Lauren Rutten

Lauren Rutten is a visual artist, writer, mentor, and explorer based in Marshall, NC.

The camera has been Lauren’s creative companion for 45 years. In addition, writing, drawing, sewing, and collage have also been present in her creative practice, often realized as book art pieces that integrate these diverse media with her photographs.

At the heart of Lauren’s work is an exploration of body, spirit, and interconnection. Her subjects, whether the body, a landscape, or an abstract surface, are a conversation between the seen and unseen; what is wild or free and what we attempt to control. She continually seeks to create works that express the paradoxes of being human.

Her drive to connect with people and experience the unfamiliar sent Lauren on a six-month solo trip around the world in 2013. Soon after, she and her husband traveled 40,000 miles crisscrossing the United States. A former Jersey girl, Lauren knew she’d found home when they discovered Madison County, NC and she began exploring the region with her camera. Lauren’s landscape photographs evoke a sense of wonder and admiration for the abundant beauty in which she resides.

Lauren holds both a BFA & MA in photography, which led to a 35+ year professional photography career and the opportunity to teach photography to young people from kindergarten to college level. In addition, Lauren has facilitated Amherst Writers and Artist Method and Soul Collage workshops. With the recent passing of her husband, Lauren has retired after six years as a partner-owner of Flow Gallery in downtown Marshall. She now devotes her time and curiosity to experimenting with a variety of different media.