Ruth Carroll » About the Artist

Ruth was born in Turlock, California in 1954 and is a fifth generation Californian. Her family were some of the early pioneers that settled in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, Ca in 1856.

Ruth earned her B.F.A. in drawing from C.C.A.C. in Oakland, Ca. (now CCA), in 1987. Painting and sculpture were also part of her intensive studies. She believes that a strong foundation in drawing is essential to painting well. In the years following her graduation, Ruth painted and sculpted commercial artwork as a sub contractor for D.H. Morgan Manufacturing of La Selva Beach, Ca. She carved wooden carousel figures and painted scenes on carousel rounding boards. One of her biggest accomplishments during those years was being contracted by Dana Morgan to sculpt ten full size carousel figures for the Caro-suess-el, a mechanically interactive carousel for the Universal Studios, "Suess Landing", located in Orlando, Florida. Ruth was given drawings and small maquettes to work from.  She made the armatures out of steel pipe, wire and two part foam. She made oil clay from scratch using a recipe from local sculptors. It took Ruth two years to complete her part of this project. Morgan Manufacturing employees made the molds from these prototypes made of oil clay. The figures were ultimately made of fiberglass. This was an incredible collaborative project for Morgan Manufacturing with their team of  brilliant engineers and talented employees. In 1997 there was a fire at Morgan Manufacturing Company but fortunately the silicone/ fiberglass molds were not in the buildings that burned. The project was completed in 1999. The caro-suess-el was set up on the property in La Selva beach and Audrey Geisel attended the celebration. She shook Ruth's hand and told her what a wonderful job she had done bringing her husbands creatures to life. Dana Morgan told her he could not have done this project without her. Artists working on corporate projects are rarely given the credit for their work on projects like this one. Ruth wanted to work on her fine art full time but she did not have that luxury. She raised three children during these years and had to juggle her work, commitments, and passions.

In 1997 Ruth returned to school to earn her degree in dental hygiene. For 22 years she worked part time as a dental hygienist in Santa Cruz, California, which allowed her the time and means to build her body of work. For the past 40+ years Ruth has shown and sold her work through Juried Exhibitions, Juried Open Studios and local Art Galleries in the Monterey Bay area and more recently in the Bend, Oregon area. Her paintings have been purchased by art collectors all over the USA and abroad. She is committed to paint what inspires her emotionally and spiritually. Favorite subjects include landscape, still life and figurative works. Her creative energy is spent painting in plein air and in her studio. She is inspired by her love of the landscape in dramatic light situations. She has been primarily a landscape painter in oils since 2009 and has won numerous awards in this genre. Ruth moved with her husband, to her home in Bend, Oregon in 2020 and has been painting full time ever since. She loves the beauty and diversity of the High desert landscape where there is no shortage of mountains, streams and lakes to paint. She returns to her home state of California often and paints the landscape and seascapes that she loves so much.

Representation includes Nancy Dodds Gallery in Carmel, Ca., Layor Art Gallery in downtown Bend, Oregon, Hood Avenue Art Gallery in Sisters, Or., Salinas Valley Art Gallery in Old Town Salinas, Ca. Artist memberships include California Art Club (Juried in Out Of State Artist Member), MBPAPA (Signature Artist Member) and PAPO and OPA. Ruth continues to grow as an artist and has taken workshops with Kathleen Dunphy, Barbara Jaenicke, Paul Kratter, Jim McVicker, Warren Chang and Scott Burdick among others. I have also learned a lot about landscape painting in oils, from my dear artist friend and painting buddy, Patrick A. Woodman.

 

2020- Permanent Collection of Kaiser Permanente, Scotts Valley Clinic." Old Friends" - Oil on linen -18' x 24" and "Spring Showers"- Oil  on linen-18" x 24".

 

Selected Juried Shows /Exhibitions/Awards

2026-California Art Club 115th Gold Medal Exhibition, Hilbert Museum, Orange, Ca. "Calm Reflections At Point Lobos"

2026-California Art Club-Gallery At The Old Mill, Pasadena, Ca. "Rite Of Passage: The American Road Trip"

2026-California Art Club-Gallery At The Old Mill, Pasadena, Ca. "The Golden State"

2026-MBPAPA- Signature Show "Painterly Perceptions", Pacific Grove Art Center.

2026-MBPAPA- General Show "Central Coast Reflections", Pacific Grove Art Center, Honorable Mention Award for "Study for Standing Tall"

2026-MBPAPA- Natividad Medical Exhibition, "A Place To Remember", Pacific Grove Art Center.

2025- MBPAPA-Signature Show, "Dedication From The Heart", Pacific Grove Art Center.

2025-MBPAPA-General Member Show "Hidden Gems", Pacific Grove Art Center.

2025- California Art Club-Gallery At The Old Mill, Pasadena, Ca. "Between The Tides" 

2024-Monterey Co. Government Building Show, "Capturing The Light", 2nd Place Award for "Springtime At China Cove" 30' x 30' Oil on linen.

2024- California Art Club-Gallery At The Old Mill, Pasadena, Ca. "Idyllic Impressions"

2024-California Art Club -Gallery At The Old Mill, Pasadena, Ca. "Golden Hour"

2024-California Art Club-Gallery At The Old Mill, Pasadena, Ca. "Moonlight Serenade" 

2024-MBPAPA-Signature Member Show "Serendipity" Pacific Grove Art Center. 

2024-MBPAPA-General Member Show "Seasons"Pacific Grove Art Center.

2023- MBPAPA-Signature Member Show "Light & Shadow" First Place Award for "Spring Path At Garland Park" 12" x 16" Oil on Linen .

2023- PAPO Plein Air Competition at Black Butte Ranch- First Place Peoples Choice Award for "Black Butte Ranch View" 11" x 14" Oil.

2023- MBPAPA Natividad Medical Exhibition-Farm To Frame- Honorable Mention Award for "Pajaro Valley Farm" 12" x 36" Oil on Birch Panel.

2023- MBPAPA- Steinbeck Museum Exhibition-Steinbeck Country- One of 18 artists juried into this show- " The Gabilan Range" 11" x 17" Oil on Linen Panel.

2023- California art Club: California Dreaming - Curated By The Sea Gallery - Santa Cruz, California- "Spring Morning At Circle P Ranch".

2022- California Art Club Biennale: Celebrating California - Blue Line Arts Gallery - Roseville, California-"Overview Of Bluefish Cove" and "Coastal Mist At Gibson Beach".

2022- MBPAPA Signature Show- Upon Which We Build- Pacific Grove Art Center -Honorable Mention Award for "Last Light On A Country Road" Juror: Ray Roberts

2022 - MBPAPA General Member Show- Coastal Passions- Pacific Grove Art Center - Pacific Grove, Ca.

2022 - MBPAPA Natividad Medical Exhibition- A Time To Heal - Honorable Mention Award for "Springtime Memories"2022-2023

2022 - PVA Plein Air Invitational- In honor of Diane P. Cooley- PVA Gallery-Watsonville, Ca.

2021 - MBPAPA Signature Member Show- Local Escapes-Pacific Grove Art Center- Honorable Mention Award for "Belted Galloway Grazers II"- Juror Paul Kratter

2021 - MBPAPA Natividad Medical Exhibition- Natures Remedy-Salinas, Ca. " Looking Across Blue Fish Cove" 2021-2022.

2021 - MBPAPA General Member Show - Windows To The Bay -Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove, Ca.

2020 - California Art Club: Our World Reimagined, - Online Exhibition- "Reflections of Spring" and "Looking Across Blue Fish Cove".

2020 - California art Club: Mid-California Highlights: From the Sierra to the Sea - Gallery At 48 Natoma - Folsom, Ca.

"North Shore At Point Lobos","Back Road Barns", "Poppies Lupines And Cows", and China Cove Beach"

2020 - 90th Annual statewide Landscape Exhibition - Santa Cruz Art League - Santa Cruz, Ca.

2020 - MBPAPA General Show- Creativity Endures Nature Inspires-Honorable Mention Award 'Backroad Barns"- Juror Laurie Kersey

2020 - MBPAPA Signature Member Show - Plein Air To Studio - Pacific Grove Art center, Pacific Grove, Ca.

2020 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County - Online Exhibition only due to Covid-19 restrictions.

2019 - PVA Gallery Plein Air Invitational Paint Out/ Exhibition- Our Bounty- Private lands in the Monterey Bay -Watsonville, Ca.

2019 - 89th Annual Statewide Landscape Exhibit, Santa Cruz Art League - 3rd Place Award - "China Cove Beach - Juror Ed Penniman

2019 - CCPAP Wargin Wines Exhibition - Watsonville, Ca.

2019 - MBPAPA General Member Show -The Beauty around Us- Pacific Grove, Ca. - 2nd Place Award- Juror Laurie Kersey

2019 - Open studios Art Tour -Art Council Of Santa Cruz County - Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2018 - 88th Annual Statewide Landscape Exhibit - Santa Cruz Art League - Santa Cruz, Ca

2018 - CCPAP Wargin Wines Exhibition - Art Love and Wine -Watsonville, Ca.

2018 - MBPAPA General Member Show - California Dreaming - Pacific Grove Art Center - Pacific Grove, Ca.

2018 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County - Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2017 - MBPAPA General Member Show - CSUMB Steinbeck Center- Steinbeck Country - Old Town Salinas, Ca.

2017 - MBPAPA Natividad Show - From Morning Mists To Setting Suns - Healing Landscapes - Salinas, Ca. 2017-2018

2017 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County - Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2016 - MBPAPA General Member Show - Our Piece Of Paradise - Pacific Grove Art Center - Pacific Grove, Ca.

2016 - MBPAPA Natividad Medical Exhibition- Healing Feast For The Soul - Salinas, Ca. 2016-2017

2016 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County - Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2015 - 85th Annual Statewide Landscape Exhibition -  Santa Cruz Art League - Santa Cruz, Ca.

2015 - MBPAPA General Member Show-Our Best Work- 2nd Place Award-"Red Barn On A Country Road" Juror Brian Blood

2015 - Big Blu Live Exhibition - The Artists View - Museum Of Monterey - Custom House Plaza, Monterey, Ca.

2015 - MBPAPA Natividad Show - Healing Waters-Calming Seas- 3rd Place Award - "Coastal Wetlands" Juror Randall Sexton 

2015 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County -Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2014 - MBPAPA General Member Show - Monterey Bay area State Parks - Carmel Visual Arts -Carmel, Ca.

2014 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County - Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2013- MBPAPA General Member Show- Honorable Mention Award and Peoples Choice Award- Juror Laurie Kersey

2013 - 83rd Annual Statewide Landscape Exhibition - Santa Cruz Art League - October

2013 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County -Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2012 - PVA Gallery Plein Air Invitational Paint Out/Exhibition - Land & Sea -Watsonville, Ca.

2012 - MBPAPA San Juan Batista Plein Air Event/Exhibition,  2nd Place Award  "Mission Bells"

2012 - 82nd Annual Statewide Landscape Exhibition - Santa Cruz Art League - Santa Cruz, Ca.

2012 - 2020 Annual PVA invitational Fund Raising Shows, "Take Aways, Art To Go"Watsonville, Ca.

2012 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County - Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2011 - 81st Annual Statewide Landscape Exhibition - Santa Cruz Art League - Santa Cruz, Ca.

2011 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County - Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2010 - PVA Gallery Plein Air Invitational Paint Out/Exhibition - Connecting to the Land- Paintings of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County

2010 - 80th Annual Statewide Landscape Exhibition - Santa Cruz Art League - Santa Cruz, Ca.

2010 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of santa Cruz County -Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2009 - 79th Annual Statewide Landscape Exhibition - Santa Cruz Art League - Santa Cruz, Ca.

2009 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art Council of Santa Cruz County - Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

2008 - Open Studios Art Tour - Art council of Santa Cruz County - Preview Exhibit Santa Cruz Art League - October

 

Past Representation:

Venture Gallery -Located at the Plaza Hotel & Spa - Monterey, California

2009 through 2020