Timothy Von Rueden

The American illustrator describes to Gary Evans the eternal conflict between creating art that means something and art that makes money

- Gary evans 

There’s a question that we like to ask artists. It’s a slightly awkward and admittedly, slightly pretentious question. Sometimes the answer will be short, evasive, diplomatic. Other times the answer will be long, theoretical, philosophical. Either way, directly or indirectly, the answer always tells you something interesting about the artist and their work. The question is this: what’s the difference between good art and great art?

Timothy Von Rueden understands – and partly agrees – with the usual objections to this question: that art shouldn’t be judged, that art is subjective. “However,” the American artist says, “over the years, I’ve found everyone actually does have an opinion, but it’s taboo to share that opinion with others. I do believe there is a difference, and this belief often gets me in trouble.”

Timothy doesn’t have an “official job.” He doesn’t answer to clients or art directors. He doesn’t have to adapt his style to fit game developers or animation studios. So it may seem like Timothy has no problem giving an honest answer to our question because he makes art solely to please himself. not the case.

Timothy’s career is, in one sense, very modern: he uses social media to promote his own range of sketchbooks, original artwork, prints and enamel pins. However, he faces the same old problem that artists have always faced. The gallery is now Instagram. The ​patron is now the follower. But the aim is still the same: get the work seen and get the work sold.