Interview: Lynne Rutherford
Lynne Rutherford is an Irish, Scottish Artist living in Brooklyn, New York. She creates energetic portals with her velvet paintings, textile sculptures and collage work. Bright, bold expressions of color course through her work, complimenting the fine layers of detail in each piece. She welcomes the viewer into these worlds that capture movement, time, and feeling, each artwork hinting at all the mysterious possibilities that lie beyond us and within us.
Read our interview with Lynne below!
Installation view of Exploration II, Circling the Sun, Exploration I, and Rising, 2021
PP: Walk us through a typical day in your studio or generally through your process to make new work.
LR: I start my time in the studio with a clean and tidy space- this helps me to allow for any project to come to life that day. I may be starting a new artwork from a sketch, continuing to build up details of works in progress or sometimes just playing around with the materials I have on hand for fun. This playful discovery process often allows new ideas to form. I listen to music while creating and will sporadically dance and move along to the rhythm while working on a project. Often inspiration comes from this physical expression, along with moments of quiet reflection.
In all her Glory, Dyed silk and velvet tufted with batting on foam core, 14 x 25 inches, 2023
Exploration I, Watercolor, gouache, dye and pigment on velvet, 26 x 38 inches, 2021
PP: What motivates you to make art?
LR: My motivation to create comes from a place of self expression and self preservation. When I allow myself to be free, to play and roam through my imagination it not only feeds my art with new ideas, but gives me a grounding sense of peace and joy within my daily life. Once finished, the artworks themselves embolden me to share their joy with others. That’s been an incredibly fulfilling gift, to see the work making an impact on others, even if only for a moment.
PP: What role do you think artists have in society today? What role should they have?
LR: In today's visually-oriented society, artists play a vital role in expressing new ideas and cultural shifts through imagery, acting as messengers with global reach, helped by technology. Their work can be a powerful tool for social, political, and environmental impact that deserves recognition and support. Yet most artists I know have to juggle full and part time work with their practice and sharing their creations - limiting their time to create. My hope is for all artists to connect with their audiences, share their message and be acknowledged and rewarded for their unique gifts to society, and hopefully sustain themselves through their talents alone.
Studio view of recent work from 2023 & 2024
PP: What would a dream project look like for you as an artist?
LR: I would love to make large scale immersive public art sculptures that live in green spaces. These sculptures will allow you to journey through, gather in and foster a connection to nature. My hope is that these spaces can be enjoyed by individuals and communities, to find solace in themselves and in their natural environment, to remember everything is connected.
PP: Favorite hobby outside of art?
LR: I love spending time in nature, especially by the sea. Whether I’m carving moments of peace in Prospect Park or laying on the sand at Jacob Riis beach, nature has and will always be my biggest inspiration and strongest place of refuge and rejuvenation.
To learn more about Lynne’s work, see her Instagram and Website