A Gordonstoun student who only began oil painting two years ago has become the youngest artist to feature at a prestigious national arts exhibition – aged just 17.
Ruby Mitcham, who only celebrated her birthday in September, is regarded as one of the most talented young artists in the UK.
Her oil portrait of her best friend and roommate is currently being showcased at the Society of Scottish Artists (SSA) Annual Exhibition, taking place at the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA).
Ruby’s striking painting called ‘A Scottish Lass’ – a portrait of her friend Iona Watters – was one of just over 200 works selected from more than 2,000 entries.
Since it was founded in 1891, the SSA has exhibited work by Rodin, Raeburn and Rembrandt, alongside paintings by established Scottish artists such as Joseph Farquharson and Noel Paton. Picasso, Munch and Paul Klee were three internationally known artists whose work was exhibited in the following decades.
Ruby has further honed her talent in learning the techniques of old masters by recently spending a week at the Edinburgh Atelier of Fine Art.
She also spent a week’s residency with acclaimed Scottish artist Frances Macdonald after Ruby’s work was exhibited in London.
Another of her paintings, called ‘A Pause Between Wild Adventures’, has been shortlisted for the Scottish Portrait Awards currently touring around the country, and Ruby was also nominated for Young Fine Artist.
Ruby and her family had no idea she had such a talent until she first painted a portrait of her father, Damian, aged just 15 years. She is now in the first year of a two-year senior art scholarship at Gordonstoun.
Wendi Van-Hoof, Head of Art at Gordonstoun, said:
“Ruby is a fantastic artist who has truly honed her craft over the past two years at Gordonstoun. Her stunning portraiture reflects not only technical skill but also a deep creative insight, making her a rising star to watch.”
Ruby is also an accomplished musician – she plays the violin and is a ‘lovely fresh soprano’. Her accolades include recently winning the Fleming-Wyfold Young Person’s Art Competition for a portrait of a girl who is a drummer in the school pipe band.
Ruby’s mother, Joanna, added:
“Ruby has always been creative but we were totally taken aback when she produced her first oil painting at 15. It was a super portrait of her dad, really showing his personality and her talent.
“Ruby is a very harsh critic of herself, but we are a bit in awe of how far she has come in such a short period of time.
“School and the art department have been fantastic in supporting Ruby. Unbeknown to Ruby, her teacher entered her into the Caledonian Club Scottish Schools Art Competition.
“Her first place led to the wonderful opportunity to spend time with renowned Scottish artist Frances Macdonald at her studio in the small coastal village of Crinan.
“The past year has been a dream come true for Ruby and now one of her oil portraits is being featured in the Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition. She is the youngest artist to be selected for the exhibition and we are so proud of her.
“It’s even more special that the painting is of her best friend and roommate, Iona. The girls spend a lot of time together. Ruby paints what she sees, so she painted Iona, who is almost always by her side.
“Ruby’s room is not like a typical teenager’s; it’s more like an art studio with an easel, paintbrushes in jars, shelves for drying paintings and still life set-ups dotted around.
“The next step for Ruby would be Art School, but she has just begun her two-year art scholarship at Gordonstoun, so she has plenty of time to hone her craft.”
Ruby has already had several paid commissions from people impressed by her oil portraits.
Ruby said:
“At 15, my art teacher nudged me to consider painting in oils. The idea was scary at first, I had only really been working in tonal pencil until then, but I love that oils are so malleable and stay wet for so long.
“I go through phases of liking and not liking my work, but it’s worth it in the end. There’s no better feeling than creating something that brings you joy to look at.
“This year has been a shock. Gordonstoun entered me in my first ever competition and now I have work hanging in the RSA. It’s been unbelievable.
“Looking ahead, I want to find an art school that’s a good fit, try new things, but also keep traditional portrait painting alive and join the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. School pushes me to think about why and what I’m creating. They also give me the freedom to express myself.”
Iona Watters added:
“I feel immensely flattered to be the subject of such an amazing painting. It is surreal, but not surprising to see the art I’ve watched Ruby create in our room at school end up in an exhibition and win competitions. Ruby often paints people close to her like friends and family which is how I have ended up the subject of a couple of her paintings.”
Categories: Gordonstoun Richard Huish College School News
