Artist Statement
I paint in the Dutch l7th century tradition, capturing the light and focus of the Dutch work in illuminating still lifes as well as interiors and landscape. My interest in that period also is behind my work with the techniques of etching and drypoint in my traditional printmaking.
My wish is to make beautiful paintings that give the viewer a sense of loveliness, space and stillness.
Ruth W. Paulsen
Resume
Ruth Wright Paulsen paints in the 17th Century Dutch tradition. She captures the light and focus of the Dutch work in illuminated still-life settings, interiors and landscapes. Ruth's interest in traditional painting carries over in her printmaking technique of etching and dry point. Her drawings and illustrations have been published in best-selling books and articles . Ruth lives and works in Southern New Mexico with her husband, noted author Gary Paulsen.
Ruth earned her degree from the University of Colorado , studied at the San Francisco Art Institute, and Principia College . Ruth has taught art in public schools, managed a 70-dog kennel where she helped to train dogs for the Iditarod while continuing her successful career as a fine artist.
Now, living in an old adobe home on outskirts of the village of Tularosa , Ruth works daily in a studio she maintains at her home.
EDUCATION:
1958-1960 Principia College
1960-1962 University of Colorado , Bachelor of Arts Degree
1963 California Art Institute ( San Francisco )
1963-1964 University of Denver , Teaching Certificate
JURIED EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS AND INVITATION SHOWS:
2005 Oil Painters of America
2005 American Women Artist - Award of Excellence
2004 Oil Painters of America
2001 American Women Artists Show
1988-1990 Minnesota Rural Artists, Awards: 1.Peoples Choice; 2.First Place/Oils; 3.First Place/Graphics
1988 Courage/Dayton Hudson “Images of Minnesota ,” Merit Award
1988 Portrait Invitational, Edina , Minnesota
1987 Minnesota Rural Artists, Award in Pastel
1986 Minnesota Rural Artists, Award in Pastel
1984 Minnesota Rural Artists, Award in Oil
1980 Allied Artists of America , New York
1979 White Bear Lake , Minnesota
1976 “Own Your Own,” Denver Jewish Community Center
1973 Glenwood Springs , Colorado , Art Guild, Award
1972 Glenwood Springs , Colorado , Art Guild, Award
1972 Evergreen Artists Summer Show, Colorado , 1 st Portraits
1971 Evergreen Artists Summer Show, Colorado , 2 nd Portraits
1969 University Hills Show, Denver , Colorado , Best of Show
ONE PERSON SHOWS:
2004 Artstudio: A Gallery, Santa Fe , New Mexico
2003 Artstudio: A Gallery, Santa Fe , New Mexico
2002 Artstudio: A Gallery, Santa Fe , New Mexico
2001 Artstudio: A Gallery, Santa Fe , New Mexico
1998 Carlsbad Museum and Arts, Carlsbad , New Mexico (with M. Kellar)
1995 Eagle Ranch, Tularosa , New Mexico
1988 Touche Gallery, Bemidji State University , Minnesota
1988 Grand Rapids , Minnesota , Art Center
1988 The Depot, Duluth , Minnesota
1987 Owatonna , Minnesota Art Center
1986 Bemidji , Minnesota Art Center
1981 Itasca State Park , Minnesota
DRAWINGS PUBLISHED:
1999 CANOE DAYS (Bantam Doubleday Dell)
1998 MY LIFE IN DOG YEARS (Bantam Doubleday Dell)
1997 PUPPIES, DOGS AND BLUE NORTHERS (Harcourt Brace & Company, Spring 1997), Children’s picture book
1995 THE TORTILLA FACTORY/LA TORTILLERIA (Harcourt Brace & Company) Children’s picture book
1994 FATHER WATER, MOTHER WOODS (Delacorte 1994), Ink drawings
1992 CLABBERED DIRT, SWEET GRASS (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, November 1992), nine oil paintings and four ink drawings
1992 HAYMEADOW (Dell, April 1992), Ink illustrations and cover
1990 LOONFEATHER, Anniversary Edition, Nine pieces of art reproduced
1989 WOODSONG (McMillian), Ink drawing
1988 THE ISLAND , Illustrations
1986 LOONFEATHER, Literary magazine cover
1981 THE BOOK OF SAILING, JIBS TO JIBING, Cover
1979 THE BOOK OF CANOEING, KAYAKING AND RAFTING, Cover
1978 THE SUCCESSFUL BOOK OF HOME REPAIR, All illustrations
1978 A HISTORY AND CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN FARMING, All illustrations
1976 BUILDING A NEW, BUYING AN OLD COMPREHENSIVE HOME AND SHELTER HOW TO DO IT BOOK, All illustrations
TELEVISED:
1996 THE TORTILLA FACTORY, Seen on PBS Television’s Reading Rainbow
1995 DOGTEAM, Seen on PBS Television’s Storytime, read by Kirk Douglas