Lost in the Art
Jennie Rutz cleverly captures the fabric of life in her art. Carlie Wacker gets lost in a world where style meets the sea.
Never far from the sea and always an exploration of the way we feel in fabric is the best way I can describe the works of our featured cover artist Jennie Rutz.
I am first drawn to the femininity illustrated through the fashion in her art.
Every muse in every creation is wearing clothing that creates a mood, real movement and forces us to explore the relationship we have with the garments we choose to adorn our bodies.
As a fashion writer and stylist, I understand very well the impact our clothing and presentation has on our demeanour, but I had not seen it so cleverly replicated in the form of acrylic art before.
I have since spent plenty of time diving deep into Jennie’s art and found myself creating a fabulous back story for each woman depicted in her paintings.
Lost In The Lounge is one of my favourite pieces from her most recent Lost In The Dress series. For me, this is woman in a most glorious orange floral gown rests wearily on her lounge and I’m thinking it’s been a most fabulous fashion soirée she has just attended!
Lost In The City is my dream outfit and creates a sense of calm yet curious excitement as to what is around the corner. Intriguing and mysterious.
For Jennie, the title Lost in the Dress had a double meaning.
“It can refer to getting lost in a place while wearing a certain dress, or the feeling of being lost within the dress itself,” she said.
“These two concepts could play out separately or together. While our clothing is superficial, changing outfits can change how we feel in our own skin and our whole experience of the day.”
Jennie also believes that the outfit you wore at a certain place and time has played a part in that experience – how you feel when you wear an outfit has the power to drive the experience.
I agree wholeheartedly – this is precisely why you should detach yourself from anything in your wardrobe that makes you feel anything but sensational.
“Dresses may be chosen to remedy feelings we have before getting dressed. They may be selected to enhance confidence, for protection, to gain attention, or to blend in,” she adds.
The way we dress impacts our lives and the way Jennie Rutz dresses her muses in her artworks really captures the mood and a moment in life.
Most of Jennie’s art features women and she said her work tended to have a particular focus on the feminine, perhaps due to the influence of growing up with three sisters.
She also has a real connection with the sea although she grew up in the Canadian badlands surrounded by prairies.
Jennie spent many years in Italy (another fashionable place that inspires her art) but now that the Sunshine Coast is home, the beach inspires her the most.
Winter is the title of the cover art in this issue and perfectly captures the Sunshine Coast life in cooler months. This magical artwork brings a smile to my face and I can smell the sea and feel the cool wind through my hair just as Jennie explains it:
“I love the contrasting feelings of cool air on bare legs and the warm, fuzziness of a sweater hugging your arms,” she said. “The soles of your feet pushing heavily against the rocks while your hair is lightly tossed around in the breeze. Combined with the sound of waves in your ears makes a wonderful mix of sensations.
“This woman firmly stands her ground, looking at the viewer from beneath her dancing hair. Arms folded, guarding, protecting. A pose for surviving the winter, metaphorical or otherwise.
“When spring comes, she will soften, let her guard down, and when the time is right, she will shed her armour and bloom.”
The latest collection of paintings by Jennie Rutz can be seen at 4564 Exposure on the Sunshine Coast and her original paintings are held in private collections in Canada, Italy and Australia.
Where feminine style meets the sea is at the heart of Jennie’s art. Explore her works at www.jennierutz.com
