Ed Ruscha Stars in Band of Outsiders' New Lookbook

By Véronique Hyland 04/11/12 at 01:00 PM

Ed Ruscha Band of Outsiders

Ruscha pursuing his hobbies in the Band of Outsiders Spring 2012 lookbook.

Studio art majors everywhere, take heart. You may not be consigned to a garret after all. If you make it as an art superstar, you might even be able to start a second career as a model at age 74, as Ed Ruscha has done. Who says there are no second acts in life?

The painter is the latest star of Band of Outsiders' lookbook. In the Polaroid-based campaign, he is depicted posing with his motorcycle, deciphering a Sudoku puzzle and even reading Acrylic Painting for Dummies (good to know he's got a sense of humor!)

Designer Scott Sternberg, a former Hollywood agent, is known for casting non-models in his ads; some of his past lookbook stars range from actresses (Michelle Williams and Kirsten Dunst) to comedians (Sarah Silverman) to rappers (Childish Gambino). According to a representative for the brand, Ruscha is an acquaintance of Sternberg's, and he's been on the designer's model wishlist for some time.

We're sure Ruscha, who's rarely lost for words (just look at his canvases) would have an aphorism or two at the ready.