Mecca Rutherford
Magnificence (2024)
Sculpted & oil on canvas

“Magnificence” was an absolute JOY to bring into existence. Creating pieces that surprise, draw in and delight the viewer is my ultimate goal. Of the many flowers I could have chosen as my subject for the Art Masters Exhibit at Minnehaha Country Club, the Magnolia seemed the most fitting. Its powerful and majestic presence perfectly suits both the classy environment at the club, as well as my high relief, sculpted oil painting style. I hope you enjoy standing before it as much as I did drawing, sculpting, and painting it!

I’m a passionate and sensitive oil painter/sculptor who works in a soft representational style. I’m inspired by careful observation of God’s glorious creation, the riches of human history, and the emotions that a scene or subject imbues. I love to paint subjects that can take your breath away – landscapes, sky-scapes, still-life & animals.

As an artist, I have a choice to make about what I focus on at my easel. While life can be so very heartbreaking, overwhelming, and exhausting, I am compelled to focus on what is lovely. I aim to make paintings that bring me joy, that challenge my skills and that, in the end, delight my viewers. I want to counter all the ugly parts of life by highlighting what is beautiful. I want to bless you with beauty.

Mecca Rutherford is a Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based oil painter/sculptor who creates textured landscape paintings and high relief, mixed media still life paintings.

Mecca began training as an artist at the age of 11 (1981), ultimately earning dual degrees in both painting and sculpture from Arizona State University (1995). After college, she worked full-time with the Phoenix Art Group for 7 years, collaborating with 100s of professional artists. While there, she produced and designed works that sold all over the world under trademarked artist names.

Since 2003, she has enjoyed the freedom of exploring her personal inspirations as a freelance artist, with collectors coast to coast in the U.S. and a budding international interest.