The Clown Also Cries

Don Ruffin

About The The Clown Also Cries

Painting is reportedly a self portrait.

This painting was the basis for an immensely popular collector plate titled The Clown Also Cries.

About Don Ruffin

(1927-1977)  "Don Ruffin grew up on a farm in the small town of Laveen, just outside of Phoenix.  It was during his childhood that he became acquainted with the Pimas and Maricopas which led to Don's strong love for the Southwest tribes.

Although forbidden by his father to become an artist, Don studied art throughout his school years. After graduating from Phoenix Union High School, he was hired by a local department store to work in their art department. In the mid-1950's he worked at KPHO-TV as the art director for various television shows including the "Wallace and Ladmo Show". His love for fine art led him to pursue art as a full time profession. In the 1970's an instructional teaching television series was aired on KPHO-TV called "Draw and Paint with Don Ruffin". The series won a Rocky Mountain Grant and was aired on PBS in the Rocky Mountain States.

Don's art has received international recognition for his love of the Southwest. His use of thick oil paint makes his work unique, impressionistic, and alluring. He has used this style to capture subject matter ranging from desert landscapes to still lifes to seascapes and portraits. He was commissioned to paint numerous portraits including Barry Goldwater, Mae West, and Jack London. Ruffin also worked with a variety of mediums including oils, pastels, and watercolors."  excerpted from AskArt.com 

Cultures

USA, Arizona

Medium

Paintings

Subject

Male

Keywords

Don Ruffin, Ruffin painting, clown painting