My Shrewsbury caught up with Ruby to try to learn what drives her:
How old were you when you realised that you had a passion for art and, in particular, painting?
When I was young, any day I wasn’t at school was spent making things, trinket boxes from old loo rolls, Lego structures, carefully arranged petals, drawings, and handmade cards. Creating came naturally to me, and I wasn’t much interested in anything else. Then, during my GCSEs, I discovered oil paint, and I haven’t stopped since.
How would you describe your artistic style and has it changed over the years?
It’s difficult to place myself within a single artistic category, as I’d like to think my style is uniquely my own. If it had to be labelled, it would likely fall under contemporary figuration. Over the years, my approach to making work has definitely evolved, particularly in the way I think about painting. Portraiture, and especially the face, has always remained central, though the way I choose to execute those paintings has continually shifted.
What is your preferred medium and why?
My preferred medium is oil paint, because no other colours compare to its richness. Its slow drying time opens up endless possibilities, allowing me to experiment and refine as I work. When I apply it thickly, it creates beautiful ribbons of colour that drag and weave through one another, leaving behind a vivid, textured surface.
You are starting out on a professional career as an artist. How will you navigate the professional art industry?
That’s a good question, and one I often ask myself. I wish there were a clear formula to follow, but unfortunately there isn’t, so I have to place my eggs in many baskets. For now, it feels important to keep doing what I’ve been doing: applying to competitions and open calls, attending openings and exhibitions, and, above all, continuing to paint. I also just started a new part time job last week, which will help support me financially alongside maintaining my studio practice.
How do you define success as an artist?
For me, success as an artist can take many forms. Simply having the time and means to create work feels like a success in itself. I also feel it when someone connects with a piece in the way I intended, or even just when someone enjoys the paintings I make. Success can be found in the opportunity to exhibit work, especially in exciting spaces. And of course, the ultimate reward is being able to make a living from art, the true crème de la crème.
What is the most important thing you hope to gain from your Tracey Emin residency?
I’m excited to start my residency with Tracey Emin for many reasons. Living somewhere completely new and different, away from London, feels like an adventure in itself. I’m looking forward to the freedom to paint, as well as the opportunity to have inspiring conversations with Tracey and the people around her. I hope this experience will serve as a springboard for the rest of the year, a boost of confidence as I navigate my first year out of education after completing my Masters.
Who has been the artist whose work has inspired you the most?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single most influential figure. Having a rich amalgamation of different influences is vital for a painter. Some of the artists I return to most often are Emilio Villalba, John Currin, Frank Auerbach, and Lucian Freud, particularly his portrait.