May Spotlight Artist-Rich Puleo

Rich Puleo-Painter

Welcome to May’s installment of The Artist Spotlight! Each month, the Medway Cultural Council interviews a Medway artist to find out more about their artwork. This month we will put the spotlight on Rich Puleo, a resident of forty years who wants to “focus on beauty and capture it on canvas.” Rich sometimes uses reference photos but often paints directly from his imagination.

At the age of ten I had an accident which resulted in the loss of an eye.
Several weeks after leaving the hospital, I discovered two things. First, I
discovered that I could see much less with one eye than with two.
Second, I discovered that I could actually see more with one eye than
with two by focusing on what I could see. For me, that has made all of
the difference. My advice is this: if an old man with one eye and no
depth perception can paint, imagine what you can do!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ART!

I paint in both oils and acrylics. I love painting landscapes and seascapes as
well as flowers

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

The beauty that I see in nature. Sometimes in the rush of life we
miss the majesty of what surrounds us.

Rich Puleo

Painting is my way of focusing on that beauty and trying to capture it on canvas.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN MAKING YOUR ART?

I started painting about forty years ago as a way to relax. I tried golf
but I didn’t have the skill or patience to continue. I have always
loved to draw so painting seemed a great way to relax and create
something at the same time. Painting is both an escape and an
adventure and anyone can do it

Painting is both an escape and an
adventure and anyone can do it

Rich Puleo

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN MEDWAY? WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS TOWN?

My wife, Donna and I, have lived in Medway for the past forty three years. We
initially looked at Medway because of its proximity to my job. We fell in
love with the small town atmosphere which was so much like
Burlington where we both were raised.

HOW CAN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE YOUR WORK?

Do you have a website/gallery?
I do have a website listed below. But mostly I just hang the paintings
in my garage.  My website is at http://richpuleo.com/

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR ART CHANGE GROW AND BENEFIT OTHERS?

I like to try different things in my art, to stretch and challenge
myself. Some fail, but some surprise me. I hope that I can be an
inspiration for others to try a uniquely satisfying pastime

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO WITH YOUR ART IN THE FUTURE?

I would like my art to be an example of what you can do if you
simply believe that you can. I never imagined that art would play such a
prominent role in my life. As a recent author and illustrator of children’s
books, I have come to realize that you can do anything that you are able
to imagine. Watch for Rich Puleo’s children’s book, “Maggie’s Great Adventure”.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ART THRIVE IN MEDWAY AND HOW COULD MEDWAY
SUPPORT LOCAL ARTIST IN THEIR PURSUITS?

I wish there were a place where artists could go to talk to one another,
encourage one another and teach one another. A place where an artist’s
work could be displayed and appreciated would benefit both the artist
and the community

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO EXPRESS IN AND THROUGH YOUR ARTWORK?

That creation is ours to be enjoyed. No matter what medium you
employ, beauty is all around you if you just take the time to look
closely!

Visit medwayartists.wordpress.com to see the whole Rich Puleo story!