‘The Regulars’ by Samual Ruder, 2018
Vibrant original watercolor (and more!) on paper from the Matisse-inspired surrealist artist.
Based on Ruder's 'The Regulars' artwork and print series from 2018 (see photo).
11.2 x 15.3 Inches
28.4 x 38.8 Centimeters
20.2 x 24.2 x 0.8 Inches (framed)
Colorful watercolor and ink on 300gsm fine art paper with hand-deckled edges.
Original artwork (#1/1)
Titled by hand, thumb-printed and embossed by the artist.
Unique freehand line drawing by Ruder on reverse in black ink.
Large, hand-painted, mixed media artwork on framing foam-core reverse (see photos).
Titled 'Out There' and hand-signed "Ol Ruder" in black marker.
*Note: Professionally custom framed in acid-free matting, UV-glass and thin, black aluminum frame molding.
ABOUT THE ART
Balancing dreamlike surrealism with playful abstraction, Samuel Ruder’s work blends influences ranging from Henri Matisse and modern folk art to outsider illustration and contemporary pop surrealism. 'The Regulars' captures that eccentric visual language through a lineup of bizarre, colorful figures gathered beneath floating planets and stars — creating a scene that feels equally cosmic, humorous, and strangely intimate. Executed in watercolor and ink on heavy 300gsm fine art paper with hand-deckled edges, the piece carries the loose spontaneity and layered texture that define Ruder’s original works.
What elevates this example far beyond a standard work on paper is the sheer amount of additional artist intervention throughout the piece. The artwork is hand-titled, thumb-printed, embossed, and marked as a unique original (#1/1), while the reverse reveals an entirely separate freehand ink drawing alongside a large mixed-media painted composition titled 'Out There', hand-signed “Ol Ruder” in bold marker.
In effect, the framing contains multiple original artworks simultaneously — transforming the piece into both a finished presentation and a kind of visual sketchbook from the artist’s studio practice. Professionally custom framed with archival matting, UV-protective glass, and minimalist black aluminum molding, it presents as a vibrant contemporary surrealist centerpiece with exceptional one-of-a-kind character.