Artist Marina Luz Ruiz

Luz Marina Ruiz – Artist Statement

My early fascination with California landscape and light has evolved over the years to create a synthesis of nature and light. No longer depicting actual places, I find myself still drawn to basic organic forms found in nature, seeing them as essential structures nurturing the essence of life.

I combine these simple forms, reminiscent of seeds or pods, with recognizable objects, or bird imagery directly related to dream images and personal experiences. I like that these forms are not necessarily specific; that they can easily evoke other references. The original pod form has evolved into a boat shape, transformed into another kind of human-made vessel, ready to assist with life’s journey.

At an early age I had recurring dreams that I could fly. The lightness of being and sense of freedom during my dream flights has always attracted me to bird imagery. The birds have come to symbolize, freedom, movement, and change; qualities I find important in everyday life.

I work in a variety of media: drawing, printmaking, painting, mixed media and book arts. Intrigued by the experimental nature of printmaking, I employ many printmaking approaches to my mixed media pieces: gouging, scratching, collaging and layering pigment to achieve highly textured surfaces. Combining various media and approaches allows for a rich never-ending dialogue.

Resume

Education

1986 M.F.A. Painting, University of California at Berkeley,

1985 M.A. Painting, University of California at Berkeley

1983 B.A. Printmaking & Painting, University of California at Berkeley

Exhibitions

Solo

2008 Sueños Mensajeros/Dream Messengers, NoneSuch Space Gallery, Oakland, CA
2007 Painting & Prints, Coast to Coast Fine Arts, Sargentville, Maine
2002 Transformations, Diablo Valley College Library, Pleasant Hill, CA
1990 Recent Work, Sandy Carson Gallery, Denver, CO
1987 Emerging Artist Exhibit (juried), San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1984 Monoprints, Pactite Corporation, Emeryville, California
1982 Monoprints, Moffitt Library, University of California at Berkeley
1982 Paintings & Prints, Stiles Hall, Berkeley, CA

Group

2009 Codex Book Fair 2009, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
2008 Systems of Sharing: Below the Surface, California Society of Printmakers, Bay Model, Sausalito, CA
2008 Book Forms, Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, Arizona
2008 Salud, Women’s Cancer Research Center, Oakland, California
2008 Bookworks 2008, PCBA, San Francisco Public Library, Skylight Gallery, San Francisco, California
2008 ProArts East Bay Open Studio Exhibition, ProArts Gallery, Oakland, CA
2008 To Honor Teaching, Solano Community College, Fairfield, California
2008 Forces Unseen, Abcedarian Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2008 Sit Down & Read: Book Art Show, K Gallery, Alameda, California
2008 Reader’s Art 8: Handmade with Care, Susan Hensel Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2003 Bytes & Pieces, Institute of Contemporary Art, San José, California
2003 Monotype Marathon IX, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA
2002 Amanecer de Mujeres, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2002 MACLA Auction, MACLA, San Jose, California
2002 Monotype Marathon VIII, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, California
2000 Monotype Marathon VI, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA
2000 Salon des ICA 2000, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA
1996 Group Show, Sandy Carson Gallery, Denver, CO
1992 Three Artists, Sandy Carson Gallery, Denver, CO
1992 Town & Country, Gallery Concord, Concord, CA
1991 Annual Faculty Show, DVC Art Gallery, Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA
1990 Diablo Country, Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, California
1990 Slopes of Diablo II, Contra Costa Times Building, Concord, CA
1990 The Nature Conservancy, Katie Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1990 The Outdoor Studio, Plein Air Paintings of Contra Costa, Civic Arts Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
1990 Recent Paintings, Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
1989 Landscape: Five Views, Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
1988 New Work from the Bay Area, Boulder Center for the Visual Arts, Boulder, CO
1988 California Landscapes, West Gallery, Berkeley, CA
1986 M.F.A. Exhibit, University Art Museum, Berkeley, CA
1986 Berkeley Grad Exhibit, U.C. Development Office, Los Angeles, CA
1986 Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
1986 Prize Exhibit, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley
1986 Recent Work, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley
1985 Master of Arts Degree Show, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley
1985 Art Prize Winners Exhibit, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley
1985 Berkeley at Davis, Memorial Union Art Gallery, University of California, Davis
1983 Bay Area ⁄ Australian ’83 Printmaking Exchange Exhibit, Melbourne, Australia
1983 Inside ⁄ Outside,Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley
1982 Singular Image, Heller Gallery, University of California at Berkeley
1982 Prize Exhibit, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley
1982 Print Show, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley
1982 Group Show, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley

Collections

American Express, San Francisco, California
Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, California
Kaiser Hospital, Hayward, California
Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, California
Hughes Aircraft, Los Angeles, California
T.P.S.F.C., Denver, Colorado

Awards

1986 Maybelle Toombs Award, University of California at Berkeley
1985 Maybelle Toombs Award, University of California at Berkeley
1982 Torch and Shield award, University of California at Berkeley
1982 Tevis Jacob Award, University of California at Berkeley

Publications

“College Profiles,” Video interview, Contra Costa Public Access Channel, Sep 2002.
Wolf, Sandy, Selected ‘Slopes of Diablo II’ Artists, video interview, Nov 1990.
Slopes of Diablo II (catalog), Valley Art Center, Walnut Creek, California, 1990, pg. 13.
Fowler, Carol, “Exhibit Artfully Views Mt. Diablo,” Contra Costa Times, Entertainment, Nov 15, 1990, pg. 2e (Prikel Draad reproduced).
Clegg, Nancy, “Play of the Land,” Westwood, Oct 3–9, 1990, pg. 34 (Crystal Path reproduced).
Dickinson, Carol, “Wazee Galleries Offer an Eyeful,” Rocky Mountain News, Arts & Entertainment, Sep 23, 1990, pg. 71.
“Sacramento Arts Highlights,” Westart, May 23, 1986, pg. 13 (untitled landscape reproduced).
“Student Work, Installations Featured at Art Museum, Berkeley,” Westart, May 9, 1986, pg. 9.
“MFA / UCB / 1986,” University Art Museum Calendar, May 1986, pg. 2 (untitled landscape reproduced).
Dalkey, Virginia, “Current Kingsley Not a Choice Selection,” Sacramento Bee, Weekend Scene, Apr 25, 1986, pg. 8.



	Luz Marina Ruiz – Artist Statement My early fascination with California landscape and light has evolved over the years to create a synthesis of nature and light. No longer depicting actual places, I find myself still drawn to basic organic forms found in nature, seeing them as essential structures nurturing the essence of life. I combine these simple forms, reminiscent of seeds or pods, with recognizable objects, or bird imagery directly related to dream images and personal experiences. I like that these forms are not necessarily specific; that they can easily evoke other references. The original pod form has evolved into a boat shape, transformed into another kind of human-made vessel, ready to assist with life’s journey. At an early age I had recurring dreams that I could fly. The lightness of being and sense of freedom during my dream flights has always attracted me to bird imagery. The birds have come to symbolize, freedom, movement, and change; qualities I find important in everyday life. I work in a variety of media: drawing, printmaking, painting, mixed media and book arts. Intrigued by the experimental nature of printmaking, I employ many printmaking approaches to my mixed media pieces: gouging, scratching, collaging and layering pigment to achieve highly textured surfaces. Combining various media and approaches allows for a rich never-ending dialogue. Resume Education 1986 M.F.A. Painting, University of California at Berkeley, 1985 M.A. Painting, University of California at Berkeley 1983 B.A. Printmaking & Painting, University of California at Berkeley Exhibitions Solo 2008 Sueños Mensajeros/Dream Messengers, NoneSuch Space Gallery, Oakland, CA 2007 Painting & Prints, Coast to Coast Fine Arts, Sargentville, Maine 2002 Transformations, Diablo Valley College Library, Pleasant Hill, CA 1990 Recent Work, Sandy Carson Gallery, Denver, CO 1987 Emerging Artist Exhibit (juried), San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA 1984 Monoprints, Pactite Corporation, Emeryville, California 1982 Monoprints, Moffitt Library, University of California at Berkeley 1982 Paintings & Prints, Stiles Hall, Berkeley, CA Group 2009 Codex Book Fair 2009, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 2008 Systems of Sharing: Below the Surface, California Society of Printmakers, Bay Model, Sausalito, CA 2008 Book Forms, Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, Arizona 2008 Salud, Women’s Cancer Research Center, Oakland, California 2008 Bookworks 2008, PCBA, San Francisco Public Library, Skylight Gallery, San Francisco, California 2008 ProArts East Bay Open Studio Exhibition, ProArts Gallery, Oakland, CA 2008 To Honor Teaching, Solano Community College, Fairfield, California 2008 Forces Unseen, Abcedarian Gallery, Denver, Colorado 2008 Sit Down & Read: Book Art Show, K Gallery, Alameda, California 2008 Reader’s Art 8: Handmade with Care, Susan Hensel Gallery, Minneapolis, MN 2003 Bytes & Pieces, Institute of Contemporary Art, San José, California 2003 Monotype Marathon IX, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA 2002 Amanecer de Mujeres, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois 2002 MACLA Auction, MACLA, San Jose, California 2002 Monotype Marathon VIII, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, California 2000 Monotype Marathon VI, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA 2000 Salon des ICA 2000, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA 1996 Group Show, Sandy Carson Gallery, Denver, CO 1992 Three Artists, Sandy Carson Gallery, Denver, CO 1992 Town & Country, Gallery Concord, Concord, CA 1991 Annual Faculty Show, DVC Art Gallery, Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA 1990 Diablo Country, Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, California 1990 Slopes of Diablo II, Contra Costa Times Building, Concord, CA 1990 The Nature Conservancy, Katie Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1990 The Outdoor Studio, Plein Air Paintings of Contra Costa, Civic Arts Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA 1990 Recent Paintings, Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA 1989 Landscape: Five Views, Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA 1988 New Work from the Bay Area, Boulder Center for the Visual Arts, Boulder, CO 1988 California Landscapes, West Gallery, Berkeley, CA 1986 M.F.A. Exhibit, University Art Museum, Berkeley, CA 1986 Berkeley Grad Exhibit, U.C. Development Office, Los Angeles, CA 1986 Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA 1986 Prize Exhibit, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley 1986 Recent Work, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley 1985 Master of Arts Degree Show, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley 1985 Art Prize Winners Exhibit, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley 1985 Berkeley at Davis, Memorial Union Art Gallery, University of California, Davis 1983 Bay Area ⁄ Australian ’83 Printmaking Exchange Exhibit, Melbourne, Australia 1983 Inside ⁄ Outside,Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley 1982 Singular Image, Heller Gallery, University of California at Berkeley 1982 Prize Exhibit, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley 1982 Print Show, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley 1982 Group Show, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, University of California at Berkeley Collections American Express, San Francisco, California Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, California Kaiser Hospital, Hayward, California Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, California Hughes Aircraft, Los Angeles, California T.P.S.F.C., Denver, Colorado Awards 1986 Maybelle Toombs Award, University of California at Berkeley 1985 Maybelle Toombs Award, University of California at Berkeley 1982 Torch and Shield award, University of California at Berkeley 1982 Tevis Jacob Award, University of California at Berkeley Publications “College Profiles,” Video interview, Contra Costa Public Access Channel, Sep 2002. Wolf, Sandy, Selected ‘Slopes of Diablo II’ Artists, video interview, Nov 1990. Slopes of Diablo II (catalog), Valley Art Center, Walnut Creek, California, 1990, pg. 13. Fowler, Carol, “Exhibit Artfully Views Mt. Diablo,” Contra Costa Times, Entertainment, Nov 15, 1990, pg. 2e (Prikel Draad reproduced). Clegg, Nancy, “Play of the Land,” Westwood, Oct 3–9, 1990, pg. 34 (Crystal Path reproduced). Dickinson, Carol, “Wazee Galleries Offer an Eyeful,” Rocky Mountain News, Arts & Entertainment, Sep 23, 1990, pg. 71. “Sacramento Arts Highlights,” Westart, May 23, 1986, pg. 13 (untitled landscape reproduced). “Student Work, Installations Featured at Art Museum, Berkeley,” Westart, May 9, 1986, pg. 9. “MFA / UCB / 1986,” University Art Museum Calendar, May 1986, pg. 2 (untitled landscape reproduced). Dalkey, Virginia, “Current Kingsley Not a Choice Selection,” Sacramento Bee, Weekend Scene, Apr 25, 1986, pg. 8.





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