Part model-maker, part painter and part photographer, artist Richard Tuschman blends both classic and 21st-century techniques in his work, currently on display through Sept. 28 in an exhibit, “Beautiful Terrible Things: The Work of Richard Tuschman,” at MTSU’s Baldwin Photographic Gallery.

Tuschman’s MTSU exhibit features 24 images from his major bodies of work, “Hopper Meditations” and ”Once Upon a Time in Kazimeirz.” He began experimenting with digital imaging in the early 1990s, developing a style that synthesized his interests in photography, painting and assemblage that included dioramas and live subjects.

He creates his images by building, painting and photographing dollhouse-sized sets in his studio, keeping everything to a scale that allows his cat, Smithers, to fit inside. He then photographs his live models against a plain gray backdrop and combines the images into digital composites with Photoshop.

“The idea of digitally marrying dioramas and live models evolved quite organically over many years of working in both the fine art and commercial spheres,” Tuschman said in a recent interview with Nashville Arts magazine. “It is really a product of my temperament, sensibility and acquired skills.”

”The Potato Eaters” from art photographer Richard Tuschman’s ”Once Upon a Time in Kazimeirz” collection is part of the new fall exhibit at MTSU’s Baldwin Photographic Gallery through Sept. 28. “Beautiful Terrible Things: The Work of Richard Tuschman” also features images from Tuschman’s “Hopper Meditations” collection; both are created by building, painting and photographing dollhouse-sized sets in his studio, then photographing live models against a plain gray backdrop and combining the images into digital composites with Photoshop. (Photo courtesy of Richard Tuschman)

Tuschman holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and has been exhibited and received awards both internationally and in the United States, including the CENTER Awards’ “Project Launch” First Place Award. His photographs have been published in numerous online magazines and journals, including Slate, LensCulture, LensScratch and Huffington Post, and his commercial work has been featured by Adobe Systems, The New York Times, Penguin, Sony Music, Newsweek and Random House.

The internationally recognized artist, who lives and works in New York City, spoke about his work Sept. 5 in a free public lecture in the Bragg Media and Entertainment Building.

MTSU’s Baldwin Photographic Gallery, part of the university’s College of Media and Entertainment, is located in Room 269 on the second floor of the Bragg Media and Entertainment Building. A campus parking map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap.

Off-campus guests visiting the Baldwin Gallery should obtain a special one-day permit from MTSU’s Office of Parking and Transportation at www.mtsu.edu/parking/visit.php.

The gallery is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays when MTSU classes are in session.

Public tours can be arranged by contacting gallery curator Jackie Heigle at jackie.heigle@mtsu.edu.

For more information about MTSU’s Baldwin Photographic Gallery, visit http://baldwinphotogallery.com or www.facebook.com/BaldwinPhotoGallery. To learn more about Tuschman’s work, visit his website, www.richardtuschman.com.

“Pink Bedroom (Family)” from art photographer Richard Tuschman’s “Hopper Meditations” collection is part of the new fall exhibit at MTSU’s Baldwin Photographic Gallery through Sept. 28. “Beautiful Terrible Things: The Work of Richard Tuschman” also features images from Tuschman’s ”Once Upon a Time in Kazimeirz” collection. (Photo courtesy of Richard Tuschman)