Professional Artist : Ruth Gray Inspired by travel and collaboration

Ruth Gray has been a professional artist for over 10 years it has provided a wonderful mixture of travel and collaboration which continues to inspire her.

Living in some beautiful areas of outstanding natural beauty including six years in the Alpine region of Victoria Australia and currently residing just south of The Peak District National Park in Derbyshire. Drawing on her experiences of recreation and living in this wonderful picturesque part of the UK, Ruth produce’s a contemporary depiction of the Peak scenery and towns as well as the more industrial market towns of Derbyshire.

Her works are formed by capturing hundreds of images on camera during everyday excursions, and selecting the best and manipulating them digitally, before again manipulating them further on the canvas. A flourish of colour and texture help to define the characteristics and scenic beauty of her chosen subject. Ruth likes to put pieces together to create a theme or story in order to create exciting exhibitions

 Ruth works mainly in ‘Atelier Interactive Acrylic’ which has both the qualities of watercolour and pastel ,dries beautifully matt to avoid the harsh shine sometimes found in acrylics. The texture is provided by the use of acid free tissue paper, sand or glitter depending on what the intended outcome of the piece is.

Ruth has six solo shows lined up for 2014 along with joint exhibitions and art events full details can be found on her website. http://ruthgrayimages.net/

 Ruth is represented by several galleries in the UK and Australia and regularly takes on commissions and demonstrations for local art groups.

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How is art important in people’s lives?

            Art enables people to see things differently to see the beauty in the insignificant it takes people away from the everyday it is very important.

Do you have a favorite artist? Why do you like him/her?        

Turner a very obvious choice but I choose him because he changed art by painting his emotions into a scene.

What's your favorite place to see art? Do you have a gallery/museum-going routine?     

I find art everywhere I go but I love Tate Britain for blockbuster shows.

Do you own any pieces of art? If so, what are they?    

I own many pieces of art collected through my life from friends and travels it’s like having my life on the wall.

What’s your favorite piece of work that you have created?     

From my last series “Waiting at the bus stop Ripley” was my favorite.  http://ruthgrayimages.net/   

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What are you working on at the moment?

            I’m currently trying to get a collection of landscapes together.

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Do you sell your work? If so where all do you sell your work?

            I sell my work in several galleries and also I attend art fairs and have exhibitions throughout the year.

Do you make a living off your art?           

I try to.

Do you think your country’s government gives enough financial support to local artists?           

I think the way the money is distributed could be better as some projects and artists seem to be favored over others.

Do you support local artists? If so, how?

            I work with others in the local community to plan events and opportunities also I support via social media.

What are you doing when you’re not creating? What (other) hobbies do you have?        

There is no time for anything other than art!

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

That I quite like conceptual art.

Technically, what would you consider to be a piece of art? Why?

            A piece of art can be anything that serves no other purpose than to be art. If it became a useful object then it would be craft.

Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?

            Let art into your life and you will never be alone.

Where else can we find you?

http://ruthgrayimages.net/ 

Twitter @ruthgrayimages

facebook http://facebook.com/Ruthggray 

Can you give more insight about you and your work  

Prizes
1990: Stapleford Parish Council, Coat Of Arms Design Award, 1st prize 
2003: Hume Community Health Art Prize, 1st Prize
2004: Headway Art Prize, 1st Prize
2008: Derwent Pencil Calendar 2008. Runner up. Exhibited
2011: SAA New Members Postcard Competition Winner, November Issue.
2012: SAA Members Competition Winner ‘My Home’
2012: Sunday Shares Winner Seeking Artists 30/09/12

Current Memberships
Banks Mill Studio Associate Member
SAA, Society for all Artists.

Gallery Representation
Studio 61 Gallery, Matlock, Derbyshire.
Cromford Studio and Gallery, Derbyshire.
Leabrooks Art Gallery, Derbyshire.
St John Street Gallery, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
The Rook Gallery, Hartington, Derbyshire.
Gallery Argentum, Collchest,Essex / Covent Garden London
The Buzz Gallery ,Castle Donington, Leicestshire
The Gallery Sutton Bonnington, Leicestershire
Dayspring Gallery, Beechworth , Victoria, Australia

Regional Annual Exhibitions
2003-2008: Arts Yackandandah, ‘Fresh and Unframed’ 
2004-2005: Albury Museum, ‘Albury-Wodonga Artist Society Exhibition’
2006-2007 Creators Art space ‘Albury Wodonga Artist Society Exhibition’ 
2004-2007: Chiltern, ‘Visual Art Exhibition’ 
2004-2007: Tumbarumba, ‘Art Exhibition’ 
2004-2008: Wodonga, ‘St Augustine’s Art Exhibition’ 
2004: Holbrook, ‘Rotary Club Art Exhibition’ 
2004- 2005: Albury, ‘Paint box Gallery Exhibition’ 
2006-2007: Wodonga, ‘St Johns Anglican Church Art Exhibition’ 
2006-2007: Creators Art space‘Postcard Exhibition’ 
2007-2008: Bright Art Gallery, ‘Autumn Exhibition’ 
2008: Corowa, ‘Corowa Art Exhibition’ 
2009: Rutherglen, ‘Women in art’
2012-2014: Studio 61 Gallery, Matlock, ’Derbyshire Open Arts’
2012: Strutt House Belper, ‘Derwent Business Fair’
2012-2014: Cromford Mill, ‘Arts and Makers Festival s‘
2012-2014: Cromford Mill, November ‘Arts & Artefacts’
2012-2014: Derby College, Broomfield Hall, ‘Spring/ Autumn/Christmas Fairs’
2014: Derby College, Roundhouse, ‘Art Fair’
2012-2014, Banks Mill Studios, Derby,‘November Open Studios Event’
2014: Buxton Pavillion ‘Designer Fair’

Articles Written By Ruth Gray
2006: Australian Artist Magazine, How did you paint that?
2007: Artist Palette Magazine, ‘How an Idea Became an Exhibition’ 
2007: Australian Artist Magazine, ‘Beyond Reasonable Drought’
2008: Australian Artist Magazine, ‘How to use computers for your art.’
2008: Australian Artist Magazine, ‘Albury Wodonga Artist Society.’