Ruthie Frank creates functional and fun ceramics from her lively home studio in New Plymouth.

Her works will be on show this Thursday night at The Virtue From 5-7pm.

We met up with Ruthie to ask her a few questions about herself, her works, and what inspires her.

Ruthie in her home studio 2018

So Ruthie, Whats usually on your mind when planning a body of work?

“I guess I do a timeline of the different stages the work needs to go through to get to the finished product. It’s such a slow process It can take weeks from start to finish. I try to envision the end product but the work never quite comes out as planned and that’s what is exciting.”

Them magic hands

How do you get through creative blocks?

“I have them a lot. I usually won’t work if I’m not in the mood for it, I’ll go do something else like go for a surf, a walk or read and research.

Colour pallets

Tell me a bit about the mediums you use for your work?

“Im working with liquid porcelain and Ive got to make a mould to hold it together. I colour the clay and I always put a clear glaze overtop. There are three firings involved in the work if I choose to add gold, silver or copper lustre.”

What does successful look like for Ruthie Frank?

“Just to be happy I guess; but not all the time, to be surrounded by my friends and family and have time to slow down and do the things I love.”

Pania

Who inspires you on a daily basis?

“Nature definitely does. I feel very inspired when I’m in the ocean. My friends inspire and so do the musicians and artists that I follow.”

Inspired

Custom Design For the Virtue

We mood board and Ruthie makes as simple as that, we trust her entirely.

Ruthie Frank

For the Virtue

What is your earliest memory of creating ceramics? Were you passionate about another art form before you began your career as a ceramicist?

“ Think my earliest memory with ceramics would have been through my Aunty when I was younger. She was a potter and I remember playing around with her clay. As for the other art form, I studied photography at Massey University but I got no work out of it it was more of a hobby. I studied arts at high school as well.”

What interests you about The Virtue?

“I didn’t really know much about them until they approached me. They have such great taste and create beautiful work.”

Your works feature a lot of pastels, what attracts you to certain colour schemes?

“They’re just colours I like. My favourite right now is blue but it changes all the time.”

What is the best part about being self employed artist?

“The Best Part is being able to work whenever I want to and being able to be flexible. The worst part is the money as income is so irregular, which makes it difficult. I work casually as well for Pathways as a support worker. I admire anybody that is a full time self employed artist, hopefully one day in the future I’ll be one too.”

Rad colour ways

What artists are you currently obsessed with?

“Laura Callaghan, Ben Evans, Xoe Hall from New Zealand, she’s amazing For ceramics Harvey Bouterse and Anne Mossman.”

What Brings a smile to your face?

“Sunshine and being warm.”

Big thanks to Ruthie for sharing her talents with us xo