Our Artists, Photographers and Makers

Ruth like many good artists doesn't talk much about her work - it is, like breathing, simply how she lives. Her scenes of domestic tenderness and honest working life capture in essential rhythm, pose and gesture the life and work of North Lewis, its pets and peats, its beasts and boats, its folks and blokes.

RUTH'S STUDIO, SHARED WITH HER FELLOW ARTIST HUSBAND ,DAVE GREENALL, IS TUCKED INTO THE LAND, TAKING SHELTER FROM THE NORTH ATLANTIC GALES. ALONG THE DIRT ROAD LIE THE PEAT MOORS. THE CROFT IS ONE OF A HANDFUL CLUSTERED AROUND THE ISLAND RHYTHM OF FEEDING THE HENS, TENDING THE BEASTS, DIPPING AND SHEARING, GATHERING THE PEATS, HARVESTING THE SEAS AND GUGA HUNTING. THE BLACKNESS OF NIGHT IS THE TIME FOR PUTTING YOUR FEET UP IN FRONT OF THE PEAT STOVE, WITH A GOOD BOOK, AS THE WEATHER OUTSIDE STORMS OVER NORTH LEWIS. RUTH'S PAINTINGS AND PRINTS SPEAK INTIMATELY OF THE COMPOSURE AND STRENGTH TO BE FOUND AMID SUCH SCENES.