Award winning artist Ruth Höök Colby expresses her vision through the medium of pastel. She prefers pastel for its versatility, immediacy and vibrant color. Her enjoyment and perfection of this medium, in both abstract and realistic interpretations has won acclaim with numerous awards nationally and internationally. She has attained signature membership with both the Southeastern Pastel Society and Degas Pastel Society winning an award with SPS in the Open International Juried Exhibit at Oglethorpe University Museum in Atlanta, GA. For many years her paintings have been featured in national and international juried exhibitions throughout the United States, this year winning two awards in the Richeson 75 Landscape, Seascape and Architectural competition. She is the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from Bradford Alumni Assoc. in Kenosha, WI and is included in the Best of America, Pastel Artists and Artisans 2007. Ms. Colby was one of 10 finalists internationally selected in a competition sponsored by Pastel Artist International magazine (September/October 2002 edition).
Colbys work is in the permanent collection at the Belk Library at Appalachian State University, Boone, NC and included in private collections throughout the United States and Europe.
In addition to studies at the Ringling School of Art and Design and Manatee Community College, Ms. Colby as participated in numerous workshops with nationally recognized artists such as Katherine Chang Liu, Doug Dawson, Susan Ogilvie, Albert Handell, Doug Dawson and Alan Flattmann.
She is a pastel instructor at the Venice Art Center and Art Center Sarasota.
Selected Juried Exhibitions
Degas Pastel Society, Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Laurel, MS
Pastels Only solo exhibit at FL. W. Coast Symphony Center, Sarasota, FL
Renaissance in Pastel, 12th Annual National Pastel Exhibition, W. Hartford, CT
Art Encounter 2000ne, 2003, Von Liebig Art Center, Naples, FL
Southeastern Pastel Soc. International, Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta, GA
Eighth Biennial National Exhib. Pastel Society of N. Florida, Ft. Walton Beach, FL
Hilton Head National Exhibit, Hilton Head, SC
The Artists National, Coastal Center for the Arts, St. Simon Island, GA
Pastels on Cape Cod, Creative Arts Center, Chatham, MA
Selby Gallery, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
Pastels U.S.A., Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Carmichael, CA
“Palm Shadows” • 16X12 Giclee Print on Paper; 24X18 Giclee Print on Paper
“Peaceful Harbor” • 30X24 Giclee on Canvas
“Flowering Palm” • 24X13.5 Limited Edition Giclee Print
“Path to Serenity” • 22X18 Limited Edition Giclee Print
“Palm I & Palm II” • 8X10 each Vivid Colored Giclees on Tile
“Myakka River” • Available in canvas, paper or tile