THE ART & THE ARTIST

Ruth Baker Walton is the name under which the artist currently paints.

A Fellow of The Wildlife Art Society International and it's current President, Ruth served as Chairman from 2000 to 2003 and had been a Regional Group Organiser for the West of England for many years prior to that.

A keen conservationist, she is a member of Earthwatch, W.W.F. and the R.S.P.B. Her work has been sold in aid of various wildlife trusts and conservation organisations.

With no formal art training her technique is basically self taught. Ruth prefers the expressive use of subtle watercolour washes to suggest habitat and create atmosphere, rather than portray photographic detail. Although not a medium favoured by most wildlife artists, she enjoys it’s challenge and the wonderful unexpected results that can only be achieved by the wet into wet technique. Other favourite mediums are pastel and coloured pencil, especially for fine details studies, which she often combines with watercolour.

The need for individuality in wildlife art has prompted Ruth to explore the interaction between birds and animals in the composition of her paintings and more recently the 'symbolic' connections between human and animal activity.. A love of Africa, which she calls her second home’ is self evident in her work and predominates as subject matter, though not exclusively. She travels annuallly to Africa to get inspiration and reference for her work which she feels is essential if one is to paint with any realism .

Her travels have taken her through much of Kenya and to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and to the vast wilderness of the Selous. Her travels recently took her to the unspoilt reaches of the Okavango in Botswana.. Ruth believes in getting as close to her subject matter as possible and has been privileged to enjoy some unforgettable experiences with wildlife.

Illustrated talks about her travels and the inspiration for her work are available on request.

Apart from The Wildlife Art Society her work has been exhibited at:-

• Sotheby’s Wildlife Art Auction, London
• Northern Exhibition of Wildlife Art, Liverpool
• The British Falconry & Raptor Fair, U.K.
• Various Galleries in the U.K. plus joint and solo Exhibitions.