ABOUT RUTH THE ARTIST

Hello! I’m Ruth Harrison, Plato’s Girl.

No, not the Greek philosopher, but the girl of my dad George ‘Plato’ Harrison who was for many years the wine merchant in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, where I grew up. 

As well as being a wine expert my Dad was also an excellent and stylish calligrapher but my interest in and gift of art comes mainly from my Mother Joan, herself a gifted and creative painter. She was also an excellent cook, mainly in the French style, and began to pass her considerable skills to me as a willing childhood pupil.  After attending the nearby Casterton Girls School I enjoyed more specific and formal training at catering college and after qualifying became employed by the leading London Agency, Lumleys, as a professional Cook / Housekeeper.

Lumleys supply specialist staff and in these placement roles I enjoyed meeting many wonderfully interesting and eccentric people, fellow staff and house owners (!), whilst working in many grand and private domains in Europe and the UK. Not least Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire where, as a nervous twenty one year old, I was appointed to be the first cook/ housekeeper to the newly married Princess Anne. 

As a young girl I developed a huge interest in a television programme of the day made by Jacques Cousteau, a French scientist and the pioneer inventor of scuba diving. His underwater filming created in me two things, a desire to travel and an everlasting interest in the beauty of marine life, not to mention his beautiful yacht Calypso.

I am lucky that later on my career also gave me the opportunity as a freelance to combine work and travel. I was, amongst other places, able to live in Australia working as a Chef and whilst there to spend some time in Cairns swimming in and exploring that most magical of places, the Great Barrier Reef.

Now in my more mature years I can look back on an interesting life and whilst reflecting take the opportunity to quietly draw. Where, taking my youthful inspiration, I have focussed mainly on fish and marine creatures as subjects.

I have tried to include humour and fun in my artwork alongside a slightly provocative and gently risqué approach. I hope this will appeal to you and hope that you find my work as amusing and enjoyable to view as I have to create.