Michael Rudis (1964-2019)

Writes the late Michael Rudis: "I started painting in 2001, after my career in HVAC tanked, and I had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 1989. Sometime in 2002, I met Irene in Naperville and learned about The Awakenings Project. My first Awakenings show was in 2003 at the Oak Park Art League. I was in many other shows with them, and I also had a one-person show in Lemont at The Artful Gatherings in 2004. It was very successful, and launched my solo career. I had my own website, exhibited in many shows in Lemont and elsewhere, and also in October 2004, I won a First Place Prize for my body of work in the NAMI-IL Convention. I still believe in The Awakenings Project for helping me get my start, and I continue to work with people at the studio and in exhibitions. In the future, I plan on getting a Winnebago, driving it to Key West, and working on my artwork on the way there and back."