b'MUSIC.The Light Of My Soul And TheInspiration Of My CreativityB orn in Brazil, where he began painting atage seven, artist Tom Ruthz has traveled theworld, and once called Amsterdam home.He enjoys experiencing the culture and food in thecities he visits. He believes that wherever he is at themoment is where his soul belongs.Tomenjoyssharinghisknowledgeandtech-nique as much as he enjoys painting. He has beenteachingstudentstopaintfor37years.Currently,Tom resides in Sarasota where he has taught art inhis studio for the past seven years.In Brazil, Tom became known as the man whopaintedhorses.Fouryearsago,hebeganpaintingportraits of dogs, estimating he has painted 500 sofar. Now, people know me as the man who paintsdogs, he said. Usually, clients will bring their dogstothestudiotomeetme.Ithinkthismeetingisimportant, to get to know the dogs personality.OnFridayandSaturdayevenings,onemayfind Tompainting at Cafe BarBosso in Sarasota, where he amazesthe crowd by painting with the canvas upside down. It isa technique that forces him to perceive the compositioninadifferentwayandhelpshimfocusonbringingbalance and perspective to the painting, which could be ametaphor for life. Today, no matter what life brings me, I am inspiredby it.The cover of every issue of The New Barker has featured an originalwork of art by a different artist since the first issue published in2006. Tom Ruthz, shown above, is our cover artist for the issue youare holding now. Read In Toms Words on the following page.www.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 33'