Ričardas Tuskenis

I came to this world with the first yellowish autumn leaves... I was born on 14 September 1967. My mom told me that that was the year with a rich harvest of apples, and that this considered to be a sign predicting war. Thanks God, this did not come true.
Since I came to this world in a colourful season, I started colouring everything in turn. In the beginning I did it in my mind only. Then I shifted to doing it on walls, on paper...
Subsequently, when I was a school-pupil in Vaikutėnai school, Utena district, a ten-year old boy, my mon took me to the Children’s Art School in Utena. I was accepted to the school even though I was the only one who had just one pencil and brought no paintings with me, whereas other children came with lots of pictures and lots of pencils. I studied there for four years. One of my teachers, Andrius Sirgailius, deeply stuck in my mind. There was something special about him, and he inspired me to go further.
It was quite accidentally that I acquired two types of education: one was something considered necessary while the other one was „something closer to my heart“. I graduated from a secondary school having basic skills and knowledge of art. Unfortunately, I failed in entering Stepas Žukas Technical School in Kaunas. Therefore, I entered Vilnius Civil Engineering Institute (currently Gediminas Technical University), civil and industrial engineering speciality. In 1988, after serving in the army, I took a decision, however, to quit my studies at the Civil Engineering Institute and try to enter Vilnius Art Institute. I was thoroughly preparing for this for almost the whole year. I took painting lessons from Giedrius Kazimierėnas and his wife Tatjana, while architect Albertas Domereckas taught me some basics of architecture. Eventually my dream came true and I became a student of the Art Institute. I graduated in 1995 when the Institute was already renamed into the Vilnius Art Academy, with a designer – artist’s speciality.
I painted my first Lady in a hat for the first LIFE Festival held in Vinius. The picture was bought by a German collector who had a passion for pictures depicting people in hats.
I also like hats. I long for the time when people were wearing hats... There was a period in my life when I did not paint hats. Then suddenly I was inspired by a new acquaintance followed by love... This was when a woman–muse appeared in my life. It is her that I feel endlessly thankful to for everything. One of my pictures is dedicated to D., my inspiration.
Human eyes represent a reflection of human soul. They reveal one’s inner feelings: happiness, sorrow, flirt... It depends on how you look at it. The character of a mesdemoiselle in a hat reflect a charming personality, therefore, it was not my intention to bring in too much of myself into it. I did not want to harm that feeling and the mood.
In my everyday life I am currently engaged in the design of personal and public interiors, furniture, and I also create graphic signs. I accept individual orders for painting works. I even started learning to play the guitar, since this is something I have also dreamt about. I have, in fact, restored an old guitar from scratch that I can play now.
However, that autumn paintbrush of mine never leaves me alone... I hereby come back to my LADIES IN HATS...