At the age of 12 he was studying at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Several years later, with a master's degree from Chico State University under his belt, he began teaching art at the college level. Pretty soon he was spending a summer in Paris, teaching and taking in the sights during his spare time.

For impressionist Raymond Kruger, now in his 70th year, painting is more than just a pastime.

"I would love it if I could focus all of my time on my painting," said Kruger in an interview last week. "Unfortunately, the pocketbook controls all."

Sponsored by Avenue 9 Gallery, Kruger's artwork can be viewed at the French Gourmet Bakery and Deli. The exhibit is part of Avenue 9's "Plein Air Extravaganza" (see below for details). Kruger's work is also shown downtown at Chico Paper Co.

A resident of Paradise since 1980, Kruger supports his love for painting by working as a carpenter.

"It can be fun to spruce up an old (building)," he said. "They, too, can be works of art."

One of five boys, Kruger believes his artistic nature was passed down from his father, who also worked as a carpenter and decorator.

"My folks picked me out to be the artist in the family. That is why I got to go to Chicago."

At the Art Institute, Kruger studied life drawing, painting with oils and focusing on figures and human anatomy. He was also instructed to paint scenes of his home life, most of which depicted his family's farm.

A father himself, the artistic gene seems to have once again been passed on. Kruger's children have chosen career paths that include painter, graphic design artist and video editor. Though, said Kruger, much of the credit should be given to his wife, also an artist.

"She is better than me. She is my critic. I always ask her what she thinks."

For his art, Kruger prefers to use water-soluble acrylic paints, which do not contaminate the ground when thrown out. Kruger will add a little oil now and then to embellish his works. Acrylic paint, which becomes smooth and easy to manipulate when mixed with varnish, is also fast drying -- a definite plus, said Kruger.

"It is great for the painter on the go. When you are working outside and you can just pick up your canvas and go without having to wait for it to dry, it makes the whole process easier."

Similar to a mural painter, Kruger keeps it simple when it comes to color, using only red, yellow and blue -- which he buys in half-gallon tubs. If he really needs it, he will pick up a tube of something special. He also believes in keeping his collection of tools down to the bare minimum: one or two brushes (whatever you can find cheap) and his canvas.

"My desire is to get painting down to the basics, the simplest thing people can do," he explained. "I want people to realize that anyone can be an artist, and you don't need a lot of money do it. You just have to learn to make the list short. If you have a rag, a couple of brushes, a canvas, you have it all."

To add a little bit of fun to a project, or to get that special effect, Kruger even suggests experimenting by painting with one's fingers, a sponge or even a stick.

Sometimes Kruger finds opportunities to bring his art into the everyday world. He once worked with drug rehabilitation patients in Modoc County, teaching them to paint as a substitute for substance abuse. He lived with them and had them painting everyday as a form of therapy.

"It is a little out of the ordinary. People would have their whole families with them. Some were so thrilled to get started, having never painted before. I did that for four years. It was really a great program."

He also taught art at public schools in Oroville, teaching drawing using both charcoal and pencil. The kids learned the value lines and difference of strokes, changing from dark to light, thin to wide. He also taught a bit of armature and sculpture.

"The kids would clap and cheer (when I came)," he remembered. "They would shout, The artist is here.' I would give them the paints or pencils and away they'd go. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. All you heard was the scratch, scratch, scratch of them working. I was really happy to be there."

For his own artwork, trips to Southern California are often in order. He frequently paints scenes of Crystal Cove, located close to Laguna Beach, where he finds the mix of manmade buildings and nature interesting.

"I could spend a lifetime painting there and never capture it all."

He also focuses on the comings and goings of the very industrial Los Angeles area.

"They have the most amazing freeways in L.A.," he said. "They are almost repulsive, and yet so graceful and such works of art. And the cars -- colorful, metallic bodies, sometimes zooming this way and that, and sometimes a traffic jam creating a frozen picture. It can be quite a sight."

Though he takes regular trips down south, it is in Northern California that he wants to stay.

"This is the one town I think I could stay in forever. It's the only place that's ever felt like home. There is something about the culture here, it's magical. And Bidwell Park (in Chico) -- where can you find anything that compares?"

Plein Air Extravaganza'

Explanation: A two-month series of exhibits and events celebrating spring and the art of painting outdoors, sponsored by Avenue 9 Gallery.

Exhibits: "Human/Nature," featuring impressionistic paintings by Ray Kruger, through May 2 at French Gourmet Bakery and Deli, 1910 The Esplanade; "In the Garden," featuring paintings, photographs, sculptures and ceramics by various artists, through May 23 at Avenue 9 Gallery, 180 E. Ninth Ave.; and "Plein Air Painters of Chico and Paradise," May 2-30 at French Gourmet Bakery.

Events: All held at Avenue 9 Gallery -- Saturday, Polaroid transfer workshop by Ann Mitchell, 1-4 p.m.; May 1, plein-air painting workshop with Kruger, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; May 2, Sunday Salon featuring artists from "In the Garden" show, 2-4 p.m.; and May 14, lecture on 19th-century French plein-air painting by Dolores Mitchell, 7 p.m.

Extra: Plein-air painting campaign, featuring artists painting a different Chico garden each day, May 15-21. Culminates in a sidewalk sale called "Fresh Paint," May 22 and 23 at Avenue 9 Gallery.

Elaboration: Dolores Mitchell or Maria Phillips at Avenue 9 Gallery, 879-1821.