Ruth LaGue is a Massachussetts-based contemporary folk artist whose work is rooted in tradition, but filtered through a modern lens. She is drawn to the quiet presence of rural architecture and landscapes, reducing them to their essential forms to highlight their emotional resonance. Her paintings use light as a guiding force, creating contrast and atmosphere, while concentrated shapes and textured surfaces evoke memory more than realism. By stripping away detail and leaning into suggestion, Ruth invites viewers to bring their own associations. She often flattens perspective, creating spaces that feel both familiar and abstract. Ruth began her career as a graphic designer and creative director, grounded in user-centered thinking, and that foundation, especially the idea that “less is more”, continues to shape her artistic practice. She paints with intention but leaves room for instinct, letting simplicity and restraint speak volumes.