For over a century, our region has been home to extraordinary artists. Local Arts Index highlights the work of individuals who continue our community’s rich creative legacy.

Meet Vera Rulon.

How Did You Become an Artist?

My father was an artist. I think I inherited his love for visual arts. He was also a Russian Orthodox priest, and he had drawings to help him easily locate where he was in his handwritten sermons.

My sister is an artist, too. Although I studied visual arts for a short while in college, I ended up taking a different path as that is how life tends to be.

What kind of art do you make?

I draw. I draw on anything. Paper napkins, chopstick wrappers, wine foils, and paper (of course). Most times I leave my art behind, but not always.

For example, I recently drew my place setting and soup at a local eatery. We had dinner there after a fundraiser for the arts in the local school district with good friends.

Other times, I’ve left drawings at weddings, family gatherings, special events and even airports. I take a photo of my drawing and leave it for someone to find.

I do not know what happens to most of the drawings. There is something gratifying about sharing a moment and hopefully putting a smile on someone’s face.

What’s Your Muse?

To me, everything is a canvas. If it’s a hidden face in a rock, I take a picture (I have a continuing photography series called “Finding Faces in the Strangest Places”). Details at a location or event are often a great way to capture a moment for a leave behind picture.

Once I drew an empty chair to memorialize a friend and colleague we lost in 2013. Another time I drew the tent from a pig roast fundraiser for a local fire department on the raffle ticket. Another time I drew my bag of nuts and soda on a napkin on an airplane while in flight. While we were visiting friends in New Orleans and while at a restaurant I was faced with a paper table cloth, and this started it all. I drew the group with crayon, as this was the only medium available at the time. I now always carry some sort of drawing pen with me at all times. I never know when I may come across a blank canvass!

What’s Next?

I am forever looking at how I can use my art to help others. I recently painted my first Walking Gallery jacket in support of patient empowerment. Each jacket that we wear at healthcare conferences, tells a story. I hope to paint more jackets to support the movement started by Regina Holliday.

I also hope to use my art to help in any way I can in support of all the arts. Several of us started a not for profit in support of the arts in the Nyack School District, Arts Angels Inc. An excellent experience that I hope to leverage for future projects.

What’s next? I hope to find more ways to collaborate with kindred spirits to expand all the arts not only in schools, but in communities. We can change the world. We can do it through the arts: through stories, pictures, and music!

To see more visit artbyvera.