ABOUT THE ARTIST: ----------The early years of Sherry Ruden's life began in China's greatest city - Shanghai, a hotbed of industry, fashion and culture. Surrounded by an ancient culture evolved over thousands of years, she developed a profound appreciation for the spirit of Chinese art, a unity of painting, poetry, and calligraphy via its breathing of forms, lines, and shapes. Her first pieces of artwork are studies of Chinese calligraphy and scroll paintings on rice paper and silk. Since 1982, she had attended many drawing classes in public schools and private studios. In 1986, she decided to quit her job as an accountant to become an artist. She began attending night classes to prepare for the college exams. Her hard work and dedication paid off: she was one of a few students to be accepted to the prestigious Shanghai Fine Art University. ----------During her years at the university, she was exposed to Western culture and became deeply immersed in the creation of biblical stories in the Renaissance, the arts and literature of the Western civilization. She studied the classical antiquities, but soon, she was fascinated by the artists of the early 20th century like Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, and Paul Gauguin. "I began absorbing anything and everything I could find of the decorative art forms in that period too." After graduating, she worked as a graphic artist while actively involved in the local art community. Her early works were mostly studies, and landscapes of Chinese villages, primarily in oil. She had traveled throughout China, from the ancient cities to the rural countryside, sketching and drawing. Her works was exhibited several times at Shanghai Fine Art Museum - the only art gallery that exhibits works of contemporary artists at that time. ----------In the summer of 1997, Sherry moved to the United States. She works and lives in the great Northwest, and continues on her artistic exploration. Her inspiration came from a few visits to Europe and the continuing study of Western art and culture. Seeing the original works of her inspiring artists and the fascinating European architecture, she started to develop new direction in her art. "I only paint the subjects that move me the most. In each and every moment or stage in life, the stimulation of my art is diverse although it has a progressive pattern." The way Sherry's imagination translates through her artwork is truly awe-inspiring. ----------"My artwork is my self-expression. Through the whim of my creation, I express myself beyond my thoughts. My art creates a unique character that concatenates with the voice of my own rhythm. My destiny will be my vision of creation resting on a wave near a port, which has the same resonance as in my reckless dreams…" ----------www.artvoyager.com ----------Winter 2005, Sherry Ruden