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Work Samples

Sunset at 10,000 Feet

My view of the sun setting in Halaeakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii. 16"x40" Acrylic on Canvas 2018

Prayer for a Friend

I believe many artists will say that there is a certain spiritual something that comes along side creating. It's the pursuit of an ideal, a wish, a different reality, or just plain hope. Creating can be like praying - putting something into the world so forcefully, and so often, that we hope it makes a difference, somewhere. This painting is just that. The memory of something beautiful and perfect, and the hope for more of it. 8"x10" Acrylic on Wood Panel 2018

Iao Valley

Iao Valley State Park. Based on my visit to Maui, Hawaii in June 2018. 10"x10" Acrylic on Canvas 2018

Hemorrhage & Rheumatism

These traditional quilt patterns were once used to share histories and to signal on the Underground Railroad. The plants, now seen as weeds, were the basis for healing and nutrition. Both are traditions lost, but now raised up, as a reminder of who we are and where we have come from. 23"x30" Gouache, Pressed Common Thistle & Shepherd's Purse on Aquarelle Paper 2018

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About Magan

Baltimore City

Magan Ruthke's picture
A self-taught artist, Magan has been a long time resident of Baltimore City, Maryland, where she spent 15 years with the Children’s Museum in Baltimore. She re-directed her path to become a certified naturalist, professional artist, and informal educator at World House Community Supported Education. With a diverse interest in subject matter, Magan hopes to evoke connections from the human-created world to the world living and breathing all around us. She highlights her travels, her love of the natural... more
View Magan's Resume

Exposed Traditions

Patterns once used to share histories and to signal on the Underground Railroad. Plants, now seen as weeds, that were the basis for healing and nutrition. Traditions lost, but now raised up, as a reminder of who we are and where we have come from.

Lazy Whale Mural

A commission to design and execute a pattern based mural for a private vacation home in Ocean City, MD.

October 2018

Abstract/Naturally

As a naturalist, the smallest elements in nature focus sharply, while backdrops blur and become a nest of feeling. The hoof of a deer, the twirl of a vine, these are the things that stay with me. By sharply seperating these details from their greater canvas, I hope to remind the audience that the smallest moments are sometimes the most memorable.

Landscapes: Near and Far

Bitter cold winters. Seemingly barren volcanic landscapes. Lush mountains. Bright architecture. These are the images of my travels.

  • Natural Bridge in Winter

    18"x18" Acrylic on Canvas 2018 View of Natural Bridge, Virginia on New Years Day 2018

  • Sunset at 10,000 Feet

    16"x40" Acrylic on Canvas 2018 View from Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

  • Iao Valley

    10"x10" Acrylic on Canvas 2018 View of Iao Valley State Park, Maui, Hawaii

  • Mariatorget

    12"x12" Acrylic on Canvas 2018 Neighborhood of Mariatorget, Stockholm as seen walking across the bridge from Old Town.

  • The Frozen Stream

    40"x30" Acrylic on Recycled Canvas 2018 Winter View of Raphine, Virginia Ranch Land

  • Winter in Patapsco

    6"x6" Gouache on Paper 2018 Winter View of Patapsco State Park, MD

  • Natural Bridge in Winter #2

    4"x6" Acrylic on Canvas 2018 A smaller, custom work created based on the original "Natural Bridge in Winter"

  • Casa de los Venados

    4"x12" Acrylic on Canvas 2017 View of Casa de los Venados, Valledolid, Mexio

  • Vulcan Lonquimay

    10"x10" Acrylic on Canvas 2015 Hike to the caldera of Vulcan Longquimay, Chile.

Folk Art Steps

A commission to create and execute a folk art mural on the steps of a private residence in Charles Village, Baltimore, MD.

Completed in spring 2018.

  • Completed Lower Folk Art Steps

    Completed section of the upper set of steps. A collaborative effort between the home owners and myself, the design was created to reflect the previous designs painted on the upper molding of the home. Latex on Concrete.

  • Completed Upper Folk Art Steps

    Completed section of the upper set of steps. A collaborative effort between the home owners and myself, the design was created to reflect the previous designs painted on the upper molding of the home. Latex on Concrete.

  • Folk Art Steps Upper Detail

    Detail of the upper set of steps. A collaborative effort between the home owners and myself, the design was created to reflect the previous designs painted on the upper molding of the home. Latex on Concrete.

  • Lower Folk Art Steps Detail

    Detail of the lower set of steps. A collaborative effort between the home owners and myself, the design was created to reflect the previous designs painted on the upper molding of the home. Latex on Concrete.

  • Upper Steps: Sketch

    Preliminary drawings of the upper set of steps of the house. A collaborative effort between the home owners and myself, the design was created to reflect the previous designs painted on the upper molding of the home. Prisma color on velum.

  • Lower Steps: Sketch

    Preliminary drawings of the lower set of steps of the house. A collaborative effort between the home owners and myself, the design was created to reflect the previous designs painted on the upper molding of the home. Prisma color on velum.

  • Folk Art Steps: Before

    Before picture of both sets of steps.

Border Crossing

Work as a naturalist, educator, and artist, collide to create a series of works that show mans' patterns, borrowed from the environment and imprinted on that natural world creating unatural boundaries where there should be none.

Connect with Magan

website:
Magan Ruthke: Artist/Friend to Key Deer

Magan's Curated Collection

View Magan's favorite works from other Baker Artists

One Mangrove
Magan RuthkeVisual Arts
See more curated collections