Ruth Sanderson

Golden Wood Studio – The Art of Ruth Sanderson

The paintings that are the most compelling to me are those that communicate both narratively and symbolically, that are realistic but not mundane. I try to create mythic, poetic visions that depict the beauty of the world, a sense of wonder, and the potential nobility of spirit in all human beings.

Ruth Sanderson grew up in Monson and also lived in Ware for 20 years before moving to Easthampton in 2005. She attended the Paier College of Art and has been a professional illustrator since 1975. She belongs to of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and The Western Mass. Illustrator’s Guild.

Over the past 30 years Ruth Sanderson has illustrated more than 70 books for children of all ages. Her original fairytale The Enchanted Wood received both the Irma S. Black award for best picture book of 1992, and the Young Hoosier Award in 1995. Her retelling The Golden Mare, the Firebird and the Magic Ring won the Texas Bluebonnet Award for 2003. Ruth’s paintings have been included in exhibitions around the country, including The Norman Rockwell Museum, The Society of Illustrators, The Original Art, the Delaware Museum of Art, The Art Museum of Western Virginia, and the Words and Pictures Museum, as well as many galleries.