Maggie Ruley
LIFE IS GOOD, BUT ISLAND LIFE IS BETTER!
Living in the beautiful Florida Keys gives me endless inspiration for my work. Vibrant colors and tropical motifs are abundant. The shimmering sea and crystal sky change minute by minute to visually stimulate the imagination. I use all of these elements in creating my tropical pottery.
POTTERY
I have been making pottery since 1971. I moved to Key West in 1985 after receiving my BFA from the University of Arizona. My first studio was on the corner of Thomas and Petronia Street where the Blue Heaven restuarant is now. While working in that space I began to explore the use of white earthenware and colored ceramic pigments to create a body of work that incorporates the tropical motifs and colors found in Key West's island life style. The exploration of those themes coninues to enthrall me. My ceramic flip flops can be found in gift shops and galleries along the east coast. My full line of tropical pottery can be seen in my co-op gallery,
7 Artists Key West, on Duval Street in Key West.
Sometimes I paint.
Searching for new ways to express yourself, and exploring new mediums is one of the joys of being a visual artist. I am continually taking classes and workshops to expose myself to new techniques. I have been painting more and more. Please look at my painting pages. My newest paintings are much looser and more abstract than my previous paintings.
CHECK OUT MY BLOG.
I have started a blog, every couple of days I show work that is in progress in my studio. It is interesting to watch a painting or clay piece go through its changes.
Red Mangrove Sunset
This painting was painted outside on a hot summer day. Those two small islands are just off shore in the Gulf of Mexico. I guess the red theme is a result of the heat. 16"x20" SOLD
