Ruth Oosterman is a contemporary Canadian artist, self-taught she began exploring her creative side at a young age evolving into the artist she is today with work displayed at numerous exhibitions and private collections around the world.
Ruth's art reflects the inner struggles of her mind, torn between realism's structured order and the liberating call of creative chaos, her work often overlapping nature with humanity.
Her series, "Collaborations with my Toddler," gained international acclaim in 2014, profoundly influencing her artistic direction. Collaborating with her then two-year-old daughter, Eve, transformed Ruth's once structured and realistic style into a spontaneous, carefree exploration of art through a child's eyes.
Spending the last decade collaborating with her children has drastically impacted her individual painting style as they continue to teach her abut letting go of control and be open to every and any possibility that can happen in the artistic process.
When a child paints there is no such thing as a "mistake" and that very reason is what gives them the freedom from the fear that holds back many artists from reaching their full potential. Being able to slow down and see the canvas from a child's perspective has given Ruth the priceless ability to see life in its true, raw form, something we all lose as we age. As Picasso so famously said, “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
Working out of her home studio, Ruth is busy creating an exciting new series of paintings, illustrating children's books while continuing to collaborate side by side with her children, Eve, Theodore and Jojo.
If you want to inquire about custom commissions or simply say hi just use the CONTACT form to reach Ruth directly or email ruthoosterman@hotmail.com
*Any NFT sold under Ruth Oosterman's name is not legitimate as she does not partake in the NFT platform*