"I'm inspired by how unique the American person is, like the working cowboy, the farmer and other self-made American personas," Gussin said.

In June, Gussin, along with 10 other members of the Arts Guild of Willow Glen, will display their artwork at the 10th annual Artfest at the Triton. The art show brings together more than 200 local artists who display and sell their original fine art in the sculpture gardens of the museum.

There has to be a better way to make a living, a painting of a contemplative rodeo cowboy will be juried at the show. Another work, Natalie in the Corn, a portrait of his daughter in a corn field, will also be on display.

"The painting of my daughter was really technically challenging and really pushed my abilities in watercolors," he said.

Gussin, who works primarily in watercolor and oil, won two awards of excellence at last year's Triton Artfest for his paintings Evelyn's Daughter and Wilder's Rest. Evelyn's Daughter, a portrait of his former wife, also won the Triton Museum Purchase Award, the museum's highest award.

The 10th annual Artfest at the Triton will held on June 4-5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the sculpture gardens of the Triton Museum of Art, 1505 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara. For more information, visit www.tritonmuseum.org.