Wildlife Paintings by Ruth Read

Ruth Read is an American artist (painter, photographer and writer) who grew up in Oregon surrounded by animals. In 1971 she married and moved to California, where she still lives. She began taking art lessons in 1999, and began painting beautiful pet portraits as a result of working in and owning a grooming shop.

After a year of taking art classes Ruth enrolled in a small school in Sierra Madre to study oil painting. She read many books on animals and wildlife and applied the knowledge to her paintings.

Pet portraits are still a major passion of Ruth’s. To see some of them you can visit her personal website, Ruth’s Art Gallery. Besides pet portraits Ruth paints a variety of subjects which have been on display in many cities across California.

Enjoy a selection of these wildlife portraits (which are accompanied by Ruth’s comments), and please leave a comment for the artist!
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Heron – This is a painting of a bird inspired by a heron from Sea World in San Diego, CA. He kept going from rock to rock, following Ruth, but keeping his distance.

Lizard - This lizard was lounging in a fruit basket on the porch of artist’s house in Hawaii. “This little lizard would come right up beside us and eat the little bugs flying around. He was there every evening when we sat around talking. He became very friendly.”

Butterfly - “Yes, I really like butterflies.”

Flying Bird -”This heron was flying back and forth making a nest at the animal park.”

Morning Feast – Ruth loves to paint hummingbirds.

Gorilla – “This might be my second favorite painting. This Gorilla was so mischievous. You can see it in her body language.”

Ira’s Pelican – “This just might be my very favorite painting. I fell in love with a photo that my friend Ira Yanick took. He let me paint it, of course it is different than the photo, but I think it turned out really nice.”

African Crane – Another of the artist’s favorites.

Hummer – The first part of a set of three hummingbird drawings I thought I should include as the finale to this wonderful series. I hope you enjoyed them all.    (P.S. This piece is NOT a painting, it is a pencil drawing.)

To see more of  Ruth Read’s amazing art work, take a look at her heartfelt photo story, The Swan, the true story of a friendship between an artist and a beautiful swan, that took place in Hawaii.

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