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ABOUT THE ARTIST

Ruth Major
Vineyard Haven, MA, USA

I live on the island of Martha's Vineyard where I research, write, and paint.

Since 1990, my work has been exhibited both on island and in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Illininois. Since 2006, I have been working with several archaeologists and historians on the development of historical paintings and related articles, and I continue to paint in other genres as well (See Portfolios). Currently, I am preparing for a traveling historical exhibit in Rhode Island commissioned by the Warren Preservatiin Society in conjunction with the Sowams Heritage Area Project.

I believe strongly that we should honor our ancestors and unite in our efforts to provide all people with equal justice, liberty, opportunity and respect.

FORMAL TRAINING

A descendant of many merchant mariners, artists, scientists and writers, I learned to be a keen observer and appreciate the details in nature as well as the reflections, physical properties and shadows of objects. I graduated from the Newton Public Schools with a scholarship to Massachusetts College of Art and Design where I studied with many outstanding professors for seven years. These were some of the most enjoyable years of my life, and I earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and an MS in Art Education at MASSART specializing in Native New England Functional Art Forms. Post graduate Studies at several colleges and universities provided another 30 credits in administration, curriculum development, child development, guidance, instruction and assessment.

MA Program Directing/Teaching Licenses include (K-12) Art, and Grades (9-12) Child Care, Development and Guidance, as well as

Director II, Group Child Care, and Lead Teacher: Infant, Toddler and Preschool/preK.

MENTORS

Dr. Russell Doucette, Professor Emeritus, Cross Cultural Studies Massachusetts College of Art
Dr. Diana Korzenik, Professor Emeritus, Art Education Department Massachusetts College of Art
Barbara C. Whitney, My Mother and Poet
Margot T. Frary, Aunt and Pastel Portrait Painter
Mary Simmonds, Great Aunt and Landscape Painter

FAVORITE and INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS

Past                                             Present

Alesandro Botticelli, 1445 - 1510         Andrew G. Moore, Painter

Leonardo DaVinci, 1452 - 1519             Koo Schadler, Painter

Rembrandt Van Rijn, 1606 - 1669           Craig Dripps, Photographer

Johannes Vermeer, 1632 - 1675             Duane Keiser, Painter

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1828 - 1882       Jan Brett, Illustrator

FAVORITE QUOTES:

                I wake to sleep and take my waking slow.
                I learn by going where I have to go.

The darkness has its own light.

Theodore Roethke

"If you ever need a helping hand,

you'll find it at the end of your arm."

Yiddish Proverb


	home - portfolios - about the artist - artist statement - contact ABOUT THE ARTIST Ruth Major Vineyard Haven, MA, USA I live on the island of Martha's Vineyard where I research, write, and paint. Since 1990, my work has been exhibited both on island and in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Illininois. Since 2006, I have been working with several archaeologists and historians on the development of historical paintings and related articles, and I continue to paint in other genres as well (See Portfolios). Currently, I am preparing for a traveling historical exhibit in Rhode Island commissioned by the Warren Preservatiin Society in conjunction with the Sowams Heritage Area Project. I believe strongly that we should honor our ancestors and unite in our efforts to provide all people with equal justice, liberty, opportunity and respect. FORMAL TRAINING A descendant of many merchant mariners, artists, scientists and writers, I learned to be a keen observer and appreciate the details in nature as well as the reflections, physical properties and shadows of objects. I graduated from the Newton Public Schools with a scholarship to Massachusetts College of Art and Design where I studied with many outstanding professors for seven years. These were some of the most enjoyable years of my life, and I earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and an MS in Art Education at MASSART specializing in Native New England Functional Art Forms. Post graduate Studies at several colleges and universities provided another 30 credits in administration, curriculum development, child development, guidance, instruction and assessment. MA Program Directing/Teaching Licenses include (K-12) Art, and Grades (9-12) Child Care, Development and Guidance, as well as Director II, Group Child Care, and Lead Teacher: Infant, Toddler and Preschool/preK. MENTORS Dr. Russell Doucette, Professor Emeritus, Cross Cultural Studies Massachusetts College of Art Dr. Diana Korzenik, Professor Emeritus, Art Education Department Massachusetts College of Art Barbara C. Whitney, My Mother and Poet Margot T. Frary, Aunt and Pastel Portrait Painter Mary Simmonds, Great Aunt and Landscape Painter FAVORITE and INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS Past Present Alesandro Botticelli, 1445 - 1510 Andrew G. Moore, Painter Leonardo DaVinci, 1452 - 1519 Koo Schadler, Painter Rembrandt Van Rijn, 1606 - 1669 Craig Dripps, Photographer Johannes Vermeer, 1632 - 1675 Duane Keiser, Painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1828 - 1882 Jan Brett, Illustrator FAVORITE QUOTES: I wake to sleep and take my waking slow. I learn by going where I have to go. The darkness has its own light. Theodore Roethke "If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find it at the end of your arm." Yiddish Proverb
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