Ruth Ensley

ARTIST’S STATEMENT: Preserving Our Ecosystems

I have always been inspired by nature and different ecosystems in the world where I have traveled and lived. I have seen what happens when ecosystems are not protected. The subjects of my paintings have ranged from non-objective designs, landscapes, people particularly women to all types of flora and fauna especially birds.  Birds fill me with wonder and awe because of their colors, whimsical movements and feats of grandeur.  More recently I have been enthralled by the foxes in my neighborhood. 

I strive to show my interpretations of what I see and feel as I have viewed these native and tropical treasures. The media of watercolor allows me to show the beautiful transparencies, textures, and the luxuriant colors that one might see in our forests and in  tropical forests around the world.  I hold the hope that my paintings aid in focusing on what would be lost because of shrinking forests and the loss of the unique creatures that live within these forests. 

Biographical  Statement

Ruth is an award-winning artist, creating her art professionally since 1966 in a broad range of media including watercolor, mixed media, batik, collage, jewelry, and photography. Her work has been featured in numerous solo and  group exhibitions, and galleries in the United States and the countries of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Madagascar, Mexico, Honduras, Paraguay and Costa Rica.  Her work has been displayed in  Bi-national Centers sponsored by the United States Information Agency.  She lived in Costa Rica for five years where now 28% of it’s land is protected in national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges.

Ruth graduated from Fairleigh Dickenson University in 1965 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts majoring in Art and a Bachelor in Education with a certification to teach Art K through 12. Before graduating in 1965 she also attended the Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, Ohio, Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio.  In 1968 and 1969 she attended Montclair State University and Newark State College in New Jersey taking graduate courses.   Ruth taught Art in Chester, New Jersey, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and in Asuncion, Paraguay.

She is a member of the Vienna Arts Society, Potomac Valley Watercolorists, Virginia Watercolor Society, and the Springfield Art Guild.

If you are interested in purchasing one of the pieces showcased here or viewing it in person, please contact Lu Cousins (lucousins@gmail.com) at the Vienna Art Center.