Famous Artist School in Connecticut. He was the youngest artist at age 16 to have his work shown in the Morehead Planetarium Art Gallery in Chapel Hill, N. C
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “A vivid thought brings with it the power to paint it, and in proportion to the depth of its source is the force of its projection.” When you look into the paintings of Tim Bruce it becomes very clear the depth of his ability to touch the feelings within all of us.