I traveled to see my painting “The Weight of Your Stillness” hang in a museum — the lone crow among bright landscapes, holding space for grief in a room full of life.

For people who adore crows - six crow babies hatched and are on my website! www.MaryJeanRuhnke.com

“Let’s see what constellations we can find,” thought Fox.

Bringing in some night pollinators among the huge white detura blooms.

🚨 LIMITED EDITION DROP 🚨 The next 10 orders will receive a FREE 9”x7” print of “Fall Dreaming” — professionally printed on Fine Art Velvet paper, signed and numbered by me. 🍂✨ This piece has never been released as a print. Buy any item from my website or Meta Shop to qualify.

The best thing to do after finishing a painting is to sit with it. I watch the paint dry—literally & mentally. In that stillness, the piece starts to speak. Colors settle. Shapes shift meaning. What felt finished starts to feel open again. That’s where new ideas live—in the pause.

A special request came in for an exclusive limited edition run of prints for Flying Horse Gallery in Sisters, Oregon of “Moonlight Mischief”. Only ten 16”x20” prints will be available. $240 each. I’m embellishing them with variegated gold metal leaf.

The protective powers of a mother are on full display in “I’ll Shelter You”. #motherhood #arttherapy #fox #foxpainting

I fluctuate between small and large works. I really don’t have a go-to size. My brain gets bored so changing sizes helps keep me interested. Sometimes the small ones inspire larger versions. These are a few of my latest small works.

Subtle rainbow of colors in this adorable fox pup.

I’m one of the 55 artists who have been selected for A Vision of Nature: American Women Artists exhibition at the National Sporting Library & Museum in Virginia starting October 3, 2025. 55 exceptional works were chosen out of 531 impressive entries.

Thoughts of my children, taking a summer trip, and being fearless have been coming through in my latest small works.

“I’ll just be in your shadow,” said Kit.

New items are now available on my website! I’m also running a collector promotion - buy 2 get a 3rd free through the month of May. Applies to all items.

“The Weight Of Your Stillness” - a moment suspended in grief — a crow grieving the loss of its mate, unable to move forward from the place where its body rests. Devoted, the crow longs for time to stop. The stillness is heavy, the future seems blank.

I created this work with love - the love I couldn’t give to my fur babies that crossed over the rainbow bridge in April. Animals bring so much joy and life to the world. This is “Happy Poppy”.

She belongs among the wildflowers.

Working into the evening for a change. My creativity peaks at night. How about yours?

Creativity takes me through my sorrow.

Found this old frame at an estate sale and now my artwork is overflowing into it.

Bursting with florals and cuteness - spring is in the air…or is that the smell of fresh paint?

Next two people to order on my website get a cute BONUS - plus one is framed. Add the print “Asleep” to your order to claim.

The seasons inspire creativity and it looks like spring on my easel.

My artwork is my memoir- it depicts a feeling, moment, phase in my life. My latest “Contentment”.

My childhood best friend passed away this evening. My mind is flooded with memories and my mind writes a eulogy that I'll likely never share. I will seek a vision for my sorrow and create it. I'm grateful to have had a childhood friend like, Wendy.

Amidst the chaos in the world, we can always turn towards art and find peace.

It’s hard to release works in groups. I prefer to release them as singles versus saving and finishing several at once. How about you? Today I released 6 new works. It was tough to wait on all 6 to be complete. 3 sold instantly and I think it’s because I grouped them so it was more exciting for fans.

I never feel alone anymore, because I create great friendships on canvas.

Just sold my first witch broomstick. I think many people in my family thought I was crazy to create not one, but three life-size witch broomsticks. These are not crafts. They are sculptures with names and unique oddities that make them feel alive.

If you can’t be a light, then bring a light to the world.

Less politics please and more art!!

As a child, I tried to catch them and had no luck. As an adult, I’ve learned to create them so that they can live in nature and be admired through my artwork. Two of my latest creations.

I always wanted to hold, love and care for nature…I do when I create. #inkart

I like to think my subjects enjoy watching the work evolve.

It’s okay to be recluse.

So many creative ideas…so little time to bring them to fruition.

Starting over on an application and not telling anyone is kind of exciting!

I live life as an artist at a pace that is appropriate for my health and lifestyle. To some it may seem unconventional, lazy, impulsive and disorganized. For me it seems free, wise, fulfilled, healthy and authentic.

I made a home with my fears like a crow who built a nest on a scarecrow.

I create the pain so that I can acknowledge it and “Prevail” despite it.

Hopefully an app where my family doesn’t stalk and wish my business failure. My biggest supporters and encouragers have always been strangers and collectors that I’ve connected with through social media.

First post: I’m going to make things awkward if I only get one chance at making a first impression on here. So if you enjoy art, random thoughts, and unfiltered content then you found the right weirdo to follow. I’ll do my best to inspire you with thoughts through my creations.