In the Studio with Duane Lutsko
Duane Lutsko is an award-winning local painter, currently exhibiting virtually here at CAC. Duane has an extensive resume, which includes a MFA in Painting from Brooklyn College, resident artist at Maryland Hall and teacher at many Maryland schools including MICA, AACC and Annapolis Senior High School. Here’s Duane talking about his art, process and experience:
On discovering art: Art, drawing and painting, is something I’ve always been good at. I sold my first painting, a rabbit, when I was 6 years old to our upstairs neighbor living in married students housing on the campus of UCLA. It was nice being good at something and winning prizes as a young student growing up. But by the time I hit adolescence, no one in my world was modeling a career as an artist and middle school art was a once-a-week event that felt more like a time to goof-off than anything else.
Luke Mill | 16”x20” | oil on canvas
On the power of a great teacher: My tipping point occurred when I met my high school mentor and art teacher, Mr. Worthington. He presented art, and the value of dedicating oneself to a rigorous discipline, as a portal to understanding and engaging a myriad of intersections that bond, unite, and transcend experience and awareness. In other words, Worthington could routinely present Rembrandt or Cezanne, link one or the other to the athleticism of the Olympics, and bundle it all into a poem by Dylan Thomas. He presented art as this all-inclusive arena of understanding and self actualization. I signed the dotted line and went all in.
The Old Lock-Up | 9”x12” | oil on canvas
On identifying himself as a painter: I have dedicated myself to art, whether through learning, painting and other practice, or teaching, for my entire adult life since I was 16 years old. I prefer being identified as a painter rather than an artist because painting is something tangible I can push around, play with, and fight for. It calls upon all of my properties and being, and much like a controlled crash, requires that I give everything over to the process, win or lose.
Falls Road Station | 16”x20” | oil on canvas
On his favorite teaching moment: I have many memorable teaching moments. One that stands out was when I was at the Security Mall Citgo gas station and few years back and saw Dante, a young man I taught at the Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies, surrounded by his crew of about 3 other young kids. I looked him in the eye and called out his name. He paused and looked me up and down for a spell, then realizing who I was finally belted out, “Mr. Lutsko! You taught me how to draw! This was the guy who taught me how to draw!” - as he came over to hug me. It was awesome.
Washington Mill Loading | 9”x12” | oil on canvas
On his current work and inspiration: Currently I am most inspired by so much of the really terrific, awesome painting that I see going on today. Technology affords this amazing window into the work of countless contemporary individuals who continue to explore the properties and envelope of this dilemma we call painting. I am a devoted student of art history and am happy to report that the link connecting our painting today to the work ongoing for the past 40,000 years is alive and well.
Utility Pole | 9”x12” | oil on canvas
On advice to an aspiring artist: Find a good teacher, someone you can trust as well as someone who’s willing to also learn from you. Talent is a gift and it helps, but it’s the fire in the belly what will give you the perseverance you’ll need. Finally, as Johnny Crawford (Robert Duvall) said in Seven Days in Utopia, “see it, feel it, trust it.”
To learn more about Duane, and his work, visit www.duanelutsko.com. Follow him on Twitter @dluts38 or Instagram @dlutskoart
A note from Duane: I want to thank the Maryland State Arts Council for the generous support I received through the Emergency Grant for Independent Artists program. This program provides support for independent artists who have sustained losses as a result of the Governor’s Declared state of Emergency during this time of COVID. These funds will assist me and many other creatives in carrying on the good that art provides for all.
