She has always had a passion for realist portraiture and figure drawing, and is currently exploring how these academic subjects can become material for poetic expression. Ruthie earned a BFA in Illustration at RISD, and is now pursuing an MFA in Painting and Drawing at CSULB. She attributes much of her technical training to her studies at Watts Atelier and with Professor Yu Ji. Ruthie is interested in how a propensity for introspection and sensitivity to her environment influences her experience of the world, as well as how these experiences define her identity.