Conversations | Ruth Le Roux

Ruth is an artist living in Oakland, CA

Describe your work as if you're speaking to a 5 year old.

I usually get the 5 year old to describe it to me - and they always do a much better job.

Your preferred method of getting that good creative vibe going.

I strongly believe that inspiration follows action. I hit the studio with a good playlist whether I want to or not. I usually get into it after a while but if I’m fucking something up, I stop.

One living artist or designer you want to have cocktails with.

Too many to pick one! But how about Thom Yorke?

What drives you absolutely nuts about the (art) world?

Pretentious words.

A quote or lyric that your brain won’t shake.

I said "like duck’s water off my back" last week. So I’m not a great one for remembering quotes/sayings/words in general.

Most recent song you've been listening to on repeat.

James Blake's Hummingbird.

Last book you read that you couldn't put down.

Vladimir by Julia May Jonas.

Recent life upgrade that's been a game changer.

My kid started making his own breakfast on weekends and lets me sleep in. LIFE CHANGING.

If you could teleport to any bar right now, which bar would it be and what would you be drinking?

Oooh always, always a dirty martini. Any old-fashioned bar with padded booths is going to do it for me.

Advice, compliment, insult... something that you will never forget.

My old boss once said, “Sounds like you’re making your problems mine.” He was a bit of a dick, but I do think it’s a good idea for people to try and problem solve on their own first before asking questions.

What podcast or show are you recommending that others may not have heard/seen?

I’m too embarrassed to tell anyone what mainstream media I digest on a daily basis. I need to listen to stuff that isn’t too hard to digest when I’m in the studio. I sometimes paint white lines for hours and hours a day, so I listen to a lot of nonsense.

If someone asks you to cook your "specialty" - what are you cooking?

I love cooking. I grew up with a huge veggie patch and milk in buckets from the farm nearby. Ideally I’m making something wholesome and simple - like a delicious soup with homemade chicken stock. Or anything Ottolenghi recommends.

What was the most memorable field trip you can remember?

I was raised in the wine lands of South Africa so nobody in the USA believes me that our first field trip in Grade 1 was to one of the kids in my class’ wine farm where we learned how wine was made and got to taste it. The following year it was to another kid’s tobacco farm where we learned how to roll a cigarette. We got to take the cigarette home and I smoked it in my bedroom. Different times, different times…

A piece of art in your home that you LOVE.

This Alicia McCarthy print.

Check out more of Ruth's work here.