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John Ruth


John Ruth is primarily a landscape painter, self-taught, who paints in acrylic.

He enjoys the versatility that this medium offers from delicate water colour washes to overlays of stronger pigments. His subject matter includes landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, domestic interiors and figure studies. Although he paints in a realist style, his paintings often imbue a sense of intensity and magic into the everyday experience.

John works from his home studio in Hawkes Bay and exhibits mainly there and in Wellington. His work is represented in many private collections both locally and abroad and further examples of his style and versatility as well as current works for sale can be viewed on his own website (link below).

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'Karaka Grove - Te Mata'

Artist: John Ruth

Description: [Acrylic on Board]

As primarily a landscape painter, my thoughts went naturally to seek a Hawke’s Bay subject to submit to this exhibition – Remembering Roy.

My go-to-location is the Te Mata Reserve. It was while looking back at images of my paintings of those very varied land formations and flora, that the dark enveloping grove of karaka trees known as Webb’s Bush came to mind as something I would enjoy painting in honour of Roy.

The painting is a composite of the grove’s features, to give a feel of the place, rather than a specific site and reflects its moody, brooding presence.

Connection to Roy: I will remember Roy for his warmth, enthusiasm and generosity in the support he gave to artists in Hawke’s Bay over many decades. While I was a member of the ‘Spectrum’ art group in the 1980’s and 90’s, I recall his balanced, insightful and encouraging reviews of local exhibitions, including ‘Spectrum’ and a solo exhibition of mine in the late 1990’s. He was always positive and constructive.

In recent years particularly, I have enjoyed the way Roy promoted and paid tribute to Gary Waldrom’s art, with his revealing and analytical observations. I felt he was able to put into words, with total genuine aroha, my own unformed thoughts and feelings. For this I am very grateful. It was a privilege to experience.

About the artist: John Ruth is primarily a landscape painter, self-taught, who paints in acrylic.

Size / dimentions: 1400mm x 750mm (approx)

Media Type: Painting

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