We Are Upstate NY With Designer and Artist Amanda Russo Rubman

INSIDE+OUT Upstate NY is pleased to introduce Hudson Valley artist Amanda Russo Rubman, the visionary behind AR, an intersection of varied mediums woven together by passion and joy for the present moment. As a fine artist and commercial designer, Amanda exquisitely cradles the world of art and commerce. Her work reveals an intriguing, poetic love for light, organic forms and texture, and a relationship with nature– expressed through graphic design, fashion, sculpture and objets d’art. Her experience encompasses marketing, image making and creative branding “for iconic, heritage and emerging” companies. Based in Accord, she helps awaken a more visceral experience in others through all she creates or brings attention to.

“More than the medium, my expression is intended to be experiential,” she explains, “igniting greater presence through sensuality, movement, mood and connection.”

Let’s get to know the multi-talented artist Amanda Russo Rubman ….

Where were you born, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley? Where are you based?

Long Island, but I lived in New York City and Brooklyn longer than anywhere else. I fell in love with Mohonk Mountain House in the late 90s when producing a men’s campaign (early digital shoot) onsite. As the years passed, my girls and I took regular trips there. When Brooklyn was no longer fully fulfilling, we drew an 87-mile radius around the city. We looked at five very random houses in one day. The last and final property of the day was in Accord. I didn’t have to get out of the car to know I was in love.

You specialize in all the things – branding, creative direction, production, and styling. How did you get your start in the industry? Tell us about your journey to now.

When attending undergraduate at NYU, I interned at an advertising agency. I was intrigued by the juxtaposition of the creative and strategic process to produce a campaign or develop a brand: uniting and supporting multidisciplinary talent for a purpose (campaign/branding), imagining together (conception), curating a team to bring a vision to life (the shoot) and the unseen talent of post-production and wow what a feeling when it’s live. I held respect for all talent and departments, had a driving need for every project to exceed seamlessly, put in countless all-nighters and collaborated with great clients, work family and mentors; all elements that pushed me to be a director before 30.

I am happiest when I push myself into the unknown. Starting on my own with one very small client was exhilarating. The hustle, education, evolution and then finally, one day, it all hit; I was working with luxury brands (fashion, beauty, home) who wanted to give me the tools to help realize their vision or mine. Somewhere between that moment, taking Interior Design classes at Parsons, starting my first studio, acknowledging I was a photographer and finding the Accord house, I became grounded.

When did you decide to start your agency, and what sets you apart from your competition?

My passion comes from learning and after a decade in the same space, it was time to push myself further. My foundation was in the care of Madison Ave madmen. I came of age under the first female agency leaders when the internet, digital, social and AI were born. The “work” provides me joy, stress, challenges, collaboration and solutions and, at its best, delivers something rewardingly beautiful. I believe in narrative. I can make a 3-second video visually and narratively compelling, but- I prefer the beauty of the raw long-form edit + mood/story boards + artistic / brand debate that informs the process.

What inspired you to enter product design and create your own line of art and lighting? Tell us about your creative inspiration and process.

My first form of creative expression is for the art of dressing. Layering textures, movement of a garment, changing shapes, fabric dancing in the light sets a mood, my mood… Whether lying on the ground to take a photo, elbow deep in clay or sitting at the computer, my process begins with that first layer of expression- dress. My art emerged from my design needs and desire to visually storytell in my personal space.

Where can people buy your art and products?

On my Instagram site @amanda.russo.rubman, at Three Turtle Doves in Woodstock and at various exhibitions.

As an artist, what is your favorite medium?

More than the medium, my expression is intended to be experiential- I often say creating a moment to get lost in. My need to create comes out of a direct desire to capture or harness a mood.

Currently, I am most drawn to sculpture. It complements the way that my mind processes and visualizes regardless of the material: clay, lucite, paper, wood, something found…

What is one question you’re constantly asked or the biggest misconception about your work?

I can be defined by this moment. I am always working towards something, but for me, the joy is the journey.

How do you grow your business / How do your clients find you?

Every client has been a referral and I’m grateful for that. I’ve had clients for 20+ years.

What are you working on now that you’re excited about?

I am excited about everything. Recently, I completed a sculpture created in protest of U.S. women’s rights slipping away entitled “Nature of Femininity.” This expression is my outcry. I vote, protest, write, call and donate.  And yet, it feels like our voices are disintegrating. We are nature, beauty, strength and unstoppable if we stand as one. Standing nearly 8 feet tall, it symbolizes the grounding beauty of women united.

Currently, I am taking a series of ongoing workshops at Woodstock School of Art with Kate McGloughlin, Joan Ffolliott and Carol Griffin. Three female artists continue to expand my knowledge, whether they are providing me with inspirational, nourishing guidance. I’m in the process of creating a collection, engaging with artists and talent on a few explorations and submitting for exhibitions. I can’t stop imagining and creating.

What has been your favorite project to date?

AR Studio’s popup in Woodstock at the annex of Three Turtle Doves. That expression hit on every note of my heart and evolving passions: grounded in the trust of TTD, creating a brand from scratch, curating every piece of artwork (local, beyond and mine), capsule collaborations, sourcing vintage décor and furnishings, envisioning and bringing to life a store, capturing the space through stills, motion + music, engaging with local artists, discovering new community, drives through the reservoir, the joy of dressing for the space, hanging every nail, discussing art, light and all things design. A pure dream. Our late 1800s barn (my private studio and more) is slowly coming to life with the barn’s premier outdoor exhibition for Upstate Art Weekend 2023, AR in the Raw. The feature was a collaboration of nine artists showing at full scale “in our world.” Their expression was reimagined at 1/6th scale and then presented through the eyes of Catskills Barbie on a replica of the barn she created.

What would be your dream project?

I’m living it. Knowledge, evolution, expression, nature, share, repeat.

What is it about the Hudson Valley that makes it unique to live + work here?

The community, community of intensely talented and inspiring women, landscape + additional endless layers of community.

What impact does your business have on your community?

When popping up, I was engaging with more and more talent; the walls became denser and client engagements became deeper. I hope AR delivers on creating connections, joy in discussion / viewing/placing art and furniture or reward of a successful brand expression. This year I am honored to join the board of WAAM in hopes of creating another layer to honor the community.

What local businesses do you rely on to be successful?

This question makes me want to write a directory, so I will touch on a few that are all self-care related… Ongoing education Woodstock School of Art, Maria Vera, who helps my uninsulated barn skin stay vibrant, Three Turtle Doves, a space that is a living installation, Maplelawn 1843 the heartbeat of antiques and community, Mediate with Rachel (Vedic), consultations with Lenorganized, all local farm shopping including CSAs with Tributary + Solid Ground and O&W Rail trail + Mohonk as my little tornado Oliver (English Bulldog) needs his exercise too.

Who or what inspires you personally?

Courage, style, loyalty, and light.

Tell us something about yourself that people might be surprised to know.

My book collection rivals my closet.

What would be your dream local Staycation?

This one is too joyously expansive. I’ve had wonderful experiences at so many venues, from stays to dining to coffee/cocktails to music to spas to museums to farmstands to small shopping to hiking. I try to share these experiences on my Instagram stories, as there are so many wonderful small businesses.

What is your current state of mind?

Imagine, create, learn, inspire, lose myself (process, light, nature), connect and share. Repeat.

Is there anything exciting coming up that we should look out for?

I am honored to be showing at Artport Kingston as part of “Where We Are” from March 16th – April 21st. The ongoing curation of the stunning raw space often brings me to tears. I cannot believe that I am creating an installation to be shown through Artport’s lens.

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Follow Amanda Russo Rubman of AR Creative Studio via Website | Instagram | Inside+Out Spotlight

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