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Jan Ruby-Crystal

Northampton, MA, United States

Like many artists I see potential art materials in many things beyond traditional art making mediums...

About the artist

Jan Ruby-Crystal

Joined In 2017

(1 Followers)

About the artist

Jan Ruby-Crystal

Joined In 2017

(1 Followers)

ABOUT
EDUCATION
EXHIBITIONS

Like many artists I see potential art materials in many things beyond traditional art making mediums, tools and supports. I use a variety of homemade tools to carve extra thick watercolor paper made by Strathmore at their old mill in Turners Falls. Color is added with paint, powders and pencils. I spend at least two or three months on each of my carvings. I find the work to be meditative and compelling, exciting at times, difficult at others, but a journey that I feel grateful to be on. I am always learning more and more about our precious nature. I hope you enjoy seeing my work and feel a little bit different the next time you take a walk in nature.

I also create using watercolor and acrylic paintings using traditional supports and materials.

I have been interested in natural forms for as long as I can remember. I especially love flowers, sticks, nests, birds, feathers and objects I find on my daily walks along the trails and rivers near my home. My interest peaks as natural objects all around us begin to take on unusual characteristics such as twisted leaves, partially eaten pine cones, leaves trampled and imprinted in the mud with ice forming and concealing, scrolled bark. To me, nature become truly magnificent as objects ...

I began my teaching career when I was 10 years old, inviting neighborhood kids to art classes on our front porch for 10 cents a class. Eventually after my own education at Pratt Institute, I spent the next 46 years as a Professor of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology and Shippensburg University.

Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York 
Degree: Master of Fine Arts. May 1979 thesis: The Paper Matrix major: Printmaking; minor: Education grades: 3.9/4.0 GPA. Graduate Assistant Scholarship

Pratt institute of technology, Brooklyn, New York 11205
Degree: Bachelor of fine Arts, June 1972, graduated with honors
major: Art Education, minor: Studio Art
grades: 3.7/4.0 GPA. Dean’s List–Pratt institute Scholarship

2023
Northampton Senior Center, Juried Solo Exhibition, Natural Connections

2022
Hosmer Gallery, Forbes Library, Juried online Exhibition

Northampton- Western MA Juried Biennial Exhibition

2020
Pleiades Gallery of Contemporary Art, Chelsea, N.Y.C., Invitational

2019
Elms College Two-Person Exhibition, Chicopee, MA, Seeking Light

Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, Northampton, MA, Solo Exhibition, Following My Eyes

2018
A.P.E Three-Person Exhibition, Northampton MA, Finding Light

Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, Northampton, MA, Solo Exhibition, Natural Growth

Hosmer Gallery, Forbes Library, Juried Two-Person Exhibition, Northampton, MA, Fences


2017
Mill 180 Solo Exhibition, Easthampton, MA Delectables

Mill 180 Group Exhibition, Easthampton, MA Plein Aire Paintings

2016 

Hope and Feather’s Art Gallery, Amherst, MA Solo Exhibition Ripe to Rotten

Historic Northampton, Solo Exhibition, Award, Solo Exhibition Toys: Yesterday and Today

Westhampton, MA Memorial Library, Solo Exhibition Shack Time 


2015
Paradise Valley: Invitational


2014
Pleiades Gallery of Contemporary Art, Chelsea, N.Y.C., Invitational


2013
Hosmer Gallery, Forbes Library, Northampton, MA...