finding the light

love yourself... food

ruta rose

Sometimes you meet the art before you meet the artist. It was the case when I saw her artwork on Facebook. I fell in love with her use of color, movement, and the creative shaping of objects pulled me into the paintings. Then wait, the lines are moving, or is it my eyes? I thought to myself, Is this done on purpose, or is it just the way she sees the world? I wanted to see and know more. Also, the process behind the artwork, beginning with beautiful drawings which the gestures were amazing.

While at the J. Leon Gallerie’s Shop, Sip N’ Stroll event enjoying the variety of artists’ work I finally meet Ruta. We had the opportunity to talk about her art and our favorite types of art. I told her that her use of light in her paintings reminded me of searching for light in photography. Ruta introduced me to her daughter who is the model in “Blue Screen Madonna”. After some more small talk about where we are from and things we like to do in the area, I asked Ruta if she would like to be featured in amuse magazine. I had one of the past issues in the car so I got it to show her. She said it could be fun and may help promote her work. We scheduled a quick photoshoot at Turkey Creek in Niceville and a couple of those images are here.

Ruta is a member of ADSO in Fort Walton Beach and her work is in many galleries in Northwest Florida. I feel you will enjoy her work as much as I did when I first saw it. She does take commission works for people wanting an original piece of quality art of or for your family. You can see her artwork in progress on Facebook at facebook.com/ruta.and.rose

“Dismal Garden”

“Spring Sunset”

“Fairies in the Forest”

Get To Know Ruta

1. Where do you find inspiration?

Most inspiring is light. Bright strong golden hour light, that changes everything in to better version of themselves. Gold light veils everything into beauty and tranquility, always complimented by strange,long,dramatic shadows. To me it’s magical hour.

2. What is your favorite color?

Real question is: Favorite color in what !?! My favorite color to wear is black. I think it matches my soul, LOL. To live in : Is gray, silent color hugging, warm, accepting it all, no questions asked. To look at: Ultraviolet, like you can see in James Turrell installations or sunsets at Grand Canyon. To paint with: Olive green, this pigment is so rich and deep it can pass as pitch black or it can be spring green. I love all colors. Every tube of color is endless possibilities of things it can be formed into. I just “melt” in paint aisle of art supply store.

3. Did you like to paint as kid ? When did u start?

Of course I started very young, just like every kid loves to create art. Every kid is good at it, then they get compared, criticized, laughed at and they stop.

4. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Art today for me is some what is only reason to get out of bed. Going through rough patch of life for a little while now. It fills my days allows me to create imaginary places, different reality.

5. What does your art mean to you ? How does does it make you feel?

Most of my life I had very little and was confined in somewhat barren places. So I created things and made things , pets, houses, gardens. Pets out of empty match boxes and paper. Houses out of shampoo bottles. Gardens out of dried leaves and flowers. And dresses for my princesses out of drapes hanging in living room. It turned out big “no no” with my mother. Now my art supplies are much nicer. And just recently finished doll house I always wanted to have. Today I can be anywhere in my paintings, working with photography I get to feel places.

6. How others explain your style?

Recently I have abandoned idea of “pleasing the client”. Because of support of my husband, I let myself to paint what I want, what I see. I’m showing how solid objects are moving and vibrating. There is nothing still there like moving water and branches, everything is in motion. Some people say it makes them dizzy. But even horizon of ocean has imperfections. People just need to open eyes and walk outside, and they will see there is no straight line in universe. Just ask astrophysicist!

7. You paint in oils? What other mediums do you like to use?

I studied in art school ink, pencil drawing, print. That’s all my mom was able to afford while I was in school. Little bit of watercolor too. Today I absolutely enjoy oil paints, I’m kind of self-taught, still learning.

^ “Open Jam”

8. Five Favorite Movies?

These are my 5 favorite Movies for long time: Forest Gump (Life is really like a box of chocolate, you never know what you will get) Thomas Crown Affair (1999). (Most elegant thriller ever ) First 50 Dates (Most romantic love story) Some Like It Hot (Delicious get away from every day grind) Spirited Away (anime) (Everyone can relate to fighting for existence and success in strange land)

9. Type of music you listen to while creating artwork?

For many years CCR, Smokey was my “insulin”. Lately when I work I listen to Indie Rock, Electronica, Electro pop, such as Odezza, Tycho, Parra for Cuva.

< “4th of July” “Past the Sunset” “Monique”