Studio Chat with Ruth Gray

Ever wondered what it's like as a proffesional artist for 20 years?  We caught up with Ruth Gray to find out what she's been up to.

Tell me a bit about Yourselves?

I have been a practicing artist for twenty years and I combine this with a role as a heritage research assistant at a local architect and planner’s firm. I work on paintings that are concerned with the built heritage environment. Both my roles work together deepening my knowledge all the time about the local region. I use this knowledge during my work in local schools and community groups when I share my art skills during workshops and demos.

What are you currently grappling with in the studio?

I currently have a large project of eight commissioned paintings that I am working on for a client in Ashbourne.

Do you have any rituals in the studio, what are they?

My rituals start outside the studio I must make sure that I have done all my domestic tasks in the house and made sure my family are all organised so that I can be left uninterrupted in my studio. Sounds rather boring but if everything has been done, I feel free to create. My husband does do more than his fair share it has to be said.

What’s your preferred medium/what do you work with?

I work with charcoal, acrylic paints and inks on paper and canvas board.

What do you have planned for future work?

I have two exhibitions next year that I must start thinking about! I also have lots of collaborative projects with various groups and people I love working with others.

Who/What Inspires you and your work?

I am inspired by kind people that are supportive I am very lucky in all my work that I am surrounded by incredibly talented positive people. Artists I admire are Norman Ackroyd, Lowry and I do love the work of Peter Brown aka ‘Pete the Street.’

Do you have any advice that you would recommend to other artists and makers?

A pencil and paper is all you need to start being creative draw and observe carefully. An art career is a slow burn its not built on Instagram or Facebook its built by being consistent working very hard and long hours and being nice to everyone. Its something you can do alongside other things like raising a family or studying or its something you can do all by itself but its best done within a community of like-minded friends and groups who will have your back in the dark times and cheer you in the good.

Which guests would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

Turner, Maggie Hambling, Tracey Emin and Rothko what a table that would be! 

If you weren’t an artist/maker and could choose any career, what would it be?

I have been lucky to have had a life full of different careers already retail, fashion design workplace trainer and now I have my dream job working with heritage buildings so I suppose if I couldn’t do my art, I would work fulltime at that.

What have you celebrated in the last 12 months, personally or professionally?

This year is my twentieth year as a practising artist, I have graduated with an MA in Public History and Heritage from Derby University. And personally I have turned 50 which means I am halfway through if I get to be 100!