Bio
I am an abstract, intuitive painter living and working near the foothills outside of Denver, Colorado, with my husband Bill and cat Gertie Bird. I earned a BA in Art & Design from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and am the founder of Sunny Day Design, a one-woman graphic design studio. Throughout my life I have pursued various art forms: dance, violin, bookmaking, photography and writing.
In 2020 I discovered an art form that would quickly turn my world upside down: abstract, intuitive painting. With humility and surprise, I discovered that learning to paint was also uncovering a world of life lessons: what my paintings needed to move forward (bold decisions, Bravery!), my life also needed.
My process begins with a carefully considered color palette of acrylic paint, and mark making. After that, every move on the surface is something new to respond to, and the painting progresses with a balance of wild abandon and practiced art principles. I often work wet-on-wet; scraping back, scrubbing, and applying paint directly with my hands to intuitively express my ideas and emotions.
My theory of art-making is that every painting I create has something to teach me—and if I haven’t learned anything, the painting isn’t finished.
CV
2023
Abstract Invitational, NKollectiv
Denver, CO | June 16 - July 16
Unstoppable series release, Rosebud Cafe
Denver, CO | May 11 – June 11, 2023
2022
Featured Artist – First Friday Show, Transforming Creatives Gallery
Denver, CO | October 7 – December 2, 2022
First Friday Art Shows, Transforming Creatives Gallery
Denver, CO | February, May, June, August, December
2021
Summer Jungle Series release
Online
First Friday Art Shows, Transforming Creatives Gallery
Denver, CO | July, November, December
Sunny Day Design, Art Director & Principal
Over the past 15 years, Cristina has worked with organizations nationwide creating award-winning graphic design work. www.sunnydaydesign.org
Clients Include: USC Equity Research Institute, PBS Education, Denver Health, University of Denver, The George Lucas Education Foundation
Cristina Rutter Photograpy & Multimedia
From 2008–2017 Cristina created portraits, photo essays, and videos for prominent nonprofit and educational institutions.
Highlights: Published in Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, and SELF magazines.
Clients Include: Audubon, Northwestern University, The Joyce Foundation, Chicago Public Schools, The Nature Conservancy
MEMBER
Women’s Caucus for Art
RiNo Art District
AWARDS
56th Annual Graphic Design USA Award
Client: Abundant Harvest Aquaponics
Global Award for outstanding healthcare advertising
Client: Sanofi
Rx Club Award for healthcare education design
Clients: Sanofi and Roche
Society of Typographic Arts Archive Award
Client: Wren Homes
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin, Madison
BA, Art & Design
Columbia College, Chicago
Coursework in documentary photography and photojournalism
Maine Media Workshops, Rockport, Maine
Intensive environmental photojournalism workshop with The Nature Conservancy magazine’s photo editor