Artwork that sizzles. Bruce Budd at The Nook adds to dining experience with live drawings

TUSCARAWAS TWP. − Bruce Budd appeared oblivious to the buzz of activity surrounding him at The Nook restaurant as he worked on a portrait using charcoal in both hands.

Eyes focused on the art piece, he stood at the easel with his back turned to people who devoured ribs, brisket and other barbecue fare while sipping drinks on a Friday night at the eatery.

Customers paused and admired the drawing as they walked past. Others gazed from afar. Some diners walked up to Budd for a closer look and to ask him questions.

Budd courteously conversed while sketching and shading and coloring the rendering with both charcoal and soft pastel. And he took breaks to make sure the restaurant was running smoothly in his role as director of operations.

Budd's dual roles are unique to the restaurant business while creating an original ambience for patrons.

Artwork is a part-time pursuit for Budd, whose stepfather Jeff Mizarek and mother Wendy Mizarek own The Nook Smokehouse and Grille. The 2001 Massillon Washington High School graduate and former baseball standout also created the barbecue sauces served at the restaurant.

Budd, however, is also exploring other outlets for his art talents. He will be creating live art May 9 at the Canton Ballet's fundraising event, Relevé on the Rooftop: An Evening with Altitude on the Sky Level Terrace at the Hall of Fame Village in Canton. Budd's artwork will be auctioned. Tickets for the ballet fundraiser can be purchased at https://cantonballet.com/giving/releve-on-the-rooftop/.

And he also would like to exhibit his artwork.

"The whole goal is renting a brick warehouse to have a show," Budd said.

Ultimately, the 41-year-old artist would like to split his time between the restaurant and working at a design studio in spatial design, architecture and fine art.

"I don't see why you can't do both because, honestly, it's the same concept," Budd said. "Art is through the senses and food is taste and art and food are visual."

Yum central in Western Stark The Nook serves up barbecue and fancy fare: Ribs, wings, pulled pork, prime rib, salmon

Art career starts in downtown Atlanta

Budd's interest in art began as a student at Massillon City Schools.

College, as well as his baseball career, took him out of state.

Budd graduated in 2007 from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, where he majored in spatial design and architecture. He worked at advertising agencies in Atlanta before losing his job due to cutbacks during the recession of 2008.

Atlanta is also where he first created live art at a restaurant. Technique had been learned in general art classes in high school and college. Artwork progressed enough that Budd had a solo exhibition in downtown Atlanta, featuring his drawings and paintings. He was also recognized with an award as a promising artist.

Food and art: 'It's like singing two different songs.'

Atlanta is also where Budd explored an interest in food with the help of chef Paul Luna.

Moving to New York, Budd worked in marketing and design while his family started Up in Smoke Barbecue and Catering in the Massillon area. Budd also got in on the act by creating and bottling an original barbecue sauce. The sauce is used at The Nook and has been sold outside the restaurant as part of the Up in Smoke Barbecue Co., which Budd owns.

Budd also worked in the New York restaurant scene with the acclaimed late chef Gray Kunz, who used Budd's barbecue sauce at his establishments.

When his stepdad and mother purchased the former Oaks Club outside Massillon in 2021, Budd was in charge of reimagining and designing the exterior and interior. His design work and art are done under Bruce Budd Creative.

After The Nook opened at 12356 Millersburg Road, Budd decided to integrate his love for art.

"I was slightly apprehensive ... and then I thought, everyone listens to music (while they eat), which is art through sound, so why not have passive entertainment through the visual," he said. "And you've got art through food."

"Drawing with both hands creates a novel interest," Budd said. "And I would say the novel interest leads to conversation, and then it's the conversation that adds a layer of experience within the restaurant."

"At The Nook, one of our biggest concepts here is to be a step above," he said of combining elevated food with live art. "It's like singing two different songs."

Rave reviews for food ... and art

On a recent night at The Nook, customers were intrigued and impressed with Budd's artistry.

Dustin Page, 40, of Canton, was interested in purchasing one of his pieces on display.

"That one has feeling," Page said of a finished drawing. "I don't know how to explain it. His work is just gorgeous."

Tasty barbecue dishes and Budd's artwork make for a memorable night out, said Jonathan Rohrer, 56, and Christine Rohrer, 53, of Sugar Creek Township.

"He's very passionate about it," Jonathan Rohrer said of the artwork.

Added Christine Rohrer: "We always hear people talking about it, too."

"I think he has a good chance of having a studio," she said. "And obviously people would buy his artwork. It's beautiful, but he needs more time because restaurants are very demanding."

Budd's artwork: 'It's his essential, authentic self.'

Sherri Hornbrook, a retired Massillon City Schools teacher, said Budd's mirror imaging art technique is fascinating to watch.

She was referencing the photographs on which he bases his drawings and paintings.

"I was glad that he's here to do something positive and unique with the community," said Hornbrook, who was Budd's art teacher. "I hope everyone who steps in here (at The Nook) realizes this is a gift − it's his essential, authentic self."

People are typically the subjects he draws.

"I like that connection of being able to see subtle nuances between one person and another," Budd said. "If you can draw a human being and get their essence, then you can draw anything in the world."

Budd prefers drawing with charcoal because it's hands-on, plus "you can cover a wide space in a limited amount of time," he explained.

Other mediums include soft pastel, acrylic, oil, etching and graphite.

Working in a public setting instead of a studio must be challenging, Hornbrook said.

"He's being brave," she said. "He's perfectly comfortable; he's in his own zen. He can turn the other things off."

Poignant portrait: 'It touched my heart so deeply.'

Budd's artwork is especially meaningful to Sarita Cunningham, because he painted a portrait of her daughter, Amanda Cunningham, who died in a car crash in 2003.

Working from photos, Budd created a painting depicting Amanda as if she's an angel aloft in the clouds, Cunningham said.

"It's touched my heart so deeply because of the feeling of how he did the painting," she said while dining at The Nook. "And the emotion that was derived from it, and even though he didn't know Amanda, he somehow captured her spirit."

"We're so lucky in the community to have his talent," Cunningham added. "If he was in New York or somewhere, he would command hundreds of thousands of dollars, and we're lucky to have his talent in this small community."

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315. On X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP and Instagram at ed_balint.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ribs, brisket, live art featured at The Nook restaurant in Massillon