Ruth was born and educated in inner-city Liverpool. Her family has strong ties to Ireland and childhood summer holidays were spent immersed in Irish culture.
Art has always been a passion for Ruth. It was at primary school, being asked to help others in her class by drawing an undersea landscape on the chalkboard made Ruth realise her talent.
Ruth went on to Liverpool Art College for 2 years gaining a T.B.I.D. (Technician of the British Institute of Interior Design) and then to Teesside University gaining a B.A. (Hons) in 3 Dimensional Design.
This led to a successful career as a commercial interior designer living and working in the London area.
Ruth was fortunate to visit many countries and decided there was nowhere more beautiful than New Zealand to settle. She decided to move here in 2006, a year later Ruth discovered the joy of carving the local stone and decided to have a complete career change.
Ruth now works as a full-time artist from her home studio on the lower slopes of the Port Hills in Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand. She is an award-winning artist for both her sculptures and paintings and is gaining a reputation for creating distinctive, original work. Her work can be seen here in New Zealand and overseas.
2009
Finalist (sculpture) COCA Anthony Harper Contemporary Art Award – Christchurch NZ
Finalist (sculpture) Aesthetica International Creative Works Competition – UK
2010
Finalist (sculpture) Aesthetica International Creative Works Competition – UK
2011
2nd Award (painting) 59th Annual Art Awards, South Canterbury Art Society – Timaru NZ
Commendation Award (painting) Ashburton Society of Arts –NZ
1st Award (sculpture) 7th Annual West Melton Art Event – NZ
2nd Award (painting) 7th Annual West Melton Art Event – NZ
2012
Finalist (painting) Peter Doig Art Awards, Marlborough Art Society – Blenheim NZ
Merit Award (painting) 60th Annual Art Awards, South Canterbury Art Society – Timaru NZ
Darfield Art Award (sculpture) Darfield Art week, Malvern Community Arts Council – Darfield NZ
1st Award (painting) Water Colour NZ on-line competition – Wellington NZ
2013
Finalist (painting) Peter Doig Art Awards, Marlborough Art Society – Blenheim NZ
Finalist (painting) Clifton Art Prize - Auckland NZ
Merit Award (painting) Darfield Art week, Malvern Community Arts Council – Darfield NZ
2014
People’s Choice Award (sculpture) 1st Bi-annual Ashburton Stone Symposium – NZ
2015
Finalist (painting) Peter Doig Art Awards, Marlborough Art Society – Blenheim NZ
Merit award (painting) 'Hot Topics, Bold Expressions' on-line Exhibition, Manhattan Arts International - New York
Award (painting) - 'New Beginnings' on-line Exhibition, Manhattan Arts International - New York
Winner (painting) - Rxhibition on-line Award - New York
2016
Merit Award (painting) Ashburton Society of Arts Annual Exhibition – Ashburton NZ
4th Award (sculpture) LST (Light, Space & Time) All Women on-line art exhibition USA