Marches Makers Festival Artist 2019
Ruth Kirkby
Ruth Kirkby has had a diverse working career, including bi-lingual PA, potter, MFL teacher and more recently botanical illustrator. Tutored by Moya Davern, she has won RHS Silver Medals in 2012 and 2013, and a Gold Medal at RHS Linley Hall for her collection of illustrations of Siberian Iris in 2014.
She particularly likes to paint plants, vegetables and flowers that are in season. ‘First of all, I start with careful observation, followed by accurate drawing of the subject matter. Good drawing skills are essential and I like to imitate the natural cadences of the plant or flower that I am going to paint. Finding an absolute colour match can be challenging. I always paint from real-life specimens, as photographs are not precise enough. I work in watercolour and gouache – the former is unforgiving, but I feel it best represents the translucency of petals and leaves and the subtle colour changes in all plant life. Nature is the artist; I merely try my best to represent her’.
She has exhibited in London, Malvern, Hereford, Presteigne & Discoed and her work has appeared 4 times on the cover of Hortus Magazine. She was featured in Country Living September 2015 and in Border Life April 2018.
Ruth Kirkby has had a diverse working career, including bi-lingual PA, potter, MFL teacher and more recently botanical illustrator. Tutored by Moya Davern, she has won RHS Silver Medals in 2012 and 2013, and a Gold Medal at RHS Linley Hall for her collection of illustrations of Siberian Iris in 2014.
She particularly likes to paint plants, vegetables and flowers that are in season. ‘First of all, I start with careful observation, followed by accurate drawing of the subject matter. Good drawing skills are essential and I like to imitate the natural cadences of the plant or flower that I am going to paint. Finding an absolute colour match can be challenging. I always paint from real-life specimens, as photographs are not precise enough. I work in watercolour and gouache – the former is unforgiving, but I feel it best represents the translucency of petals and leaves and the subtle colour changes in all plant life. Nature is the artist; I merely try my best to represent her’.
She has exhibited in London, Malvern, Hereford, Presteigne & Discoed and her work has appeared 4 times on the cover of Hortus Magazine. She was featured in Country Living September 2015 and in Border Life April 2018.
