COLUMN: The strange, colorful and wonderful world of Jean Parker Ruckel

Stunningly beautiful, an artist of unparalleled ability, never ending generosity, definitely free spirited, and not of this world. Jean Ruckel was “the most amazing girl “ I have ever met in my long lifespan.  Jean was a native , born and raised here on the coast.

My wife and I had two small stores when I first met her. One store was a small paint and decorating store, and one day in popped Jean, who was working with another artist/decorator. I remember she looked like an Indian warrior because of the paint on her face and clothes. Before she left, Jean had my sides splitting with laughter, and  I was left wondering just what the hell I had encountered… was she  human?

I soon learned that Jean was half-human and half-spirit. She was visiting this world but belonged to something larger.

As fellow artists, we became the best of friends and my wife adored her. I think what took me back was her knowledge of the classics, environment, literature, art — always laughing and covered with friends. Jean went to her world that I could never understand a few weeks ago. She lived with her son, Madison, in a small condo in Destin for many years, and after Madison left the nest she moved to a doll house that sat near a bayou in Valparaiso.

So what made this human so different from us mundane everyday creatures?

As one person said at her wake; “Jean was simply a mystic and saw things that we could never hope to comprehend in both color and life.”  

Jean lived in artistic clutter, always painting. If an object was stationary for very long, it was painted with designs. If a tired and thrown out plant was found by a curb, she adopted it and  tenderly brought it back to full bloom. Her cottage studio was a flowering wonderland, and animals stayed there for refuge. Jean had the ability to make living things love her. They wanted to be near her. I envied her so much.

She was always in need of money, but never seemed to complain. If you stared at something in her studio, you found the painting or object in your hands as you left… it was yours freely given. Only once did I see her break down and cry while we were painting together in my studio. As artists, she let me peer into her deep world.

Jean worked for us at Bayou Arts & Antiques, and I would get so mad at her because she sold everything that was on the showroom floor. She was too good!

I would hear customers come and tell Jean, “I’m just looking.” Little did they know what they had encountered.

An hour later, I would see the astonished customer taking a wheelbarrow of merchandise to the car! Jean was unbelievable. But Jean was restless and moved on… she lived with nature, oil paints, put-together sculptures, and canvas. She never stayed anchored at any place long.

Jean could feel and see things far more intense than you or I.  We may see a bayou, sky, and clouds. She saw a kaleidoscope of swirling imperceptible colors and undertones. We feel the wind, she could hear it singing. We hear a water fowl calling, she would speak to that bird and understand what it was saying. Storms were exciting and brought exhilaration, being rich was nice, but experiencing life with less showed that God provided enough. That was Jean’s way of thinking.

Now this great artist is gone, and I desperately miss her. She has finally moved into her mystical world, and I don’t want her to go. I want her back so bad. Jean Ruckel makes me believe in God because I saw Him in her.

Chick Huettel is a long-time Walton County resident, writer and artist. He is a member of a number of local organizations including the Emerald Coast Archeological Society.