We recently connected with Rachel Ruff and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?

Rachel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?

Thank you! I put together my abstract art portfolio during Covid and as soon as the world began to reopen, specifically the art galleries, my husband, Karl and I hit several exhibition rooms, all the way from the slowly waking up west in Arizona to the east coast of Miami.

No matter how beautiful the galleries we visited were, I was waiting to feel the right vibe with the gallery owner or director. Upon walking into Art Fusion Galleries of Miami, I immediately felt like I was “home.” Alexa, the assistant to the gallery owner, William Braemer, was so cordial and warm to Karl and I. Every time I pointed to one of my favorite sculptures and paintings, she would chuckle and say, “Oh that’s William’s
too.” I fell in love with his passion and gallery before I even met him. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of his world.

I feel blessed that he has taken me under his wings. Braemer has become not only my manager, but also a great mentor and friend. He has taken me from a studio wall to a whole gallery room and now is literally opening the world up to me by taking me on to Studio ABBA’s “Americans in Florence III” exhibition in Florence, Italy. I’m also being featured in his new gallery in Fort Lauderdale and will be on exhibit at Fort Lauderdale’s prestigious River House on Las Olas boulevard.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a multi-faceted artist. I have worn many hats, each contributing to a rich tapestry of creativity and I ultimately found my home on canvas.

I was an Emmy award-winning documentary producer, ad-agency executive, White House assistant pastry chef, memoirist, and artist – these are just a few of my roles that define my life and career..

With a pre-medical degree from the University of Florida and a French Pastry Arts degree with honors from L ’Academie De Cuisine, my journey has been anything but conventional.

Amidst this diverse array of my accomplishments, there has always been one constant passion; painting.

Although my early years pointed towards an illustrious career in the world of work as a journalist and a chef for most of my life, it was not until 2018, when a transformative experience in the Costa Rican jungles rekindled the flames of my artistic soul.

Visions of multi-dimensional abstracts, vibrant cosmic landscapes, and vivid compositions flooded my consciousness, propelling me back into the world of art.

My amazing journey, through synesthesia; in the sensory blending of colors and shapes inspired by the vibrations of music, became my guiding light.

#paintlikeyoulive has become my mantra. Especially in this world today. In the darkness and in the light, I firmly believe art heals. “Pain-t” out the pain, There’s a power within all of us. It’s up to all of us to live out our passion.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 1997, at 21 years old, as a track star at the University of Florida, I was hit by a car at 45 mph on my bicycle and was told by doctors that it was a miracle I survived and wasn’t paralyzed. Through intense therapy, I learned to paint and walk again. I also went on to run 5 marathons and paint like never before.

I believe the accident came as an angelic wake-up call because ever since then, my faith in achieving my dreams have never been stronger.

No matter how many times I was labeled a “starving artist” and had been advised by loved ones to get a “real job” I continued to rely on faith, hard work, and perseverance due to my near death experience..

As Winston Churchill so poignantly said, “Never, ever, ever, give up.”

You only have this life to live! Rachel Ruff

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I am driven on this creative journey by the sheer fact that I paid my dues in the corporate world by developing a reputation by colleagues in my multiple professions, as, “Renaissance woman.” I have won an Emmy for journalism, worked for White House pastry chefs as their sous chefs, yet I always return to my true passion, art.

My goal is to use my artistic gifts from all aspects of my careers to share joy in this world and to encourage others to share the light in them as well. I want people to know it’s okay to let go of what no longer serves you in order to share your true passion!

Contact Info:

• Website: Therachelruff.com
• Instagram: Therachelruff
• Linkedin: Rachel Ruff
• Other: 7867741698

Image Credits
Karl Osterbuhr my photographer/ my husband/agent.