About
Your heart is a portal, love is the key.
Moon Rutherford (b. 1993, Chicago) is an Indianapolis-based intuitive painter who helps people heal through his unique style of abstract expressionism. His practice is rooted in spirituality, deep emotional healing, experiences as a Black and Choctaw native man, talking about what it means to feel, navigating trauma, and how to overcome. Every piece is designed as a way of bringing people to the healing power of the heart. He believes your heart is a portal and love is the key. Moon uses the transcendent spiritual language of abstract expressionism, his innovative explorations of color theory, extensive study of sacred texts, and work as an oracle to guide people to the healing they need.
Moon has primarily worked with acrylic on canvas and heavy paper for the last two years after spending almost 20 years as a sound healing artist. His talent for evoking feelings translates color and texture into healing frequencies now. Becoming certified in Postwar Abstract Painting by the Museum of Modern Art in 2024 was a launching pad into his latest gallery exhibitions, growing his vibrant community of collectors, and expanding his relationship to artistry.
Artist Statement
I am thankful for this opportunity to share these works and feel truly grateful to have found my calling through this gift I stumbled upon. I call my painting practice Holographic Heart Healing because it has been so healing emotionally for me and that is the goal I have when working on every piece. My belief is that the world we want and need is unlocked through opening our heart.
I began painting as a way of working through traumatic life experiences, grief, depression, and never would have imagined that I would be so transformed. I've shared these works to help others to do the same. I'd love to open my own community gallery one day to serve underrepresented people and give workshops to guide people through healing abstract painting sessions. By removing objects, shape, form, and words, the viewer is left with only their heart to interpret the experience they're receiving.
I ask people to let their heart choose the piece for them. I don't include titles until the viewer has selected their painting. I've seen truly incredible things happen when folks allow themselves the opportunity to be led using just their heart. Every piece is a healing message for your heart so it's beautiful to learn what made them choose their piece and how the message fits into their experience. It gives them the trust they need to navigate the rest of their life knowing their heart knows the way!
Much love and many thanks,
Moon
CV
Moon Rutherford
Indianapolis, IN
Email: hi@moonrutherford.com
Web: moonrutherford.com
Awards
2025 DeHaan Fellowship for Accessible Arts, Indianapolis, IN, US
2022 Best of Indy Winner
Education/Academia
2024 Postwar Abstract Painting Certification, Museum of Modern Art, New York, US
2014 Artist In Residence, Sderot, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem
2012-2013 Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, US
2011-2012 DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, US
Solo Exhibitions
2025 ‘Three Wave Theory: Living Water’, Re:Public Gallery, Indianapolis, IN, US
2025 ‘Three Wave Theory’, Re:Public Gallery, Indianapolis, IN, US
Group Exhibitions
2026 Neimann Market Arts & Artisans Showcase
2025 ‘Groovy Cat’ Winter Exhibit, Patina Gallery, Indianapolis, IN, US
2025 ‘Elevate’, Celestial Creative, Indianapolis, IN US
Fairs & Festivals
2026 Mokao Festival, SWISH Arts & Culture Festival
2025 Epicurean, Ash & Elm Art Market, Autumntidings Festival, Woodruff Market, Woodruff Winter Market (IN)
2024 Arts For All Festival (IN), Autumntidings Festival (IN), Epicurean (IN), “BUTTER” Fine Art Fair
2023 Iron Blossom (VA), Oktoberfest (IN), Autumntidings Festival, Great Serpent Mound Summer Solstice Fest (OH), “BUTTER” Fine Art Fair (IN), Soul Tribe (FL)
2022 We The Culture (Newfields Museum of Art, IN), Celebrate Light Fest (IN), All In Festival (IN), “BUTTER” Fine Art Fair (IN), Way Out Fest (IN), Rev Indy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
2021 Paved Paradise, NCAA March Madness, NCAA Final Four, SWISH (IN)
2020 Black Lives Matter Mural, Indianapolis, IN
2018 SXSW (TX), Navy Pier National Historic Landmark (Chicago, IL) Full Circle Arts Festival (IN)
2017 Full Circle Arts Festival (IN)
2016 Greenstock Arts Festival (IN)
2014 Festival Daroma International Arts Festival
Press & Publications
2022 North Indy Magazine
2018 VH1 Chicago, IL