Ruth Simpson (artist) facts for kids

Ruth Simpson (born Alison, 1889 – 1964) was a British artist. She was an important part of two famous art groups: the Newlyn School of artists and the Lamorna artists colony. These groups were known for their unique painting styles in Cornwall, England.

Ruth Simpson's Life and Art

Ruth Simpson was born in Newcastle in 1889. Her parents were Alister and Ada Alison. She grew up with a passion for art.

Learning to Paint

Ruth went to the Forbes School of Painting in Newlyn, Cornwall. She studied there in 1911 and 1912. Her teachers were the famous artists Elizabeth and Stanhope Forbes. While studying in Newlyn, Ruth lived with her sister Rose. They enjoyed a busy social life in the art community.

Family and Moving Around

During her time in Newlyn, Ruth met another artist named Charles Walter Simpson. They got married in 1913. Their daughter, Leonora, was born the next year in Newlyn.

The family moved to different places in Cornwall. They lived in Carbis Bay, Lamorna, and St Ives. In 1919, Ruth and Charles had a special art show together.

Running an Art School

In 1920, the Simpsons started their own painting school in St Ives. It was called the Shore Studio. Ruth was very good at teaching students how to paint portraits. A portrait is a painting of a person.

In 1924, they closed their school and moved to London. But they loved Cornwall and returned in 1931. They settled in Lamorna and stayed there until 1945. After that, they moved to Penzance.

Later Years and Legacy

It seems Ruth Simpson did not paint much after returning from London. She passed away in Redruth in 1964. She is buried in the cemetery at Paul.

Ruth Simpson's Painting Style

Ruth Simpson mostly painted portraits. She had a special way of painting people. She used bright and modern colors in her work. Often, her paintings had colorful backgrounds.

Famous Portraits

Ruth painted several portraits of other women artists who lived in Cornwall. These included Ella Naper and Gertrude Harvey.

One of her paintings, Portrait of an Officer, is kept at the Imperial War Museum. Another portrait she painted, of Frank Ver Beck, is at the Royal Cornwall Museum.

Her art was also shown in a big exhibition in 1985. It was called Painting in Newlyn 1880–1930 and was held at the Barbican Centre. This shows that her work is still important and remembered today.