Marcella Ruikis

Marcella Rose Ruikis is an artist and vocalist living in Southern Oregon. Painting on silk with brushes and dyes, her love of color, shape and form is expressed in each piece she creates. She was an artist model in San Francisco for years, sitting for art professors all over the Bay area. During this time, she began to draw figures in charcoal and then began exploring many different mediums. In 1997, after moving to Ashland, Oregon she taught herself to paint on silk, and has been experimenting with this beguiling and fluid medium ever since, creating textures and rivers of color moving like water along the fabric. The white silk is like a blank canvas, awaiting the touch of a brush.

Recently her artwork was featured for the Midsummer Dream Festival in Ashland. Marcella also performed at the festival, singing with her versatile jazz trio MAJIK. She has shown at art fairs and trunk shows in Palm Springs, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, and Ashland. The Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art Museum carried her hand painted scarves. Currently her framed paintings, wall hangings and wearable art can be found at the 2nd Street Gallery in Bandon, and in Southern Oregon at the Ashland Artworks and the Gallery of Talent.

The Care of Silk:

Each painting has been extensively heat set, and is wash fast. Silk is a natural fiber, and hand washing is recommended. Use cool water and mild soap. Rinse with cool water and a bit of fabric softener. Roll in towel to absorb excess water, and hang to dry. Iron with steam.