Joan Rutledge

Originally from Connecticut, Joan Rutledge earned her BFA from Hartford Art School, then studied Graphic Design at the Art Institute of Boston. Before retiring, she supported her family with a successful graphic design career as artist and manager for the in-house creative department at Reynolds American. 

Joan has continued painting and has developed a passion for innovative textured art quilts. With the beauty and peace of nature providing inspiration, Joan uses multiple techniques in creating her works. Digital image manipulation, printing, drawing, quilting on fabric, adding thread work, and felting provide dimension and texture to each piece. She continues to grow and evolve as an artist through experimentation, and she has taken numerous watercolor and fiber art workshops—including at Penland School of Crafts. Joan’s work has been exhibited at The Center for Creative Leadership and other galleries, and has received awards from the Professional Art Quilters Alliance-South.