hookcolby@comcast.net
 

941.486.8819

Award-winning artist Ruth Höök Colby expresses her vision through the medium of pastel.  She prefers pastel for its versatility, immediacy and vibrant color.  “Pastel is pure pigment with just enough binder to hold the rich powder together.  For me, the combination of soft texture and powerful color, innate to pastel, is one of the most  important aspects of the medium….playing with color makes my heart sing.”

My inspiration is both internal and external resulting in both abstract and realistic work. The abstract paintings evolve from intuitive drawings which present an idea or thought from a personal inner perspective.  In my realistic work, landscape or the figure is the inspiration.

Ms. Colby was one of 10 finalists internationally selected in a competition sponsored by Pastel Artist International magazine (September/October 2002 edition). For many years, her paintings have been featured in national and international juried exhibitions throughout the United States. She has received numerous awards and holds.    signature membership in the Southeastern Pastel Society.

 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, Albert Handell, Richard McKinley and Alan Flattmann. Her work is in private collections throughout the United States and Europe. 

Ms. Colby is represented by the Katharine Butler Gallery, Towles Court, Sarasota, Florida

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”, 12^th 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

Degas Pastel Society Exhibit, Bryant Gallery, New Orleans, LA

2D/3D Fine Art Juried Exhibition, Alliance for the Arts, Ft. Myers, FL

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

Ninth International Open Exhibition, Hudgens Center for the Arts, Duluth, GA

Selby Gallery, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL

10^th International Open Show, Quinlan Visual Art Center, Gainesville, GA

Ninth Biennial National Exhibition, Degas Pastel Society, New Orleans, LA

“Pastels U.S.A.”, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Carmichael, CA

XII Annual Open Inter. Exhibit, Longboat Key Art Center, Longboat Key, FL

Selected  Awards and Honors

Distinguished Alumni Award, Bradford High School Alumni Assoc., Kenosha, WI  2005

Merit Award, Abstract Exhibition, Venice Art Center, Venice, Florida  2005

Merit Award, 2005 Members Exhibit, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Dunedin, Florida  2005

Member of Excellence, awarded by Southeastern Pastel Society Lilburn, Georgia   2004

Third Place. Fall Members Exhibit, Women Contemporary Artists, Englewood, FL 2004

Third Place.  Art in Business Exhibition, Manatee Arts Council, Bradenton, Florida  2004

First Place.   37th Annual Fine Art Show, Englewood Art Center, Englewood, Florida  2004

Honorable Mention.  Abstract Exhibition, Venice Art Center, Venice, Florida   2004

Merit Award, Florida Landscapes, Venice Art Center, Venice, Florida   2004

Honorable Mention.  Festival of Art, Charlotte County Art Guild, Punta Gorda, Florida  2003

1 of 10 Finalists worldwide -  International Landscape Competition sponsored by Pastel Artist    International magazine  2002

Merit Award.  Festival of Art 2001, Charlotte County Art Guild, Punta Gorda, Florida 2001

Judge’s Recognition, National Art Exhibit 2000, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Florida 2000

Selected Bibliography

“Pastel Artist works with the real and the abstract”, Sarasota Herald Tribune, May 20, 2005

“Neighbors, a pastel girl in a watercolor world.”  Osprey Observer, Oct. 1, 2004

“Artist in Residence, Arts Page, Sarasota Herald Tribune, June 17, 2001

A complete resume available upon request.