Ruth Anne has loved making art for as long as she can remember,
so it was predictable that she would find a career and life-long passion in the arts. After completing an Honours Fine Art degree from the
University of Toronto, her teaching career for 32 years for the Thames Valley
Board of Education prompted her to learn many art techniques and media as well
as a great appreciation for art history. This background has been
such an advantage to her other passion: traveling. Art is visual
history, and with an art background you see the world with rich insight.
‘Key River’ is a meandering group of raku-fired fish. This is a
special outdoor firing in which the piece is briefly put through a reduction
atmosphere. This ancient Japanese firing technique translates to ‘Joyful
Surprise’ which refers to the fact that the process is very unpredictable,
often influenced by the humidity, temperature, wind, and even by other pieces
in the kiln.
Some of Ruth Anne’s fondest memories growing up in the Salmon
family were the frequent trips north to Key River to spend a week in a rustic
cottage, enjoying nature on the river while fishing for hours and hours every
day. It was truly undivided family time which is the most beautiful and
bright memory that anyone could ask for.
Every raku firing is different; there are surprises every
time. It has been a challenge developing techniques to achieve the
reduction process in raku firing small pieces. Big pieces retain
more heat as they are quickly removed from an 1850 degree kiln, but
experimenting for a very long time is finally paying off to create this variety
of metallic colours.
When worn it is the intent that this one of a kind piece of
wearable art will spark interest and conversation and in turn help to make
someone’s day bright and beautiful.
For most artists
one idea is constantly leading to another idea, and there is a constant need to
keep trying to solve the next artistic problem. Ruth Anne often dreams of
having a second life so she will have more time to try everything.
“Watching fish and marine
creatures going about their daily lives, swimming and meandering over
their aquarium’s terrain, is oddly soothing and hypnotic. And, according
to research recently published in Environment & Behavior, it’s good for
your health.”
Cherida McCullagh and Ruth Anne
Merner teamed up to create this colourful mosaic bench with the hope that it
will not only be a place to rest and relax but also to escape to beautiful
thoughts and memories. These two local artists (from Belgrave and
Dashwood) shared laughter, excitement and surprises as they planned and
snipped. Sharing creative ideas with a friend is indeed a bright and
beautiful experience, which is hard to beat.
